On November 2 & 3, Hokusei Japan participated in a "Portland Day" event that took place in Tokyo's trendy Jiyugaoka neighborhood. The 2-day event was sponsored by Travel Portland, and was blessed with fantastic weather. The event's program featured a rich combination of a on-site pop-up marketplace, a DIY/crafting session, and presentations about Portland by craftspersons, food & beverage [...]
On October 26, Hokusei North America and its parent company, Hokusei Products of Japan, hosted a webinar for professional beer brewers in Japan. The main focus of the webinar was non-alcoholic beers, which are increasingly popular in the United States. In fact the number of Americans drinking a non-alcoholic beer at least once a week increased eightfold between 2020 and [...]
In late-September, Hokusei North America hosted Masahiro Kusunose, the founder of Uchu Brewing one of Japan's most popular craft breweries, located in Yamanashi Prefecture. The purpose of Kusunose-san's visit was to learn more about Oregon's craft beer market, including newly-founded breweries, hop selection, and Oregon Fruit Products' purees. The Hokusei North America team took Kusunose-san on a visit/tour of [...]
This, month, Portland's renowned Japanese Garden celebrated its 60th anniversary. Founded in 1963, less than 20 years after the end of World War II, the garden was established to strengthen ties between Portland and Japan. Built on the former site of the Portland Zoo, the 12 acre garden has become one of Portland's most popular tourist destinations. Over the decades, [...]
Earlier this summer, Oregon Fruit Products announced the launch of a new puree packaging format, 1.5 liter pouches. These pouches we designed for clients that do not have the need to purchase standard-sized 42 lb. cartons of a puree at a time, or simply do not have the space for larger packaging, such as many food & beverage establishments in [...]
In Japan, O-Bon is an annual Buddhist event that takes place in August, to honor one's ancestors, and pray for their souls. In Japanese culture, ancestors' spirits are believed to temporarily return to this world to visit their relatives and descendants during O-Bon. As such, it is considered to be one of the most important holidays in Japan, marked by [...]
On July 21 (Fri), the Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO) will once again host its annual beer garden event. This year's beer garden will feature a number of Japanese dishes for attendees, as well as musical performances. Of course, the "star" of the event will be beer. Beer at this year's event will include an IPA (India Pale Ale) and [...]
Hokusei Products in Japan has partnered with Portland Gear to offer the apparel maker's products at the "Sustainable City Portland Week" event to be held at the Tokyu Plaza near Shibuya Station in Tokyo, from July 18 - 26. Hokusei Products' relationship with Portland Gear goes back to 2017, when Hokusei first imported Portland Gear's products for a Portland-related [...]
This week, Hokusei North America welcomes a team member from its parent company, Hokusei Products in Japan. While in Portland, our Japan-side team member will learn first-hand about Hokusei North America's business, its customers & suppliers, as well as exploring new opportunities. This will include visits to Oregon Fruit Products in Salem, Ore. as well as to the Portland Japanese [...]
The Portland Japanese Garden recently announced the return of its Behind the Shoji event, taking place from July 1 - September 4, 2023. This annual event is to be held in the garden's Pavilion Gallery, and is a show and sale of Japanese art and handicrafts, which according the Japanese Garden's website includes, textiles, prints, clothing, ceramics, home décor, [...]