For health, I want to eat things that are good for the body!
Even those who usually do not care about health may have thought about it when they feel unwell.
But what exactly are foods that are good for the body?
Vegetables? Organic foods? Or domestic products?
Perhaps some of you answered, "Fermented foods!"
You may have heard that fermented foods are good for the body, but you might not know the details.
I encountered a store called "Tabi no Kusuribako" that carefully explains and approaches that "somehow seems good for the body."
Introducing Tabi no Kusuribako, which focuses on fermented foods that are essential to Japanese dietary habits and health.
Tabi no Kusuribako is a store focused on "fermentation"
Tabi no Kusuribako opened in December 2021 in the Bikan Historical Area.
It is one of the stores of TRY Co., Ltd., which has tenants in the Bikan Historical Area, such as Toraiyahompo Main Store.
At the store, you can purchase foods centered around fermented foods and takeout sweets and drinks.
Koji is made by fermenting steamed rice and other grains with microorganisms (koji mold).
When koji mold transforms rice into koji, it produces enzymes.
These enzymes are said to work when making fermented foods derived from koji.
Fermentation has effects such as enhancing the umami of foods, increasing nutritional value, improving preservation, and regulating the intestinal environment of humans.
"Koji" is a kanji that can be used for all types of koji, while "糀" is used only for rice koji.
In this article, kanji will be used according to the product names of the store.
Tabi no Kusuribako is said to be conducting research on fermentation centered around koji and promoting health for enjoying travel for a long time.
Products available at Tabi no Kusuribako
The products at Tabi no Kusuribako are mainly homemade and fermented foods produced in Okayama Prefecture.
Some non-fermented foods are also sold.
Sale of Homemade Koji by Weight
Upon entering the store, the large showcase catches your eye.
On the upper shelf, a variety of fermented seasonings in brown, black, and yellowish hues are lined up.
These fermented seasonings are said to be homemade.
The fermented seasonings are sold by weight.
If you want to purchase koji, please bring a bottle.
If you don't have a bottle, that's okay. You can buy an empty bottle to have the koji put in.
If you're worried about whether it will suit your taste, you can try a sample, so there's no need to worry.
Fermented Foods and Seasonings
The store also sells fermented foods.
There are many products from Okayama Prefecture, making them perfect not only for home use but also as souvenirs.
▼ There was a bright red design that caught the eye, Sato Beni Shoten's yuzu pepper (produced in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture).
The author enjoys it best when eaten with somen noodles.
▼ I discovered "Mama Chobi," which is like anchovy!
The name "Mama" seems to be derived from the representative fish of Okayama, "Mamakari."
Salted and fermented mackerel is soaked in olive oil.
It looks cute and is a product characteristic of Okayama, so the author gifted it to friends outside the prefecture.
It seems to be made in Kojima, Kurashiki City.
In addition to fermented foods made from olives and dried shiitake mushrooms from Kurashiki City, there are also seasonings from inside and outside Okayama Prefecture.
Since the products use minimal additives, they seem to be good for the body.
Takeout Menu of Travel Medicine Box
Travel Medicine Box offers a takeout menu with koji.
Let me introduce some items from the menu.
Amazake Latte
Amazake latte, a hot drink.
It contains no sugar, and the sweetness comes from the koji.
It has a gentle sweetness that warms you up.
It seems to use sake lees from daiginjo sake and is mixed with soy milk.
With ginger added, it is especially recommended for cold winter days.
Fermented Craft Cola
Doesn't the name pique your interest?
Just hearing "craft cola" makes you curious, but is it really a fermented drink?
This cola contains several spices such as cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, along with lemon, orange, and ginger.
It is completely different from Coca-Cola. The spices are strong, and it seems to invigorate you.
The sweetness of the fermented craft cola comes from amazake and brown sugar, using sweeteners that are less burdensome on the body.
Raspberry × Black Koji Soft Serve
The author has eaten all sorts of unique soft serve ice creams, but this is the first time trying one with koji!
Chopped chocolate is sprinkled on top.
Because it contains black koji, it has a sweet and sour flavor reminiscent of rare cheesecake.
With just the right amount of sweetness, I finished it in no time.
Tsujiri Matcha × Sweet Koji Soft Serve
This soft serve was such that you couldn't tell it contained koji just by eating it.
It seems that koji is blended in a way that does not compromise the flavor of the matcha.
As a result, you can truly appreciate the depth of the matcha.
Accompanied by sweet red bean paste and shiratama (rice dumplings), it enhances the appeal of the matcha.
This soft serve utilizes the sweetness of koji.
Since it contains healthy koji, even those on a diet might be able to enjoy it without guilt.
Travel Medicine Box, which focuses on koji, an essential part of Japanese dietary life, has opened in the Bikan Historical Area.
I interviewed the president, Tomio Kusudo, and the store manager, Katsuyuki Washino.
Data of the Travel Medicine Box
| Name | Travel Medicine Box |
|---|---|
| Address | 5-15 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-454-5636 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Monday If a holiday, open |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Travel Medicine Box |
