Mr. Katsuyuki Isogai・Mrs. Hamako Isogai
(Tsurugi Town)

Isogai family’s house is located about 400 meters above sea level in the village of Mikidochi. Their surname "Isogai" reminds of the sea is strange because they have a house on a mountain, but Hamako said, "Our ancestors migrated from the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture". Looking through the old records, we can see that their ancestors migrated to this area more than 400 years ago. Katsuyuki said, "They were the first people to enter this village, so our business name is “Omoya”. My great-grandfather collected the land tax around this area and went to Wakimachi with his sword to pay it in.”

Living here has a lot of work to do throughout the year. During the winter, they make dried products such as dried radishes and dried sweet potatoes, as well as processed products such as miso and soybean flour candy. As spring approaches, they plant Goushu potatoes (small sized potatoes). Sowing seeds, making seedlings, and planting vegetables. As summer approaches, they sow Takakibi, Awa, and Kokibi, and also pick green tea. Later, they grow Azuki beans, soybeans, and buckwheat and in the fall, they produce Hadaka wheat and dried persimmons. In between, they cut Kaya to make Koeguro and spread it over the fields.

Hamako said, “As the old people used to say, "If there are hundreds of farmers, we have hundreds of products". We produce almost everything. Everything that is grown here is delicious from cabbages to carrots". According to Katsuyuki, the soil is moistened by rainfall without watering so that the benefits of putting kaya in the field are amazing.

“We put the Kaya in the field so it never dries up." It's ancient wisdom."

Isogai family also welcomes hands-on educational tours, and they interact with students on school trips from the urbane city through farm work.
They strongly insisted, "We need to raise children who are interested in farming" and it is important to continue this wonderful Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.