#ice factory

ice factory

Health Goods & Ice Wholesaler: Hattori Ice

Location: Shimoda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan Timestamp: 16:43 on June 6, 2023

The primary focus of the store is the production of ice, which is crucial for preserving the freshness of the morning's catch on seagoing fishing vessels. The catch is sorted into containers and loaded with fresh ice before being shipped by truck to auction houses, distribution centers, and eventually reaching restaurants and supermarkets.

The store front has a nostalgic charm reminiscent of dagashiya (駄菓子屋/mom-and-pop candy stores in residential neighborhoods), where school children gather on their way home from school to buy cheap snacks while chatting with each other and the elderly owner, often an elderly lady, who runs the shop from the front of her house.

The shop also sells a variety of drinks, including ice cream, as well as some unique beverages such as milk protein drink (雪印カルパワー), Q’sai kale juice (キューサイ青汁), a nutritional drink made from freshwater algae (保健食品クロレラミンCVE), and even offers propane delivery (灯油) for home heating.

During the ‘80s and ‘90s, Q'sai kale juice (Kyusai aojiru) gained immense popularity in the Japanese market, largely due to a memorable TV commercial. The ad prominently featured Nobuo Yana, a renowned film actor and former baseball player, who portrayed the role of a yakuza member (often known for playing villainous characters in movies). Yana's catchphrase, "まずい！もう一杯" (Horrible! I'll have another one), became synonymous with the product. This TV commercial evokes nostalgic memories from my younger years and the Showa Era.

For source material, further reading, and geotagged locations, please visit the Pix4Japan blog. You'll find the link in the Bio section.

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