[Jinsekikogen Town, Hiroshima] Enjoying the 'Phantom Fruit' Pawpaw through Its Flowers: A Rare Dried Flower Making Event Held

Under the regional revitalization DAO solution developed by ALUM Inc. (Headquarters: Sapporo City, CEO: Hiroaki Hatanaka), which promotes regional revitalization through NFTs, DAO manager sabii of Jinsekikogen Town, Hiroshima Prefecture, held a dried flower making event on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The event featured flowers of the rare 'Pawpaw' fruit, native to North America, and took place at the local literary facility 'Shimari.' The Pawpaw is a fruit known for its rich, sweet flavor resembling a cross between a mango and a banana. Due to its perishability and low distribution volume, it is often called the 'phantom fruit.' Sabii views the Pawpaw as a valuable regional resource and has launched the 'Popo-mo' project centered around it. Supporters of the project are affectionately named 'Popo-modachi,' and the circle of peers is gradually expanding. This article covers the background of the event, highlights from the day, participants' feedback, and plans for next year and beyond. Inspiration for the Event ─ Captivated by the Beauty of Pawpaw Flowers While the Pawpaw fruit tends to draw the most attention, its flowers are equally rare, blooming only for a short period between April and May. The event seized this precise moment to convey a new appeal of the Pawpaw. 'The Pawpaw is perfect—its flowers, fruit, leaves, and even its name are all charming,' said sabii. The day successfully brought out a new side of the Pawpaw within its life cycle, where leaves spread after the flowers fall, leading to fruit bearing in the autumn. Why the 'Pawpaw'? ─ Encounter with the 'Phantom Fruit' and the 'Popo-mo' Project Sabii's focus on the Pawpaw was sparked by an encounter at a local roadside station, where the incredible taste left a lasting impression. 'It tastes like a mix between a mango and a banana—very rich, sweet, and delicious. Despite being so tasty, it has surprisingly low recognition and isn't getting much attention. That made me want to do something with the Pawpaw,' sabii explained. Native to North America, the Pawpaw is believed to have been brought to Japan during the Meiji era. Because it is highly nutritious and easy to grow, it is now cultivated in various parts of Japan, including Jinsekikogen Town. Initially, the project began with the idea of creating 'Pawpaw Monaka' (a traditional Japanese sweet) under the product name 'Popo-mo.' Through trial and error, 'Popo-mo' is now positioned as an open brand not limited to Monaka, aiming for the development of various 'Popo-mo' products. Furthermore, a gathering called 'Cafe Popo-mo,' where local residents casually brew and drink coffee, has emerged in the town, slowly solidifying lateral community connections centered around the brand. Event Highlights ─ Pawpaw Flower Dried Flower Making at the Literary Museum 'Shimari' The venue was 'Shimari,' a literary facility in Jinsekikogen Town associated with Masuji Ibuse's novel 'Black Rain.' 'Black Rain' is a novel based on the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and Jinsekikogen Town serves as one of its settings. Although Shimari exhibits valuable materials related to the novel, it remains relatively unknown even among local residents. Using it as the event space was partly driven by the hope that it would encourage more people to visit the facility. The dried flower making process utilized powdered desiccant available at home centers. By burying the Pawpaw flowers in the powder and leaving them for about a week, the dried flowers are completed faster than natural drying (which typically takes 1-2 months) and retain their vibrant colors. Pawpaw flowers are characterized by a unique, deep reddish-brown hue and an adorable size that fits in the palm of a hand, described as 'a somewhat exotic flower rarely seen in the city.' Participants' Feedback 'I participated thinking it would be preparation for natural drying! It was a day of new discoveries, realizing this is what it means to learn from an instructor of a different generation.' 'Except for hanging things upside down, this was my first time making dried flowers, and with such a rare flower like the Pawpaw! I can't wait for the finished product!' Unlike the common perception of 'taking time for natural drying,' the method using desiccant was a fresh discovery for the participants. The completion in about a week is highly anticipated. Future Prospects ─ Observing the 'Pawpaw Festival' in the US and Bringing it to Jinsekikogen In North America, the native home of the Pawpaw, 'Pawpaw Festivals' are held in various locations during the harvest season in September and October. Sabii plans to visit the sites this year to observe. Bringing back the insights gained there, the goal is to host a 'Pawpaw Festival' in Jinsekikogen Town in 2027. The day when Jinsekikogen becomes known as a town of Pawpaw might be near. The Pawpaw flower dried flower making may also be further refined next year and could even make an appearance at the Pawpaw Festival.