[Important] Responding to Declining Sea Urchin Catches, a New Way to Enjoy Natural Rishiri Abalone is Proposed: "Natural Rishiri Abalone Shabu-Shabu with Rishiri Kombu Broth and Special Liver Sauce" Available as a Rishiri Fuji Town Hometown Tax Donation Gift from Sunday, March 29th
Souplesse, in collaboration with Rishiri Fuji Town, is launching a new hometown tax donation gift: Natural Rishiri Abalone Shabu-Shabu, linked to a TV program.
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- 📰 Published: March 29, 2026 at 22:00
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Souplesse Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sapporo, hereinafter referred to as "Souplesse") has collaborated with Rishiri Fuji Town, Hokkaido, to plan and develop the hometown tax donation gift "Natural Rishiri Abalone Shabu-Shabu with Rishiri Kombu Broth and Special Liver Sauce," and will begin accepting donations from Sunday, March 29th.
This gift is based on the "Abalone Shabu-Shabu" developed in the Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting (hereinafter referred to as "UHB") food documentary program "Proud of Hokkaido's Food. -EXILE SHOKICHI's Journey of Food Creation- Rishiri Fuji Edition" (scheduled to air Sunday, March 29th, 13:00). It will be delivered as a set that allows you to enjoy natural Rishiri abalone, landed in the waters near Rishiri Island, with a Rishiri kombu-based broth, special liver sauce, and a finishing risotto. Against the backdrop of the regional challenge of declining sea urchin catches, this initiative aims to promote the culinary appeal of Rishiri Fuji Town nationwide by proposing a new way to enjoy natural Rishiri abalone, and to establish it as a new local specialty.
■ Gift Outline
Gift Name: Natural Rishiri Abalone Shabu-Shabu with Rishiri Kombu Broth and Special Liver Sauce (for 2 people)
Donation Amount: 30,000 yen
Quantity: 2,000 sets (limited quantity)
Donation Acceptance Start Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026, 13:00
Contents: Natural Rishiri Abalone (90g), Concentrated Rishiri Kombu Broth (50g), Special Liver Sauce (50g)
※Includes a leaflet with cooking instructions for enjoying at home.
Expiration Date: Stated on the product.
※Please consume as soon as possible after thawing.
Delivery Method: Frozen
Shipping Schedule: Scheduled for late June 2026
Donation Site: Please search for "Rakuten Furusato Nozei Rishiri Fuji Town" or scan the QR code below.
※Information is also available on the program's website.
※This set includes only sliced natural Rishiri abalone, concentrated Rishiri kombu broth, and special liver sauce. Vegetables, risotto cream, and cheese are not included. A list of necessary ingredients is provided in the enclosed leaflet.
■ Rishiri's Unique Growing Environment Supports the Deliciousness of Natural Rishiri Abalone
Abalone are shellfish that feed on seaweed. The environment and the seaweed they eat are said to influence the texture and quality of their flesh. The waters near Rishiri Island are where Rishiri kombu, known as a high-grade kelp, grows. Furthermore, the area has a unique marine environment where meltwater from Mt. Rishiri seeps from the seabed through the ground. Natural Rishiri abalone grown in this environment are characterized by their firm texture and rich umami. This gift proposes enjoying them lightly cooked through shabu-shabu to bring out their natural flavors.
■ Features of Natural Rishiri Abalone Shabu-Shabu
The main feature of this gift is the ability to enjoy natural Rishiri abalone through shabu-shabu, experiencing a variety of flavors that transition from Japanese to Western styles until the final course. Unlike typical meat shabu-shabu, natural Rishiri abalone is lightly dipped in the Rishiri kombu-based broth for just a few seconds, ensuring it's not overcooked and bringing out the abalone's unique texture and umami. This offers a distinct flavor profile different from sashimi or grilled dishes, along with a changing taste experience throughout the meal.
■ How to Enjoy
1. First, with Rishiri Kombu Broth
Start by lightly dipping the natural Rishiri abalone in the Rishiri kombu-based broth for a few seconds. This brief cooking process results in a tender yet slightly chewy texture, allowing you to enjoy the natural umami of the abalone along with the elegant flavor of the kombu.
2. Next, change the flavor with the Special Liver Sauce
Next, savor the abalone with the special liver sauce, made from abalone liver blended with butter and cream, mixed with ponzu sauce. This adds richness and depth, transforming the flavor from the initial bite into a more complex and profound taste.
3. Finally, finish with Risotto
The meal concludes with a risotto made from the broth infused with the umami of the abalone and vegetables. This final course allows you to fully savor the accumulated flavors, ensuring that the deliciousness of the natural Rishiri abalone is enjoyed to the fullest throughout the entire dish.
■ Background of Product Development
Rishiri Island is blessed with abundant marine delicacies known nationwide, such as Rishiri kombu and sea urchins. However, in recent years, due to changes in the marine environment, sea urchin catches have significantly decreased. According to the Rishiri Fisheries Cooperative, catches have fallen by more than 80% compared to 2022, posing a major challenge for the local fishery industry.
In light of this situation, Souplesse, through its interactions with the residents of Rishiri Fuji Town, focused on the natural Rishiri abalone landed in Rishiri Island. Natural Rishiri abalone, which feeds on Rishiri kombu, is a unique ingredient of Rishiri Island, possessing rich umami. Furthermore, the resource volume of Ezo abalone has increased by approximately 60% compared to 2022 in recent years, indicating growing potential as a new regional resource. However, due to its familiarity as a local ingredient, opportunities to effectively brand and promote its value externally have been limited. Souplesse recognized natural Rishiri abalone as a regional resource with high potential.
Souplesse has participated in UHB's "Proud of Hokkaido's Food." project and, based on the "Abalone Shabu-Shabu" developed in the program, planned and developed this product as a gift that proposes new charms of natural Rishiri abalone. By delivering not only the intrinsic value of the ingredients but also a unique way of enjoying them specific to Rishiri Fuji Town, the initiative aims to foster new utilization and promotion of regional resources.
■ Aiming for Establishment as a New Specialty of Rishiri Fuji Town
This initiative aims to broaden the appeal of natural Rishiri abalone from just a regional specialty to a culinary experience by proposing a unique way of enjoying it: "Abalone Shabu-Shabu" with Rishiri kombu broth. Beyond being offered as a hometown tax donation gift, the goal is to develop it into a signature dish available at local restaurants and accommodations, thereby fostering value circulation within the region, encompassing fisheries, food service, and tourism.
■ Program Overview
Title: "Proud of Hokkaido's Food. -EXILE SHOKICHI's Journey of Food Creation- Rishiri Fuji Edition"
Cast: EXILE SHOKICHI
Kan Yo / Kano Aya (President, Souplesse Co., Ltd.)
Broadcast Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026, 13:00 - 14:00
Duration: 60 minutes
Production: UHB Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting
Official HP: https://www.uhb.jp/program/syokusouzou
Official SNS: X @uhb_shokuso1 / Instagram | uhb_shokusozo1
■ Souplesse Co., Ltd.
Souplesse Co., Ltd., headquartered in Sapporo, Hokkaido, supports the regional revitalization of municipalities in Hokkaido, primarily through intermediary services for hometown tax donations, acting as a partner for local governments and businesses.
Through initiatives like this one, which unearth and combine existing regional values to create new value for Hokkaido, the company aims to promote Hokkaido's "town charm" both domestically and internationally.
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Company Name: Souplesse Co., Ltd.
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Location: Oriental Building 2F, 3-2-16 Atsubetsu Chuo, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
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Business Activities: Regional revitalization support for municipalities, primarily through hometown tax donation services.
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Souplesse Website: https://souplesse.jp/
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UHB Website: https://www.uhb.jp/program/syokusouzou/
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【Contact Information】
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Souplesse Co., Ltd.
Public Relations: Tomoko Akimoto
E-mail: akimoto@souplesse.jp
FAQ
When does the acceptance for the hometown tax donation gift "Natural Rishiri Abalone Shabu-Shabu with Rishiri Kombu Broth and Special Liver Sauce" begin?
Acceptance begins on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 13:00.
What are the contents of the gift?
The set includes Natural Rishiri Abalone (90g), Concentrated Rishiri Kombu Broth (50g), and Special Liver Sauce (50g). Vegetables, risotto cream, and cheese are not included.
How is this gift to be eaten?
First, lightly cook the natural Rishiri abalone in the Rishiri kombu broth as shabu-shabu, then enjoy it with the special liver sauce. Finally, finish with a risotto made from the broth. Detailed instructions are provided in the leaflet.
Why was this gift developed?
In recent years, sea urchin catches in Rishiri Island have been declining, posing a challenge for the local fishery industry. Therefore, focusing on natural Rishiri abalone, which is gaining attention as a new regional resource, this gift proposes "Abalone Shabu-Shabu" as a new way to enjoy it, aiming to promote the culinary appeal of Rishiri Fuji Town and establish it as a new local specialty.
Is there a connection to a TV program?
Yes, the product was planned and developed based on the "Abalone Shabu-Shabu" created in the UHB Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting program "Proud of Hokkaido's Food. -EXILE SHOKICHI's Journey of Food Creation- Rishiri Fuji Edition" (scheduled to air on Sunday, March 29th, at 13:00).