A family business that manufactures and sells natto in Muroran. I used to enjoy Naito-san's natto a lot during my time in Muroran. Last month, I casually watched NHK and saw... Naito-san being featured on TV! And it seems they are facing financial difficulties? On January 14th, a tweet was posted saying... "Bad news] Emergency loan denied orz It's getting really tough with the cash flow ＼(^o^)／" Despite the bad news, ＼(^o^)／← this emoticon was used... The TV show mentioned that the eldest daughter talked about "being defiant" and said, "To make good products, it costs money!" "If we produce cheap versions, we can't really make delicious natto!" But the banks have been denying loans. So, the tweet mentioned above was posted. Then, many fans of Naito Natto started to offer support and encouragement. Their passionate desire to provide delicious natto made with Hokkaido-grown and domestically grown soybeans, rather than relying on cheap imported soybeans, moved the hearts of the fans. Knowing this, I also wanted to do something to help, as I used to enjoy Naito-san's natto when I lived in Muroran. So, I headed to Omamui Water in Muroran. I said, "Oh, nostalgic Omamui Water... it looks deserted now." My wife said, "Is it around here?" I said, "It might not be sold here since it's a manufacturing plant." My wife said, "Stop! I'm going in!" So my wife opened the door like a regular residential house. There were two call buttons, but only one was supposed to be pressed (^^;; When she pressed the button, the eldest daughter, who was on TV, appeared from the second floor! She told us the stock based on the natto promotion poster outside. We were able to get some of the available items for now. However, unfortunately, the popular "Hokkaido Leek Miso Natto" (Kamui Natto) was out of stock due to a shortage of the ingredient "leeks." It's popular! Even though we came all the way to buy it... the eldest daughter kindly gave us a file of Kamui Natto, which is not for sale!! Thank you very much for your kind hospitality, eldest daughter! I'm sorry to receive such a valuable file! *See the photo for reference* Kitanokamui→http://kitanokamui.com/ I have no idea about this anime at all (^^;; It seems to be an anime that promotes Hokkaido (^^;; With that said, we were able to get three types of natto at the factory. We searched around supermarkets in Muroran to get the others (^^;; ◇ Our Town Natto This natto is made with large Hokkaido-grown soybeans, deliberately focusing on the natural "sweetness" that freshly steamed soybeans have. It maximizes the original flavor of the soybeans. That's why this natto doesn't come with "sauce"! Try to taste the original flavor of soybeans. It has won many awards. ◇ Health Promotion Natto Traditional natto made from domestically grown soybeans that have been matured and fermented. ◇ Hikiwari Natto Made from Hokkaido-grown Hikiwari soybeans. It is easy to use in cooking. ◇ Pair Natto A two-layered natto made from small Hokkaido-grown soybeans. ◇ Hikiwari Pair Natto A two-layered Hikiwari natto made from Hokkaido-grown Hikiwari soybeans. The stores that carry these products are limited to Hokkaido, so those outside of Hokkaido will have to use mail order. ※ Excluding Hokkaido product exhibitions, etc. Hokkaido: Aeon group, MaxValu group, Co-op Sapporo group, Arcs group (various stores near Muroran), Muroran Nagasaki-ya, Marui Imai, Daimaru Sapporo, individual shops in Muroran, etc. Mail order: http://naito-shokuhin.com/tuuhan.html I really hope they can do their best no matter what!

On the second day of my hot spring trip in January 2016, I ended up in Muroran without any specific destination in mind. I had a hearty breakfast, so I decided I didn't need lunch. I searched for something to snack on in the evening but couldn't find anything. I visited a natto shop that I had been curious about, but they didn't seem to be selling any. I ended up buying a pack of three natto at a nearby supermarket for less than 200 yen. The natto was made from domestically grown soybeans and the beans were plump and sticky. Surprisingly, it didn't come with any sauce. I learned that they wanted customers to enjoy the pure taste of natto without any sauce or soy sauce. It was a unique and interesting experience, although it may take some getting used to. I would like to try this natto again in the future.

In 2016, the 16th National Natto Council awarded the Excellence Award to "Ora ga Machi" using locally grown soybeans 45g x 3. This company is well-known in Muroran. The local bank should support them. I heard that they were denied a new loan even though they had paid off their debt. It's hard to understand the criteria. The eldest daughter of Naito Foods was also turned down for a loan. It seems difficult to purchase their products. I bought it at the "AEON Moiwa" store this time. I sometimes find it interesting how AEON decides which products to carry. The "Ora ga Machi" natto and soybeans are larger than usual and have a satisfying taste. They do not use genetically modified soybeans, but instead use soybeans from Hokkaido, which is important. The price at AEON is 213 yen, which may be higher than what I usually pay, but I think it is a fair price. I will continue to support them and purchase their products.

At the end of the year, when I went to Tomakomai to Muroran, I remembered and bought it at a local supermarket. It's Naito Food Industry @ Motomoi Station area. I saw Marbo-san's review and bookmarked it. It wasn't sold at supermarkets in Sapporo, so when I went to the Muroran area this time, I bought it at the supermarket. (It's about 200 yen for 45g x 3p, a bit on the expensive side for natto) (I went to the register without checking the price, like Marbo-san (laughs)...) [Product] Product name: Our Town Contents: 45g x 3p Ingredients: Made with Hokkaido soybeans It says "Winner of the 15th National Natto Appraisal Competition" and it seems to have won the "Best Award" on February 5, 2010, about 5 years ago... I want to try it. [At home] I opened it and was surprised, oh... there's no sauce or mustard in it. Well, natto doesn't necessarily have to have sauce or mustard, but how should I eat it... I thought. - Mix and eat as is... I tried it. When I thought about it, I remembered that I always added sauce when eating. Actually, when I ate it as is, I could feel the taste and texture of the beans directly. Because it's large natto, you can feel the texture and taste of the beans firmly. I don't know the evaluation points of the appraisal competition, but it's delicious natto. After that, I added eggs and a little soy sauce as usual, but unlike the usual small natto, I felt a rich texture and tasted the flavor of the beans. Is it my imagination??? No, it must be true. Oh, it might be delicious after all (^^♪ [I'll buy it again] Marbo-san mentioned it in other reviews, so I'll buy it again. Thank you for the meal (^^ゞ

I am a heavy user of natto (^0_0^) I have loved natto since I was a child, and about five years ago I discovered this natto and have been buying it in bulk every time I come to Muroran, along with the natto from Horobetsu (laughs). Naito Foods sells retail, but it seems to be available at Co-op Sapporo and Aeon Group stores in the Muroran area. I personally always go to "Co-op Sapporo Higashi-Muroran Store". What I always buy is "Our Town" and "Step Towards Health". Both come in packs of 3 with 45g each, for 200 yen (including tax) (*^^)v Our Town... made with Hokkaido large soybeans, sweet with a plump texture, allowing you to taste the "beans". It has won the highest award, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, at the National Natto Appraisal Competition. Step Towards Health... made with Hokkaido soybeans, very small in size but brings out the flavor of the soybeans. If you have the chance, please try them. For your information, natto can be stored in the freezer, and when eating, let it thaw naturally in the refrigerator. When grating it as a side dish for alcohol, natto with wasabi soy sauce is recommended (laughs).

I'm at Naito Shokuhin Kogyo in Kitami. I promised myself to work hard on my Tabelog activities, but when I have a little free time, I end up wandering into Aeon even though I don't look like I belong there. And guess what I found - natto! They have it here and I'm grateful for that. This is the store in Muroran. It's my breakfast. I was so happy when I opened it - the beans are big. I feel like Betsukai is the place for natto. The texture is just right - not too soft, not too hard. It's perfect. If it had a stronger bean smell, it would be even better, but for this price, I can't ask for more. It's delicious natto.

On January 20th, I hurriedly placed an order on the company's web shop that had become a hot topic online. However, it seems that production is already struggling to keep up. Finally, the product arrived and was placed on the dining table. By January 28th, it was even featured on a lunchtime TV show, and as a result, at the time of posting, there is a wait of up to 3 months. I hope that this opportunity will not just be a passing trend, and that the company will gain true customers. I wish them the best of luck.

I found Naito's natto from Muroran being sold at the supermarket. Next to it, there was Tsurunoko Natto from Mamekura, priced at 127 yen, while Naito's Our Town Natto was priced at 213 yen, which is higher. It makes me wonder, considering they are both similar large-grain Hokkaido natto. Tsurunoko Natto won the top prize at the National Natto Appraisal Competition in 2012, which created a buzz. Our Town Natto also won an award at the same competition in 2011. It seems that only the top prize winners get attention. The difference might be significant. The packaging depicts scenes of Muroran's streets, which is fun. Either way, both companies are working hard to make delicious natto from Hokkaido's tasty soybeans.

Recently, I have become interested in natto and have been trying out different varieties. It all started when I saw this restaurant's "Hokkaido Negi Miso Natto" on TV. I've never had natto with miso before, and the fact that they seem to be very particular about how they make it piqued my interest. When I went to a supermarket in Muroran City, I saw the "Hokkaido Negi Miso Natto" displayed on the shelves. However, it was a luxury item priced at over 300 yen for a pack of 3. And it had an anime design... which didn't really spark my buying interest (laughs). But then, right next to it, I found the same restaurant's "Pori Natto" for 120 yen (see photo 1). The natto wrapped in wooden packaging felt nostalgic, so I decided to buy it. When I opened it, I was surprised. What is this? What's going on here? The natto wasn't wrapped in wooden packaging, but rather placed in a poly bag with holes, which was then wrapped in wooden packaging to create the outer shell. It was a unique packaging that made it difficult for someone used to natto in packs to figure out how to open it. The beans were medium to small in size, and the scent of the wooden packaging was nostalgic. The beans were more sticky and flavorful than soft, leaving a strong impression. Since the package didn't specify the origin of the beans, they were probably imported, but they were delicious. This experience led me to dive headfirst into the world of natto. I also tried "Mugi Natto" and "Kaikei e no Kakehashi" (forgot to take photos, and the prices slipped my mind). They were delicious, but not quite to my liking. The "Ora ga Machi" natto, which won the top prize at the 15th National Natto Appraisal Competition and the 2010 Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, is made using Hokkaido soybeans. The large, plump beans were soft and tasty. However, on that particular day, or maybe it was just me, there was a slight bitterness in the beans towards the back... One day, the "Hokkaido Negi Miso Natto" was on sale for 20% off, so I finally bought it (still 265 yen though). The soybeans were small Hokkaido-grown ones. I prefer mild flavors, so I added about 60% of the included negi miso. Wow! The stickiness was incredible, absolutely incredible! I don't usually look for that much stickiness in natto, but for those who do, this natto delivers. The taste was good. But it was so salty! If you add all the included sauce, you could probably eat about 2 bowls of rice with one pack... Well, I can't eat that much in one sitting, but it's just so salty. My husband, who is more tolerant of salt than I am, finished the remaining 2 packs, but he said he prefers the regular soy sauce flavor. After comparing and tasting 5 varieties, both my husband and I liked the Pori Natto the best (although the beans themselves in the "Hokkaido Negi Miso Natto" were the most delicious, we prefer the soy sauce flavor, so we found the "Hokkaido Negi Miso Natto" with soy sauce less cost-effective). It is worth noting that the tofu shop "Naito Honten" in Muroran City's Hinode-cho, which I often mention, is a different store. However, they are likely related in some way. According to a friend, they may be relatives of the former boxing champion Naito, but this is not confirmed. *At the time of posting, I rated the taste and overall evaluation as ★3.4, but considering the comparison with other stores, I will adjust it to ★3.6.