The Birth Story of Hakata Spice

LIFE IN AUSTRALIA:
Born and raised in Japan, I decided to take a break from my career in my late twenties and moved to Melbourne, Australia, with my wife, where we lived for about seven years. In Australia, I worked as an area manager and product buyer for a Japanese retail company, overseeing approximately seven stores. I was responsible for ordering and selling a variety of products, constantly thinking about what customers would prefer.

There are still many wonderful products in Japan that, for various reasons, are not sold abroad. I believed that selling such products would bring joy to many people.

Life as a Stay-at-Home Dad:
Our child was born in Australia, but the following year we had to return to Japan due to visa issues. The sudden return left me feeling unsettled, so I decided to take a break from work and focus on childcare as a stay-at-home dad. Raising a child was incredibly challenging. When childcare is added to household chores, even simple tasks can be delayed. Cooking every day was particularly difficult, making me realize how demanding parenting truly is.

HAKATA, FUKUOKA:
Before moving to Australia, I lived in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka Prefecture, and returned there upon coming back to Japan. Hakata is famous for its Tonkotsu ramen. It also boasts many other delicious foods like Mizutaki, Motsunabe, Mentaiko, Udon, and fresh seafood, making it a popular place. Nowadays, Tonkotsu ramen is famous worldwide, and the name Hakata has spread globally. The number of tourists from both Japan and abroad continues to increase, making it the number one city in Japan for population growth.

The Birth of Hakata Spice!
Starting life again in Japan and raising my child, I frequently pondered what I should do next. I always had a desire to sell more attractive Japanese products and make many people happy, a feeling that lingered from my time working in Australia.

One day, I received a gift from an Australian friend who loved Japan – a recommended Japanese mixed spice. It was a unique product that used powdered soy sauce, and just sprinkling it on meat resulted in a deliciously finished Japanese-style steak. It also paired well with vegetables and egg dishes, making me realize it was a great product. The manufacturer was a soy sauce factory with over 130 years of history. When I inquired with them, I learned that their technique of crystallizing powdered soy sauce was unique, allowing it to be blended as a mixed spice.

From my years of experience as a buyer, I instinctively knew this product would be loved by many people, both domestically and internationally! I then directly consulted with the factory and requested their cooperation in manufacturing. They created multiple samples with different blends, and after tasting them, we developed a well-balanced mixture in terms of aroma, umami, and spiciness. Our focus was on ensuring the spice could be enjoyed even at breakfast without leaving a garlic smell and that it would be mild enough for children. By blending more than ten carefully selected spices and herbs with crystallized powdered soy sauce as an accent, we created a very delicious spice.

It's a magic-like spice that makes cooking delicious dishes easy with just a sprinkle. I named this spice born in Hakata, "Hakata Spice - JAPANESE HAKATA SPICE."