Kitahiroshima City's 30th Anniversary of City Establishment Commemorative Project First Kick-off Event! Featuring a Screening and Talk Show of a Film Starring Hiroyuki Morisaki!

What is the 30th Anniversary of City Establishment Commemorative Project?

As Reiwa 8 (2026) marks the 30th anniversary since the city was established on September 1, Heisei 8 (1996), we express our deep respect and gratitude for the virtues of the pioneers who have developed this town since their settlement from Hiroshima Prefecture in Meiji 17 (1884). We will commemorate the 30th anniversary of Kitahiroshima City with our citizens, wishing for the future development of Kitahiroshima City, and will implement commemorative ceremonies and city projects as anniversary initiatives.

About the Kick-off Event

The promotion of agriculture is deeply intertwined with the history of Kitahiroshima City. In the early Meiji era, in Hokkaido north of Dōnan, where rice cultivation was considered impossible due to the cool climate, a person named Kyuzo Nakayama succeeded in stable rice cultivation for the first time with "Akage Mai" (Red Grain Rice). He distributed the seeds for free to pioneering immigrants, which led to the spread of rice cultivation throughout the prefecture, making this the birthplace of cold-region rice cultivation.

For this kick-off event, Hiroyuki Morisaki, who appears on the agricultural-themed TV program "Agri Kingdom Hokkaido" (currently "Agri Kingdom Hokkaido NEXT"), which has been broadcast since 2008, will serve as a guest. A film version of Agri Kingdom, for which he served as navigator, will be screened, followed by a talk show. As this is an independently distributed film, this will be a valuable screening opportunity with few chances to view it.

We planned this event to allow everyone to reflect on the wonders of agriculture and the identity of Kitahiroshima City through watching the movie, and to look towards the city's future with a bright and forward-looking talk by Morisaki, who, as the leader of "TEAM NACS," will also celebrate his 30th anniversary in March 2026, coinciding with the city's.

Hokkaido rice's roots! Cold-region rice cultivation starts from Kitahiroshima City!

Introduction to the Agri Kingdom Hokkaido Film Version

The TV program "Agri Kingdom Hokkaido NEXT," which has been broadcast by Hokkaido Broadcasting (HBC) since 2008, focusing on Hokkaido's agriculture and livestock industry, was made into a movie in its 18th year in 2025 and premiered at the Hokkaido Foodie Festival.

This is a documentary that records Hokkaido's rich land and the passion of its producers, centered around five traditional vegetables passed down in Sapporo: Sapporo Ki, Sapporo Okyu, Sapporo Midori, Sapporo Daicho Nanban, and Sapporo Shiro Gobo. The navigator is Hiroyuki Morisaki (TEAM NACS). Appearing as the chef is Hiroyuki Tsukada, a renowned chef from Sapporo. Chef Tsukada visits producers, handles vegetables in the fields, and travels around Hokkaido, encountering traditional vegetables, Shihoro beef, and vegetables from Furano, fusing them all to complete an "ultimate dish." It is not just about conveying the charm of the ingredients, but a "food story" that embeds the producers' feelings, the land's history, and hope for the future into a single dish. It is a film that allows viewers to rediscover the value of Hokkaido's bountiful land and food culture through the screen.

Hiroyuki Morisaki, who gives lectures conveying the wonders of Hokkaido agriculture and the importance of food education nationwide.

Kitahiroshima City's 30th Anniversary of City Establishment Commemorative Project Kick-off Event: Film Screening & Talk Show

Date and Time: Saturday, April 25, Reiwa 8 (2026)

Film Screening: 10:30 - 12:05

Talk Show: 12:20 - 13:00

Venue: Kitahiroshima City Arts and Culture Hall

Screening Film: Agri Kingdom Hokkaido ~The Reason Why a Certain Chef's Cooking is So Delicious~

Application Method: Apply via the application form by Monday, April 13th.