The "Shrimp Shrimp Aquaculture Production Association" (Gosho, Hirosaki City)'s "fishing pond of shrimp shrimp" is now busier than usual.

In March 1987 (Showa 62), the union started shrimp aquaculture as part of the “Muraokoshi Project” of the former Soma Village (now Hirosaki City). According to the current president of the association, Takaho Yamazaki, the 10 members at the beginning of the inauguration are now Mr. Yamazaki.

Mr. Yamazaki said, “We focused on the cultivation of freshwater shrimp as a new special product that utilizes local hot spring water. By adding groundwater to the hot spring water and maintaining the water temperature at about 30 degrees a year, 60,000 a year is cultivated. The background to the project was the memories of the former Soma village where I spent my childhood."

“When I was a kid, there were lobsters and yamame trout in nearby rice fields and rivers, and I used to catch and eat and grow them. I especially liked to grow shrimps and crabs,” says Yamazaki.

The freshwater shrimp is a large species of freshwater shrimp, and some males grow up to about 30 cm in length. "It lives mainly in Southeast Asia and is often used for Chinese and Thai dishes, and grows to an edible size in about 6 months," he said. Mr. Yamazaki, who runs a construction shop and an apple farmer, says that he farms during the winter when there is no farming.

According to Mr. Yamazaki, there were 30 union shrimp aquaculture farms all over Japan in the past, but now only Mr. Yamazaki's union. "I have succeeded in aquaculture using hot spring water. I have been able to wipe out shrimp twice due to mechanical trouble twice in 30 years, but I am still continuing with my friends' help," says Yamazaki.

This is the 9th year of the fishing pond of the shrimp, which started when the grandson became elementary school and started business. "In recent years, there are few extracurricular lessons where we can come into contact with nature at school, and there are few children who play outside. There is no opportunity to catch insects and fish or eat on the spot. I wanted people to know about nature." Now, it is said that visitors from the prefecture as well as foreigners come as a group.

It marks the 30th anniversary, and there are more opportunities to be introduced on local TV and newspapers, and it is said that it now has more than twice the number of customers as usual. Resort facilities "star and forests of the Roman Topia" (Mizukizaike) "Oni prawn Kaiseki Plan", which had planned to offer in the not catch up aquaculture is currently the prospect of after October resume, are growing.

As for the future, “I want to increase the number of people who are interested in the shrimp farming a little, so I do not refuse anything coming. Thanks to all inquiries from all over the country. I seem to have helped me. Then, I will spare my cooperation this time."

Business hours are from 9:00 to 17:00. The fee is 1,000 yen for every 5 animals, and the cooking fee is 100 yen. Open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from April to September.