" Agurin Village "is a locally-based direct sales store located in Nagakute City, Aichi Prefecture. Nagakute City is approximately 30 minutes by train from Nagoya Station. It is a commuter town in the suburbs blessed with nature, and is also famous for being the main venue for the 2005 Expo 2005.

This time, we spoke to Mr. Hibino from Agurin Village, where you can get safe and secure vegetables made by local farmers.

Mr. Hibino is also qualified as a vegetable sommelier.

Started to support local farmers
"Agurin Village"

"Agurin Village" is named after "Agriculture" and "village". This is a direct sales store where producers bring in their products directly and sell them.

Hibino: `` Agurin Village was originally started as part of Nagakute City's ``urban development through agriculture.'' Most of the farmers in Nagakute City were part-time farmers, and there were problems such as an aging population and abandoned farmland. Agurin Village was started in response to this situation and to support local farmers.”

Agurin Village opened in 2007, but was renovated in December 2022, greatly expanding its sales floor area.

spacious vegetable market

Mr. Hibino: "Thankfully, the number of customers and farmers has increased, and we have expanded the sales floor because we can't even line up all the vegetables. Now the aisles are widened so that customers can relax and enjoy shopping."

Safe and secure fresh vegetables

About 300 local farmers in Nagakute City and its suburbs deliver vegetables to Agurin Village. Each farmer puts the harvested vegetables into bags, puts a price on them, and puts them on the market.

Mr. Hibino: "In summer, we have many summer vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers, but we do not have vegetables that cannot be picked at that time of year. Many of the vegetables are pesticide-free, pesticide-reduced, or organic, so they may be irregularly shaped and sometimes have insects on them, but they are fresh, tasty, and in season. Some customers say, 'My child doesn't like vegetables, but he can eat vegetables from Agurin Village.'"

All vegetables handled at the Agurin Village are monitored and managed according to cultivation records. Only products that meets their standards, such as the number of times pesticides and fertilizers are used, and if pesticides are used, whether they are used properly, are placed on the market.

In the sales floor, there is a machine called "I-Farmer" that shows information on the use of pesticides and fertilizers for vegetables and who made them.

"I-Farmer" in the corner of the vegetable section

By scanning the barcode, the producer information will be displayed.

The sales floor is lined with many rare vegetables that you don't see in supermarkets.

Beetroot (right) and a kind of pumpkin "colinkey" (left). Recipes are also provided.

Agurin Village has staff certified as vegetable sommeliers, so they can explain the vegetables and teach you how to prepare them.

Mr. Hibino: "I communicate with the farmers every day, asking them about the condition of their fields and how the vegetables are doing, and I tell the customers about it. For example, it is difficult for people who do not work in the fields to imagine that there are not enough vegetables today because they cannot enter the fields if it rains. I want to talk to customers about these things and let them know what farmers do."

Agurin Village, which aims to be a “direct sales store with a visible face,” plays a role in connecting farmers and customers. Many of the customers who come to Agurin Village are regular customers. I feel that the shop is loved by the locals.

Not just vegetables! Overview of Agurin Village

The farmer's market in this figure has a one-way street with separate entrances and exits. Immediately after entering the entrance is a spacious vegetable corner.

Unusual vegetables! As many unique vegetables as there are farmers!

There are many kinds of onions alone.

There are many kinds of colorful mini tomatoes!

In Agurin Village, it is said that ``If there are 10 people growing tomatoes, there will be 10 types of tomatoes.'' There are as many types and personalities as there are farmers.

Rice" that is milled on the spot and "prepared foods" using vegetables from Agurin Village are also available.

As soon as you leave the vegetable section, you will see the rice corner.

At Agurin Village, the rice is conveniently milled on the spot.

Various rice are available. In addition to this, there is also pre-polished bagged rice.

There are also many seasonings of your choice.

There are so many different types of eggs!

Carefully selected domestic meat and fresh fish.

Near the cash register, there is a corner for boxed lunches and side dishes.

Handmade side dishes using vegetables from Agurin Village. Everything looks delicious!

"Oyatsu Kobo" where you can take a break and "Bakery" with rice-flour bread

After paying at the cash register, go outside and you will find the “Oyatsu Kobo”.

There is a wide variety of soft-serve ice cream, Mitarashi dango, coffee floats, etc. Take a break and sit on the bench in front of the restaurant.

There is a bakery next to the Oyatsu Kobo. There is also an eat-in space in the bright shop with full glass walls.

There was also rice flour bread.

The flower shop also sells vegetable seedlings

There is a flower shop on the right hand side when looking at the building from the front.

They sell not only flowers but also vegetable seedlings. Each one also has the name of the manufacturer on it.

Relax outside with biotope and goats.

There is a biotope outside the building.

There are two goats "Agu" and "Rin" next to the biotope. Together, they are "Agurin"!

You can also buy food for them. Agurin Village has a lot of customers with families, so they started raising them a few years ago because they wanted small children to have fun.

There is also a rest area outside. You can eat the bento you bought at Agurin Village here.

I had scones and coffee that I bought at the bakery. It feels good to relax outside while looking at the biotope.

500 cars can be parked in the parking lot of Agurin Village.

Next to it is Nagakute Onsen "Gozarasse". It's nice to enjoy both hot springs and shopping on your days off.

Agurin Village is community-based and loved by locals. If the timing is right when farmers come to line their vegetables, you may be able to hear directly from them about their vegetables. It also hold events for parents and children to enjoy, so please check the schedule on their website.