In the city of Koriyama, the third leg of a campaign in which restaurants serve dishes using carp has kicked off. The Koriyama municipal government launched the campaign -- called Shun -- to increase consumption of the fish. Koriyama is the nation's biggest producer of carp.
　A total of 46 restaurants and shops have joined the third part of the campaign, which is more than in its second leg. The businesses are offering elaborate carp dishes, among other related items.

　 郡山市は１月２０日、市内の飲食店などでコイ料理を提供する「鯉（こい）食キャンペーン"旬"」を始めた。郡山産コイの消費拡大を目指す取り組みの第３弾で、前回を上回る４６店舗が参加。趣向を凝らしたコイ料理などを提供している。郡山市は、コイの生産量で全国一を誇る。

　The campaign runs through Feb. 28, with 20 restaurants and shops participating as new entrants. More takeout shops and restaurants are serving special dishes during the day, such as carp burgers and carp onigiri rice balls.
　Some shops are selling ceramic works featuring carp to promote the fish beyond the culinary world.

　キャンペーン期間は２月２８日までで、参加店舗のうち２０店舗が新規参加。鯉バーガーやコイを具材としたおにぎりなど、日中の時間帯にコイを味わえる店舗や、テークアウトできる店舗が増えた。コイをあしらった陶芸品の販売もあり、食以外でもコイ文化を後押しする。

　Funatsu, an eatery located in the Koriyama View Hotel Annex in the city, is serving soba noodles topped with carp tempura, sauteed koi-soboro minced carp and seasonal vegetables. Carp used for tempura goes through a process called kobu-jime in which the fish is pressed between sheets of kombu kelp and left for hours to enhance the taste.
　"I'm hoping customers come to know the wonders of carp," said head chef Takafumi Seki, 51.

　このうち、同市の郡山ビューホテルアネックスの日本料理「舟津」では、コイの天ぷらや、コイそぼろの炒め煮、季節の野菜などをのせた「鯉と彩野菜そば」を販売。天ぷらは昆布締めし、コイの味を引き立たせた逸品だ。関貴史調理長（５１）は「コイの魅力を知ってもらいたい」と話した。

　A special campaign in which gifts will be awarded to customers who accumulate at least three stickers at participating restaurants has also kicked off. The gifts include restaurant vouchers and pairs of tickets for hot spring inns and hotels in the city.

　また、参加店を巡って三つ以上のシールを集めると、市内の温泉旅館やホテルのペア宿泊券、食事券などが当たるプレゼントキャンペーンを実施している。

　◆Yahoo Japan gets on board
　 In support of Koriyama, Yahoo Japan Corp. held a Koriyama-shi Koi Fair at a cafeteria at its headquarters in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, on Jan. 18 and 19. The menu included koisuru koidon (rice bowl topped with carp tempura).
　Koriyama Mayor Masato Shinagawa visited Yahoo Japan on the first day of the fair to conduct "top-level" sales and promote the city's foods and sightseeing opportunities.

　◆ヤフー社員食堂でフェア
　郡山市の農水産物を応援しようと、ＩＴ大手のヤフーは１月１８日～１９日、東京都千代田区の本社社員レストランで、郡山産のコイを使った天丼「恋する鯉丼」などを提供する「郡山市鯉フェア」を開催した。初日は品川萬里市長が同社を訪れ、トップセールスを行い、同市の食材や観光資源もＰＲした。

　Yahoo Japan included carp in its cafeteria menu after it worked with the city to hold a food-tasting event in August last year. The event was a project of the Reconstruction Agency.
　The company said it wanted to provide reconstruction assistance to the city, which was hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The firm is also aiming to encourage its employees to eat more healthy fish.
　The city is trying to expand the sales channels of its agricultural and fish products, and also dispel harmful rumors regarding the area. It hopes the promotion work will attract more visitors.

　市が昨年８月、復興庁の企画で同社とコイの試食会を開いたことがきっかけで、今回コイ料理が社員用メニューとして採用された。同社は復興支援に加え、健康面などを考え、社員に魚料理を食べてほしいという狙いもあるという。市は農水産物の販路拡大や風評払拭を図るとともに、認知度向上や誘客にもつなげたい考えだ。

　On the first day of the event at Yahoo Japan, many employees enjoyed eating carp. About 300 rice bowls topped with tempura and 70 servings of koi no arai (slices of raw carp rinsed in cold water) were sold.

（　Translated by The Japan News　）

　初日は、多くの社員がレストランでコイ料理を堪能した。準備した「恋する鯉丼」３００食と、コイのあらい７０食は完売したという。

　【　２０１８年１月１９日、２１日付・福島民友新聞掲載　】