OSAKA – A specialty store has opened here to promote the Hokuriku region, focusing on products from Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui prefectures.

Hokuriku+ is located on the second floor of Kitte Osaka, a commercial building in the JP Tower Osaka building, which is directly connected to JR Osaka Station.

The building has 39 floors and three basement levels, with Kitte Osaka occupying the first to sixth floors and the first basement level, housing 114 shops and restaurants.

The store Hokuriku+ deals in specialties from the areas of Ishikawa Prefecture affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake on January 1, including traditional Wajima-nuri lacquerware and locally produced wines.

It also offers Himi-style udon noodles and other foods from Toyama Prefecture, as well as products from Fukui Prefecture.

“There was no store in the Kansai region or the three Hokuriku prefectures that offered local specialties from the disaster area,” said the store manager. “We hope that people will come here and visit Hokuriku as well.”

The governors of the three prefectures served locally brewed sake and steamed “manju” buns to customers to celebrate the opening of Hokuriku+ on July 31.

“We are very pleased that the store will open in such a great location with access to Osaka Station,” said Toyama Governor Hachiro Nitta during the opening ceremony. “The timing was perfect as the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line was extended to Tsuruga (in Fukui Prefecture) in March and the Osaka Expo is taking place next year.”