A Finnish Connection in Hokkaido
The roots of this charming collaboration run deep, connecting Hokkaido’s Kitahiroshima City with the Nordic nation of Finland, home to the Moomin characters. Kitahiroshima City’s urban development, initiated in 1968, was modeled after Tapiola, a garden city in Finland. This historical connection has fostered a commitment to creating a city that harmonizes nature and creativity, striving to become “the most Well-being city in the world,” much like Finland itself.
Moomin, a beloved global brand originating from Finland, naturally embodies themes of coexisting with nature and nurturing the heart through culture and education. These values perfectly align with Kitahiroshima City’s vision. To solidify this shared ethos, the city entered into a comprehensive partnership agreement with Rights and Brands, the Moomin license manager, in August 2024. This Furusato Nozei initiative marks the beginning of their joint efforts towards achieving a “Well-being city.”
The Delight of Shiroi Koibito with a Moomin Twist
The featured return gift is the renowned “Shiroi Koibito,” a beloved Hokkaido confection. It consists of crispy langue de chat cookies, baked to a fragrant perfection, sandwiching a unique blend of original chocolate. For over 45 years, the deliciousness of Shiroi Koibito has been preserved through meticulous checks of ingredients, dough consistency, and baking temperatures.
The “Moomin Original Design Shiroi Koibito 36-piece Can Mother’s Day Limited Design” contains 27 white chocolate cookies and 9 black chocolate cookies. This limited-edition item is a perfect blend of Hokkaido’s culinary heritage and Finland’s heartwarming storytelling.
Donations for this special item are accepted until March 31, 2026, with shipping scheduled for early May 2026. Please note that acceptance may close earlier depending on stock availability.
For those interested in contributing and receiving this unique return gift, you can find it on:
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Rakuten: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f012343-kitahiroshima/085-1450/
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Furusato Choice: https://www.furusato-tax.jp/product/detail/01234/6890341?utm_source=hokkaido_kitahiroshimashi&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lgmk_01234
Additional return gifts from Kitahiroshima City are also available:
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Rakuten Furusato Nozei: https://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/f012343-kitahiroshima/
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Furusato Choice: https://www.furusato-tax.jp/city/product/01234?utm_source=hokkaido_kitahiroshimashi&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lgmk_01234
Supporting Kitahiroshima’s Vision
Kitahiroshima City, located amidst rolling hills between Sapporo City and New Chitose Airport, is known for its harmonious blend of nature and urban functionality. It boasts convenient access to major transportation hubs while offering rich natural landscapes, home to diverse wildlife like grey herons and Ezo squirrels.
The city’s history dates back to 1884 when 103 people from Hiroshima Prefecture laid the foundation for its development. It is also historically significant as the place where Dr. William S. Clark left his famous words, “Boys, be ambitious.” Donations received through the Furusato Nozei program are utilized for key projects deemed essential for the city’s future development, under the “Mayor’s Choice” initiative. Kitahiroshima City has consistently ranked first in Hokkaido’s “Livability Ranking” for five consecutive years in the “City Data Pack” 2018 edition, published by Toyo Keizai Inc.
For fans of Moomin and Japanese sweets, this limited-edition collaboration offers a delightful way to celebrate Mother’s Day while supporting a city with a unique global connection. This initiative sets a precedent for how local Japanese municipalities can leverage international cultural icons to promote their regions and foster a sense of global well-being through unique partnerships.
