On May 30, 2009, this year again, "Hidaka Kombu Forum 2009 in Samani" was held in the town of Samani, one of the largest production centers of kombu in Hokkaido, Japan. The main objectives of the event were to exchange information on kombu and to promote its sales. Kumiko Ninomiya, the director of the Umami Information Center participated in the event as a panelist, and gave a keynote speech titled "Dashi and Umami Go Global."
Participants also enjoyed the speech by Dr. Norishige Yotsukura, the assosicate professor of the Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere of Hokkaido University, on the theme of how to preserve precious kombu forest and its potential. The active discussion with the participants followed. At the venue, kombu related hands-on corner was set up where people enjoyed sampling kombu dishes, spot sale of kombu related products, and exhibition of information panels and fishing gears. This fully educational and informative one day program was a wonderful opportunity to understand about Hidaka kombu, the most umami-rich ingredients.