Black on the Outside, Vibrant Orange on the Inside — Just Like a Sea Urchin in Its Shell! “Uni Kuroketta,” a Unique Sea Urchin Croquette Aiming to Become Kuji’s New Local Specialty, Launches Crowdfunding Campaign on CAMPFIRE

Makoto Hirata, owner of “Massage Oriental” in Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, and creator of the YouTube channel “Showa Recipe Channel,” which introduces Japanese recipes and regional food culture, is working to establish a production and sales facility for “Uni Kuroketta” (trademark application pending: Application No. 2026-109946).

This unique sea urchin croquette features a striking jet-black exterior inspired by a sea urchin shell and a vibrant orange interior.

To support this project, Hirata launched a crowdfunding campaign on “CAMPFIRE” on October 24, 2026. The campaign will run until January 7, 2027, with a fundraising goal of 1 million yen under an “All-in” funding model.

▼ “Uni Kuroketta” Crowdfunding Campaign

https://camp-fire.jp/projects/979278/view

Uni Kuroketta (10-piece set)

■ Background of Development

Hirata's family operated a butcher shop called “Takebe” in Osaka, where a traditional croquette recipe was passed down through the family business. Hirata personally participated in making the croquettes and learned the production process firsthand.

After moving to Kuji, Hirata discovered the rich culinary tradition of sea urchin, one of the Sanriku region's most celebrated seafood specialties. At the same time, Hirata witnessed the challenges facing the region, including population decline and an increasing number of vacant storefronts in the city center.

This inspired an idea: Could a new local specialty be created that would make people say, “I want to visit Kuji just to taste that!”? Combining the family's traditional Osaka croquette recipe with sea urchin became the starting point for Uni Kuroketta.

As a YouTube creator who introduces regional cuisine and local culture through videos, Hirata also recognized that delicious food alone would not be enough. A new specialty needed a memorable visual impact—something that would immediately catch people's attention in photographs or videos and make them think, “What is that?” and want to photograph, share, and talk about it.

This led to the creation of a croquette with a jet-black coating inspired by the shell of a sea urchin. When broken open, it reveals a vibrant orange interior reminiscent of fresh sea urchin.

A traditional family flavor inherited from Osaka has thus been reborn in Kuji as a distinctive new croquette inspired by the appearance of a sea urchin in its shell.

■ Features

Black on the Outside, Orange on the Inside — A Striking Design Inspired by a Sea Urchin

The jet-black coating, made with food-grade charcoal powder, recreates the dark, textured appearance of a sea urchin shell. Breaking open the croquette reveals a vibrant orange interior, creating a dramatic visual contrast.

This eye-catching design is an essential part of the product's appeal, encouraging people to take photographs and videos even before tasting it, and to share their experience with others.

Sea Urchin Black Croquette

A Traditional Croquette Recipe Inherited from the Family Business “Takebe” in Osaka × Sea Urchin

Based on the traditional croquette recipe passed down through Hirata's family business, “Takebe,” in Osaka, repeated trials were conducted to preserve the delicate flavor of sea urchin, which can be affected by heat during cooking.

Through careful adjustments to the ingredients and cooking process, the distinctive taste of sea urchin has been successfully incorporated into the croquette.

The product is now nearing completion, with final refinements underway in preparation for its official launch.

The Origins of Croquettes: Osaka Takebe

Developed in Collaboration with Local Businesses and Using Regional Ingredients

The development of Uni Kuroketta has been supported by local businesses and producers. Yachi Forestry, a forestry company in the Kuji region, has cooperated in providing the food-grade charcoal powder used to create the distinctive black coating, while the local bakery “Château Takamatsu” has contributed bread used to make the coating.

The recipe also incorporates “Noda Salt,” produced using traditional methods in nearby Noda Village, as a seasoning ingredient.

By bringing together local expertise, ingredients, and culinary traditions, Uni Kuroketta reflects the unique character and resources of the Sanriku region.

Yachi Forestry’s charcoal powder

* Tasted by female divers, local chefs, the mayor, and others. A product that gives people a reason to visit Kuji

We’ve refined the product by gathering feedback from many people—including local chefs, female sea urchin divers, and the mayor—who have sampled it. Rather than relying primarily on nationwide online sales, we aim to develop this into a product that attracts visitors to Kuji and the surrounding areas to enjoy it in person, thereby boosting tourism and creating new job opportunities.

A Kuji Ama Diver Harvesting Sea Urchins

■ Crowdfunding Rewards

● 5,000 yen

10 frozen Uni Kuroketta croquettes, a thank-you letter, and access to exclusive project videos.

● 6,500 yen

In-Store Pickup Experience Package: 10 frozen Uni Kuroketta croquettes, one freshly fried Uni Kuroketta, one seasonal special croquette, and a commemorative photograph with a mascot character, among other benefits.

● 10,000 yen

20 frozen Uni Kuroketta croquettes, a thank-you letter, and access to exclusive project videos.

● 120,000 yen

One-Day Feature Coverage and Video Production Package: A promotional video featuring the supporter or their business, to be published on the YouTube channel “Showa Recipe Channel.”

Additional reward options include a 3,000-yen contribution-only support tier and a 30,000-yen tier offering recognition of the supporter's name in the project's completion report video.

■ Project Overview

Project Name:

Creating a New Local Specialty for Kuji Through the Production and Sale of Sea Urchin Croquettes

Campaign Period: October 24, 2026 – January 7, 2027

Crowdfunding Platform: CAMPFIRE

URL: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/979278/view

Fundraising Goal: 1,000,000 yen (All-in funding model)

Use of Funds: Securing a production facility, purchasing equipment, covering labor costs, public relations and advertising expenses, and the production, packaging, and shipping of crowdfunding rewards.

Establishing a full-scale production and sales facility is estimated to require approximately 10 million yen. The initial crowdfunding goal of 1 million yen represents the first step toward achieving this broader vision.

The project will move toward commercialization while adjusting the scale of operations according to the amount of funding raised.

■ Product Overview

Product Name: Uni Kuroketta (Trademark application pending: Application No. 2026-109946)

Crowdfunding Packages: Frozen 10-piece and 20-piece sets, among other reward options.

Size and Weight: Approximately 5 cm in diameter and 55 g per piece.

Storage and Shelf Life: Keep frozen. Shelf life: 3 months when stored frozen.

Main Ingredients: Potatoes, onions, sea urchin, wheat flour, potato starch, butter, Lakanto S sweetener, salt, sake, cornstarch, sea urchin sauce, agar, and other ingredients.

Distinctive Features: A jet-black coating made with food-grade charcoal powder, resembling a sea urchin shell, with a vibrant orange interior.

Sales Policy: During the crowdfunding campaign, frozen Uni Kuroketta products will be available as rewards for supporters throughout Japan.

Following the official launch, the project will prioritize developing Uni Kuroketta as a local specialty that encourages visitors to travel to Kuji and the surrounding Sanriku region to enjoy it firsthand, rather than relying primarily on nationwide online sales.

Please note that crowdfunding rewards are pre-launch products. Ingredients, flavor, texture, specifications, and other details may change before the official commercial release.

■ Business Overview

Business Name: Massage Oriental

Representative: Makoto Hirata

Location: Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan

Business Activities: Operation of a massage and bodywork clinic; creation and sharing of cooking videos and regional food culture content through YouTube and other platforms; development of the local specialty product “Uni Kuroketta.”

Media Presence: YouTube channel “Showa Recipe Channel” (over 110,000 subscribers)

Official Website: https://www.masajeoriental.net/

Showa Recipe Channel Thumbnail

YouTube Showa Recipe Channel

[Customer Inquiries Regarding This Matter]

Massage Oriental

Contact: Makoto Hirata

Phone: 090-3472-3174

Email: jeremiahmakoto@hotmail.co.jp

Official Website: https://www.masajeoriental.net/