🎌 Choshi Electric Railway "Shisenbei"

The "Choshi Electric Railway," which runs through Choshi City in Chiba Prefecture, is a local line that is only 6.4 kilometers long. Due to a sparse population and a sharp decline in tourists, the number of passengers has been decreasing year by year. Surprisingly, the savior of the railway company facing the crisis of line abandonment turned out to be a type of "Wet Senbei." To cover the repair costs of the railway and level crossings, Choshi Electric Railway began producing and selling senbei as a sideline in 1995. In 2006, to address the urgent costs of mandatory train inspections, they publicly appealed on their official website, stating, "Please help us earn money for train maintenance by purchasing our senbei!" This message quickly spread online, leading to a surge in orders. Senbei became the savior in this miraculous revival story and is now extremely popular. This authentic senbei, made from domestically produced japonica rice and Choshi's specialty soy sauce, comes in three basic flavors: savory, mild, and sweet. Additionally, there is a "Premium Wet Senbei" made with unique local ingredients such as grain miso and bonito, which has received high praise. In online stores, there are products like "I Can Grill Senbei," a raw senbei skin that challenges you to make grilled rice crackers at home, as well as the best-selling item after "Wet Senbei," called "Unappetizing Stick," and various clothing items featuring the Choshi Electric Railway logo. When visiting Choshi, be sure to stop by the Choshi Electric Railway's official souvenir shop, "Wet Senbei Station," which also has a hands-on experience area for grilling wet senbei.

Wet Senbei produced and sold by Choshi Electric Railway. A surge of online orders has turned it into a product that saves the company facing a management crisis, sparking heated discussions. In addition to three basic flavors, there are also premium wet senbei and raw senbei that can be baked at home, among many other products. The online store also sells other snacks and Choshi Electric Railway merchandise. At the directly operated gift shop, you can experience making senbei by hand.