As we've introduced previously in grape Japan, the Gifu Prefecture-based ceramics company Mitani Tōki, which uses traditional crafting techniques to produce high-quality Mino ware tableware, created a series of unique, sustainable and smoke-suppressing cooking plates crafted from the recycled volcanic ash of the active Sakurajima stratovolcano.

As you can see below, their crowdfunding campaign was wildly successful, achieving 2,060% of their goal.

If you missed your chance to participate in the crowdfunding campaign, don't worry. Beginning on August 10th, these excellent cooking plates, called HAI (from the Japanese word for ash hai 灰), will be available for sale on the company's online store.

HAI is the brainchild of Mitani Toki and local efforts to more effectively use the volcanic ash left from eruptions of Sakurajima, which Mitani Toki estimates can exceed 1 million tons per year, in the form of a sustainable product using Mino ware crafting techniques.

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Features of HAI cooking plates

The high rate of FIR (far-infrared radiation) condenses the flavor of the ingredients from within. It's recommended not only for meat and vegetables but also for hamburgers and pizzas.

Smoke is generated when oil evaporates. Since HAI heats at low to medium heat, this suppresses the evaporation of oil, resulting in less smoke. This makes HAI plates convenient to use not only outside at barbecues and camps, but indoors as well. You'll also be able to reduce the smell of smoke on clothes and hair.

Since HAI plates have excellent heat storage properties, you can keep food warm even after you turn off the heat, which is very eco-friendly. For example, you can keep pizza at just the right temperature with melted cheese.

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Product lineup

• Shape: Round (for 1 to 4 persons)
• Size: approx. 22 cm x 22 cm x 1.3 cm thick
• It can cook not only meat but also pizza
• Planned retail price: 13,500 yen (tax included)

• Shape: Rectangular (for 1 to 3 persons)
• Size: approx. 20 cm x 15 cm x 1.3 cm thick
• Perfect for grilling yakitori
• Planned retail price: 11,500 yen (tax included)

• Shape: Square shape (for one to two people)
• Size: approx. 16 cm x 16 cm x 1.3 cm thick
• Perfect for solo camping
• Planned retail price: 9,500 yen (tax included)

Promotional video

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Watch for the HAI plates from August 10th, 2021 (JST) on Mitani Toki's online store on Rakuten. You can also find out more about Mitani Toki and their other excellent ceramic products by visiting their website.