Tochigi prefecture is the most famous manufacturer of kampyo, without which it's impossible to make sushi, wrapped up with nori. Kampyo is thin strips of crook-necked pumpkin, dried up on the sun. The hottest time of this work is the beginning of July and the end of August. The cutting of pumpkin on thin cords begins at 3 am. These cords need to be separated one from another not to be sticked to each other. Then they are hanged up on bamboo sticks. This work proceeds from 3 am to 7 am. Earlier the drying up has depended on the weather, but now it can be continued in hotbeds.

The legend says that 280 years ago, in the second year of the Shotoku epoch (year 1712) the feudal Tadahide Torii, who was the owner of the land in the Omi province (Shiga prefecture), received another land in the Simotsuke province. So he left Manakuchi for Mibu. But he ordered to deliver the seeds of kampyo from Manakuchi to Mibu. There are another versions of kampyo origin, but we don't have any truth worthy information nowadays. The most famous manufacturer of kampyo is the south of Tochigi prefecture (Ishibashi, Minamikawachi, Kokubunji and Mibu). Among all the areas of Japan, this area is the most acceptable for the kampyo's cultivation.

The first thing that you have to pay attention to is the rich maintenance of food fibers. Insoluble food fibers promote the prevention of constipation and cancer of a thick gut, normalize the condition of intestines and many other possesses properties. Bleaching substances are not applied in kampyo and it's rich with calcium. Calcium is for strengthening of teeth and bones and for maintenance of health. It calms nerves and helps to stabilize mentality. Kampyo also contains carbohydrates and fiber. Under the action of saliva and gastric juice carbohydrates break up and absorbed by an organism in the form of glucose. Glucose is a source of energy. At storage of carbohydrates fiber, which turns to energy, begins to break up. It conducts to increase of weariness; decrease in ability of a liver to neutralize action of poison, skin begins to burst. Such phenomenon, arising during diet, can also be caused by the lack of carbohydrates. Being a source of energy, carbohydrates are also necessary during diet (about 50 grams per day).

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