Leaving HOTEL RESOL TRINITY SAPPORO behind, it's a three-stop subway ride from Odori Station. In a quiet area around Kita 18-jo Station, where Hokkaido University, Fuji Women's University, and hospitals are located, you'll find a shop offering natural cosmetics and smoothies made with high-quality ingredients from Hokkaido.

The name of the shop is "The St Monica". Born and raised in Hokkaido, Shichinohe Chie is a licensed pharmacist with a wealth of knowledge and experience. She runs her own brand of skin care products, as well as a selection of items from Japan and abroad that are sure to become a "strong ally" in your daily life.

The store was previously located in the Maruyama area, but due to relatives living nearby and the company's frequent collaborative research with nearby universities, it moved to its current location in 2022 in order to facilitate smooth collaboration.

Shichinohe says that he didn't originally start out with a clear intention of "starting a business." But what prompted him to develop skin care products and to start researching and developing products using rosehip, lavender, amplexicaule, and birch trees that grow in Hokkaido?

The role I found from my "life-risking childbirth experience"

Nanato got married and moved to Tokyo when her family was transferred there, where she experienced pregnancy and childbirth. Both of her births were highly urgent and life-threatening, and it was this harrowing experience that started it all.

"Feeling a sense of responsibility as a mother who protects precious lives and as a pharmacist working in the medical field," she felt the need for care for the mind and body that cannot be fully covered by medical care alone, so she decided to study medical aromatherapy and baby and child massage.

He did not end his studies there, but also worked energetically as a lecturer, hosting classes at the hospital and interacting with many parents and children. Later, he served as a director of the "Kosodate Hiroba 'Hotto Mura'" project, which was a pioneer of "children's cafeterias" that used vacant houses, and was in charge of its operation and the procurement of pesticide-free vegetables.

"It was a big opportunity that led me to where I am today," says Nanato. He discovered his role based on his experiences and what he felt was needed at the time, and has continued to search for "something he can do."

Product development started with "moisturizing"

One of St. Monica's signature products is "BABY & MOTHER Natural Horse Oil Moisturizing Cream," which contains natural horse oil, beeswax, and birch bark extract.

At the time, she was running massage classes at a hospital, and with the desire to "provide products from Hokkaido that both mothers and children can use," she started selling moisturizers such as soap and horse oil. The manufacturer offered her the opportunity to develop a product, suggesting, "Why don't you try creating your own brand?", which led to the product development she continues to make today.

Nanato's products, which make use of her experience and knowledge as a pharmacist, are not limited to moisturizing creams, but are developed with the emphasis on "being extremely simple" and "not adding too much" in mind, with the sensitive skin of babies as the standard.

"Anyone can use it, including people with sensitive skin, grandparents, and people with disabilities."

"It should be something that anyone can use." This gives us a glimpse into the thoughts that Shichinohe holds dear and the type of brand he aims to create.

"Birch sap" born from the mother tree

Nanato had been working in Tokyo for a while, but as various circumstances changed and the number of clients gradually increased, his desire to "build more face-to-face relationships with producers" grew stronger, so he returned to Hokkaido, where he was born and raised.

St. Monica values the use of the abundant natural blessings of the northern land. Among them, birch sap is produced in Niupu, Bifuka Town, in the northern part of Hokkaido, and is said to be a very precious sap that can only be harvested for about one month out of the year.

"Even before we could exchange information like we do today, Japan, Northern Europe, Russia, Korea and other countries had a history of using birch in their respective regions. In each region, birch has other names such as 'mother' or 'nurse,' and this recognition seems to have been common across countries."

Many people associate the "landscape of Hokkaido" with the "mother tree" full of vitality, the white birch. In the store, you can purchase "white birch sap," a 100% natural ingredient.

It is as smooth as water, and can be drunk as is, or used to make coffee, or as a stock for shabu-shabu or hotpot. If you like alcohol, you can use the sap as ice to make cocktails or whiskey, or mix it with the "6 kinds of organic berries and birch sap cordial" sold at "St. Monica." It can be used in a wide variety of everyday situations.

It will make a great memento of your trip to Hokkaido, and also make a great gift for a special person.

Enjoy the season with healthy smoothies

St. Monica creates products with great attention to each and every ingredient, and also offers smoothies that can be enjoyed both in and as takeaway.

They moved to their current location during the COVID-19 pandemic, and decided to start selling the products with the idea that "at a time when many people are sensitive about various things, we would like to provide them with products that are gentle on the body."

This smoothie, which allows you to enjoy the flavor of the ingredients themselves without adding sugar or preservatives, is made using organic and reduced-pesticide fruits such as strawberries, apples, and grapes, as well as vegetables such as beets, blended with room temperature soy milk.

Shichinohe's recommended "Beetroot Smoothie" has a mellow flavor thanks to the inclusion of bananas, and is said to be good for the intestines as it is rich in iron and dietary fiber. The ingredients change depending on the season, so you can experience something fresh every time you visit.

Wishing everyone health and happiness

"We've seen an increase in people from outside Hokkaido coming to our retreats when they find some time off. Every day we feel that there is a greater demand for stress-free, simpler lifestyles," says Nanato.

"We use local ingredients as much as possible and make things that everyone can use without discrimination."

St. Monica's history, pursuit of natural materials, and commitment to product manufacturing are all filled with warm consideration for the health and happiness of those who use them.

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セントモニカ（直営店） 
住所：北海道札幌市北区北16条西3丁目2-18エルムN16
電話番号：011-213-7572
アクセス：地下鉄南北線「北18条駅」より徒歩1分程度  
HP： https://stmonica.info/
SNS： https://www.instagram.com/thestmonica/
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