Category Archives: Photos

YAMANASHI, Jul. 31 – A local agricultural cooperative in Yamanashi Prefecture has started to sell a limited number of “Yogen no momo,” a peach with an image of “Yogen no tori (a bird of prophecy)” on its skin to join the people who wish to stop the COVID-19 outbreak. Yogen no tori is a legendary creature in Japan, a two-headed bird that is said to keep illnesses away. The JA started to sell it sell as a new seasonal product to encourage the people suffering all over the country from the pandemic while promoting the consumption of the local summer fruits. The JA Fruits Yamanashi used its patented technology to … Continue reading →

FUKUI, May 31 – Straws made of barley stalks are attracting attention as a new option for eco-friendly consumers. Fukui Oomugi Club, a Fukui-based barley tea and food producer started selling them last year. It uses stalks provided by local barley growers to make the very natural straw, which is unique to Fukui Prefecture, which is Japan’s largest producer of six-row barley, or Rokujo oomugi in Japanese. Making straws out of agricultural byproducts can also help reduce plastic waste. The stalks of “Fiber-snow” six-row barley are provided by the members of a local agricultural cooperative corporation named Ten. They are dried in the sun, cut in 18 to 20 centimeters … Continue reading →

AOMORI, TOKYO, Jul. 1 – Junoheart, a new cherry variety developed in Aomori Prefecture, celebrated its nationwide debut on July 1, 2020. It’s a super cute heart-shaped cherry of more than 2.8 centimeters in size, one of Japan’s largest varieties. It tastes less sour and has a high sugar content of around 20%. Currently, it’s grown in some part of Aomori, 10 hectares in total, but the prefecture is planning to triple the area in　five years. Takano Fruits Parlor in Shinjuku, Tokyo, now has a limited offer of Junoheart Cake (1,188 yen) and Junoheart Parfait (2,200 yen) to celebrate the debut of the new charming cherry variety in Japan. Governor … Continue reading →