| KYOTO, Dec. 5 – In the Shino district of Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, a traditional Japanese vegetable, Shogoin turnip, is now at its peak shipping season.
It is the largest turnip in Japan that can weigh up to 5 kilograms. At this time of year, the Kameoka Basin, a producer of this sweet, crispy turnip, is covered with a thick fog and frost in the early morning. It is said that the significant variance in temperature between day and night is key to the sweetness of this turnip. Yoshinori Kimura, a 55-year-old turnip grower, was busy washing, sorting, and packing freshly harvested turnips in the workspace of his 2-hectare farm. Due to the extreme heat and lack of rain in the summer, his turnips this year were slower to germinate and grow by about a week. The shipments are scheduled to continue until mid-February next year, and the shipment volume is expected to reach 10 tons. Most of the produce is processed into senmaizuke traditional pickles sold nationwide as popular year-end gifts. “Thanks to its mild flavor, it goes well with a variety of dishes,” said Kimura. “I hope people feel the coming of winter by eating Shogoin turnips,” he continued and smiled. (Reporter: Ryo Yamada)  Shogoin turnip is called “jewel in the field” because of its round shape and shiny white color. (In Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture) |