Yamagata Prefecture Features and Agricultural and Livestock Products
Fertile soil and annual and day/night temperature differences
Optimal Conditions for Rice Cultivation Yamagata Rice
Yamagata is famous for its delicious rice such as "Haenuki," "Tsuyahime," "Hitomebore," "Koshihikari," and "Akita Komachi. Especially from July to September, the most important period for rice cultivation, there are many sunny days with high temperatures during the day and cool temperatures at night. In addition, the climate during the ear emergence period is also almost ideal, which allows photosynthesis to flourish. These conditions are ideal for the growth of high-quality rice.
Traditional vegetables that have been protected and passed down from generation to generation
Watermelons, tomatoes, cucumbers, edamame (green soybeans), and edible chrysanthemums are well-known Yamagata specialties. It is said that there are more than 150 varieties of traditional vegetables in Yamagata Prefecture that have been preserved and passed down from generation to generation, which shows the richness of Yamagata's food and the depth of its culinary culture. Among them, "dacha-mame" is now regarded as the king of edamame (green soybeans) in Japan, with its unique aroma and flavor that increases the more it is chewed.
The finest taste nurtured by plentiful nature and human kindness
Production in various fields in terms of livestock production, such as cattle, pigs, chickens, eggs, and milk. Especially in beef, the reputation of Yamagata brands such as Yonezawa beef, Zao beef, Obanazawa beef, and Tenoko beef is increasing year by year. The history of Yamagata beef became widely known around the time of the Meiji Restoration. When Mr. C. H. Dallas, an Englishman who was a teacher at Yonezawa Kojokan, returned to Yokohama, he brought back one of the cows raised in Yonezawa and served it to his friends, who were all amazed at the taste and quality, which led to the spread of Yamagata beef throughout Japan. The difference in temperature between summer and winter tightens the meat of the beef cattle and produces a fine texture. In addition, Yamagata beef raised in the nature at the foot of Mt. Zao is well marbled and melts in the mouth.
Rich growing environment and thorough quality control
Good quality fruits are gathered from all over the prefecture, from Yonezawa City in the south to Shinjo City in the north, and Sakata City and Tsuruoka City on the Japan Sea side. In particular, the Murayama Basin, which covers 40 km from north to south with Yamagata City at its center, produces a wide variety of fruits such as strawberries, cherries, grapes, prunes, peaches, plums, watermelons, La France, Fuji apples, etc., in turn, throughout the year. The Murayama Basin is where the highest temperature (40.8 degrees Celsius) was recorded, but the temperature drops sharply at night. This difference in temperature produces sweet and delicious fruit. Naruhana Farm grows and delivers high quality fruit under thorough quality control, mainly at its own farms in Yamagata Prefecture, but also in cooperation with contract farms.
