Akebono Soybean (Yamanashi): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Edamame are available from mid-October to early November, and the dried beans are harvested around December.

Timing shifts with the weather and conditions in each region.

Official registration details (MAFF)

The registered description as published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Characteristics

Larger (ten make up about 18 cm, it has traditionally been said) and sweeter than others, this variety of soybean has been in production for over a century. It contains about 20% more sugars than other varieties. It is especially high in sucrose, the main component of sugar, which is about 40% higher in this variety, contributing to its pronounced sweetness. Because of its rarity and excellent quality, local JA (Japan Agricultural Co-operative) purchasing prices are roughly twice or four times those of average nationwide bidding prices for regular soybeans.

Link with the production area

Diurnal temperature differences of over 10°C during the period roughly between October and December, when the young bean matures until harvested, contribute to the bean's characteristic sweetness. Growers in Akebono district prevent hybridization by strictly isolating or distancing fields for different crops, and also through generations of seed selection, thereby preserving the distinctive large size of Akebono Soybean.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s119.html)

Where to buy

As a rule, only products that meet the registered standard may use a GI name (with exceptions such as prior use). Check for the GI mark and the place of origin to tell it apart from ordinary products with similar names.

Buy from the producer group (opens in a new tab)Find on furusato nozei (opens in a new tab)Find online (opens in a new tab)

These links go to Japanese-language shops; check whether they ship overseas.

Some shop links on this page are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The edamame season is short, so it is best to look for them early.

FAQ

A large-grained soybean grown in Minobu Town, Yamanashi, for over a century. The beans are so big that ten in a row measure about 18 cm, and they contain more sugars, especially sucrose, than other varieties, giving them a notably sweet taste. They are also sold as edamame.

Akebono Soybean is produced in Minobu Town, Minamikoma County, Yamanashi Prefecture.

Akebono Soybean is in season (harvested or shipped) in Oct–Nov. Edamame are available from mid-October to early November, and the dried beans are harvested around December.

Look for it via furusato nozei (hometown tax donation), online shops and the producer group's own shop. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Akebono Soybean was registered as a Geographical Indication on March 31, 2022 (Registration No. 119). The registered producer group is Minobucho Akebono Daizu Promotion Association.