Dojo Hachiya Dried Persimmon (Gifu): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Persimmons harvested in mid-November are dried through November and December, and the finished fruit is available from winter into early spring.

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

Dojo Hachiya Gaki is a very large dried persimmon with 55-65% of sugar content. The weight is approximately 80g for regular grade. The inside of the fruit is amber colored and has gelatinous texture without fibers nor too much water content. It is appreciated of its natural sweetness and often traded as a high quality gift.

Link with the production area

The production area has basin type climate - having wide temperature gap between day and night. This condition helps the area produce high sugar content persimmons. The area during processing season (November-December) has many sunny days with extreme temperature drop in morning and night. The low temperature in morning and night prevents the rapid desiccation of persimmons when they are put outside. In addition, the traditional processing method called “nio-bouki” adds qualities to the product. Dojo Hachiya Gaki had been presented to the Imperial Court and the Shogunate for over 1,000 years as a tribut.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s50.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.

Other dried persimmons are also sold under the Hachiya name, so check for the full name Dojo Hachiya Gaki and the GI mark.

FAQ

A large dried persimmon from Minokamo City, Gifu Prefecture, averaging about 80 g. The amber flesh is soft with little fiber and very high in sugar. Long known as a persimmon presented to the court nobility, it is highly valued as a gift.

Dojo Hachiya Dried Persimmon is produced in Minokamo City, Gifu Prefecture.

Dojo Hachiya Dried Persimmon is in season (harvested or shipped) in Dec–Mar. Persimmons harvested in mid-November are dried through November and December, and the finished fruit is available from winter into early spring.

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.

Dojo Hachiya Dried Persimmon was registered as a Geographical Indication on December 15, 2017 (Registration No. 50). The registered producer group is Minokamo City Dojo Hachiya Gaki Promotion Association.