Vegetables & heirloom crops Reg. No. 153

Hakushu Bijin (Long White Onion)

伯州美人（はくしゅうびじん）

A long white onion from a major growing area in western Tottori, using an original prefectural variety bred by repeatedly improving local strains. Its white stalk is thick and soft, turning sweet and meltingly tender when cooked, and it is shipped only in the depth of winter, when its sweetness increases.

Prefectures: Tottori
Production area: Yonago City, Sakaiminato City, and surrounding areas at the foot of Mt. Daisen (Hiezu Village, Nanbu Town, Hoki Town, and Daisen Town in Saihaku District; Nichinan Town, Hino Town, and Kofu Town in Hino District), Tottori Prefecture
Season: Nov–Feb
Registered: August 27, 2024（Reg. No. 153）
Registered producer group: JA Tottori-Seibu (opens in a new tab)
Category (as registered): 第1類農産物類野菜類（ねぎ）

Seasonal calendar

It is a winter-only onion, with harvest starting around late November.

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

The long white onion with a thick and soft white stalk, gives a sweet flavor and melting texture when it is cooked. It is highly recognized by consumers as a brand of excellent taste and is traded at higher prices compared to regular long white onions.

Link with the production area

In a large production area with a long history of white onion cultivation, an original variety of Tottori Prefecture that was bred by improving local varieties is used. Besides the variety of characteristics, producers take advantage of the area's natural conditions, such as fertile soil and cold winters, and perform careful fertility management, cultivation and shipping only during winter when the onions become sweet.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/250715_16.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)

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

FAQ

Hakushu Bijin (Long White Onion) is produced in Yonago City, Sakaiminato City, and surrounding areas at the foot of Mt. Daisen (Hiezu Village, Nanbu Town, Hoki Town, and Daisen Town in Saihaku District; Nichinan Town, Hino Town, and Kofu Town in Hino District), Tottori Prefecture.

Hakushu Bijin (Long White Onion) is in season (harvested or shipped) in Nov–Feb. It is a winter-only onion, with harvest starting around late November.

Look for it via the producer group's own shop. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Hakushu Bijin (Long White Onion) was registered as a Geographical Indication on August 27, 2024 (Registration No. 153). The registered producer group is JA Tottori-Seibu.