Iinuma Chestnut (Ibaraki): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

After cold storage to increase sweetness, shipped from about late October to 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 size of Iinuma Kuri is substantial due to the area’s cultivation technique to produce one large chestnut per bur. In addition, Iinuma Kuri is shipped when the sugar content in chestnuts increased in the unique cold storage system. The producers also carefully select Iinuma Kuri based on color and shape. It is evaluated as the highest quality chestnut.

Link with the production area

Ibaraki Town is located in the plateau of loamy layer of the Kanto Plain. It thus has a good water retention and drainage suitable for chestnut cultivation. The area also has a stable climate with few damages caused by typhoons and snow. In addition, the original pollination technique is strictly kept in the area. The production area has also developed original techniques of washing, storing and selecting chestnuts..

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s38.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.

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FAQ

Iinuma Kuri is a large chestnut grown in Ibaraki Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. Growers use a closely guarded pollination technique aiming for a single nut per burr, and the nuts are washed and sorted three times to select those with the best color, gloss and shape. They are stored at low temperature to increase their sweetness before being shipped on a planned schedule, and fetch about twice the average market price.

Iinuma Chestnut is produced in Ibaraki Town, Higashiibaraki County, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Iinuma Chestnut is in season (harvested or shipped) in Oct–Nov. After cold storage to increase sweetness, shipped from about late October to late November.

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.

Iinuma Chestnut was registered as a Geographical Indication on June 23, 2017 (Registration No. 38). The registered producer group is Shimo-Iinuma Chestnut Production and Marketing Association.