Imakane Danshaku Potato (Hokkaido): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Available from late July to late January; potatoes sorted jointly by the cooperative are shipped from mid-September.

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

Imakane Danshaku is a Danshaku potato characterized by its floury, meltingly soft mouthfeel, pale beautiful skin, and consistent quality, with starch levels of 13.5% or higher. It has received top ratings for quality, taste, and appearance thanks to the strict product selection standards in place.

Link with the production area

Local conditions--inland climate with large diurnal temperature range, and well-drained fertile volcanic ash soil--are favorable for potato production. Producers have focused on growing the Danshaku variety since 1953. Potato tubers for planting have been grown by dedicated seed potato producers since 1967, which is one of the community-wide quality improvement measures implemented over the years.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s86.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)

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

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FAQ

Danshaku variety potatoes grown in Imakane and Setana towns, Hokkaido. They have pale, attractive skin, a consistent starch value of 13.5 percent or higher, and a floury texture that melts softly in the mouth. Growers have planted only the Danshaku variety since 1953 and have long worked to improve quality.

Imakane Danshaku Potato is produced in Imakane Town in Setana County and Setana Town in Kudo County, Hokkaido.

Imakane Danshaku Potato is in season (harvested or shipped) in Jul–Jan. Available from late July to late January; potatoes sorted jointly by the cooperative are shipped from mid-September.

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

Imakane Danshaku Potato was registered as a Geographical Indication on September 9, 2019 (Registration No. 86). The registered producer group is Imakanecho Agricultural Cooperative.