Onnayama Daikon Radish (Saga): season, origin and where to buy

Official registration details (MAFF)

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

Characteristics

An akakubi (lit. "purple neck") daikon radish with beautiful red-purple skin due to its anthocyanin content, Onnayama Daikon typically grows to 4 or 5 kg, some as large as 10 kg or more. The flesh is dense and highly resistant to pithiness.Onnayama Daikon is a much valued ingredient of simmered vegetable dishes, soups, and dressed dishes due to its high sugar content relative to ordinary white daikon, distinctive color, and capacity to cook without losing its shape.

Link with the production area

A native species grown since the Edo period (17C-19C), this vegetable was brought back into production from near-extinction through almost decade-long community efforts.Local conditions such as good water supply due to geographical proximity to headwaters of Ushizu River, and well-drained soil due to deposits of basalt, make the area ideal for the growth of daikon radish, which dislikes conditions that are too wet.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s121.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.

We have not found a reliable online or furusato nozei listing yet. Ask local farm stands or the producer group.

FAQ

A red-necked heirloom daikon grown in Nishitaku, Taku City, Saga, since the Edo period. It has a beautiful reddish-purple color and grows to 4 to 5 kg, yet its flesh is dense. It is sweeter than common green-necked daikon and holds its shape when simmered.

Onnayama Daikon Radish is produced in Nishitaku Town, Taku City, Saga Prefecture.

We have not confirmed a reliable online or furusato nozei listing. Local farm stands or the producer group are your best bet.

Onnayama Daikon Radish was registered as a Geographical Indication on June 29, 2022 (Registration No. 121). The registered producer group is Bansen-no-sato Management Council.