Toyama Hoshigaki Dried Persimmon (Toyama): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Sales and shipping begin in early December.

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

Toyama hoshigaki dried persimmon is produced from a variety of persimmon named Sanja. This variety is endemic to the local area--the former towns of Fukumitsu and Johana--where it has been in production for over 300 years. Toyama Hoshigaki is characterized by its rich amber color, density, generously-sized bullet-shaped appearance, intense sweetness, and satisfying bite.

Link with the production area

Local conditions are ideal for the production of Sanja persimmon. Sanja is highly susceptible to crown rot, a disease encouraged by high soil nitrogen, but the local laterite soil is lean, thus posing lower risk of this disease. Snowfall is heavy in the local area, but Sanja is relatively resistant to damage from snow because it tends to grow vertically, developing its main branches at higher positions than other varieties of persimmon. Since 1955, local producers have selectively bred Sanja lines for larger fruit, greater dried persimmon yield, and superior flesh quality.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s98.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 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.

The producers' association sells it by mail order on a reservation basis.

FAQ

Dried persimmons made from Sanja, a local variety grown for over 300 years in the former towns of Fukumitsu and Johana in Nanto City, Toyama. They are amber-colored, large and bullet-shaped, with intense sweetness and a firm, chewy bite.

Toyama Hoshigaki Dried Persimmon is produced in Former Fukumitsu Town (Nishitonami County) and former Johana Town (Higashitonami County) as of October 31, 2004, now part of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture.

Toyama Hoshigaki Dried Persimmon is in season (harvested or shipped) in Dec. Sales and shipping begin in early December.

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

Toyama Hoshigaki Dried Persimmon was registered as a Geographical Indication on August 19, 2020 (Registration No. 98). The registered producer group is Federation of Toyama Hoshigaki Shipping Cooperatives (Agricultural Producers Cooperative Corporation).