Toyohashi Hanaho (Perilla Flower Spikes) (Aichi): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Thanks to greenhouse cultivation, it is shipped year-round.

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

It is a perilla spike with vivid reddish-purple petals and a fresh fragrance. Highly regarded for its high quality and year-round supply system, the volume of flower spikes handled at the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market ranks first in Japan. Exports to several countries, including the EU and the US, began about 20 years ago, and demand for the spikes has been growing in recent years due to the Japanese food boom.

Link with the production area

The area around Toyohashi City is known for its warm climate, stable water supply from the Toyokawa Irrigation Canal, and its location near the city, making it ideal for facility horticulture such as greenhouses. In particular, it has developed as a production area for "tsumamono", a type of garnish served with sashimi. When flower spikes were first produced and shipped in 1964, they were only available during the winter season. However, through the development and registration of flower spike-specific varieties by producers and the accumulation of greenhouse production techniques, it became possible to supply high-quality flower spikes year-round.

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.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.

Find online (opens in a new tab)

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

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It is sold mainly to restaurants and food businesses, so retail availability is limited.

FAQ

Perilla flower spikes grown in greenhouses around Toyohashi, Aichi, and used as a garnish (tsumamono) for sashimi. They have vivid reddish-purple flowers and a fresh fragrance. Thanks to dedicated varieties and greenhouse know-how, they are shipped year-round and also exported overseas.

Toyohashi Hanaho (Perilla Flower Spikes) is produced in Toyohashi City; Gyomei-cho, Ina-cho, and Mito-cho in Toyokawa City; and Tsukude-Kiyooka in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture.

Toyohashi Hanaho (Perilla Flower Spikes) is shipped all year round. Thanks to greenhouse cultivation, it is shipped year-round.

Look for it via online shops. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Toyohashi Hanaho (Perilla Flower Spikes) was registered as a Geographical Indication on January 30, 2025 (Registration No. 159). The registered producer group is Toyohashi Onshitsu Engei Nougyo Kyodo Kumiai (Toyohashi Greenhouse and Horticulture Agricultural Cooperative).