Rice
Rice is a staple of the Japanese diet, and we've developed cultivation techniques that limit the use of agricultural chemicals and instead rely on environmentally friendly fertilizers. Aichi's main rice varieties are Aichinokaori and Koshihikari from the plains regions and Mineasahi from the mountain regions, with Aichinokaori and Mineasahi being the most delicious varieties developed here.
Cabbage
Aichi has the oldest tradition of cabbage cultivation in Japan, and thanks to the availability of water for agriculture, Aichi has become one of the country's leading producers, with the industry now concentrated in the eastern Mikawa region.
The bulk of Aichi's cabbage output takes place between November and April, but output in May and June has also grown.
Tomatoes
Due the variety of tomatoes and growing methods employed, Aichi is able to produce tomatoes all year round, with cultivation largely taking place in glass or plastic greenhouses. One distinctive Aichi product is the “first tomato.” In the Mikawa mountain region, varieties that don't require pollination are grown.
Shiso
Cultivation of aojiso, a macrophyll cultivar of the shiso plant, has flourished in Aichi, making the prefecture one of Japan's leading shiso producers. The plant is largely grown in greenhouses in the eastern Mikawa region and is produced throughout the year.
Fuki
The Aichiwase cultivar currently accounts for about 70% of Japan's fuki (giant butterbur) cultivation. This plant has been grown in the Chita area since the 1890s, and Aichi is one of Japan's main producers today.
Strawberries
Strawberries are produced between November and May, and most cultivation takes place in plastic greenhouses. Cultivation of the Yumenoka variety bred in Aichi has been steadily on the rise.
Satsuma Mandarin Oranges
The cultivation of “greenhouse mandarins” throughout Japan had its beginnings in Aichi in 1969. Two famous brands are the Gamagori Onshitsu Mikan from the city of Gamagori, and the Mihamakko brand from the town of Mihama.
Figs
Figs are cultivated in the cities of Anjo and Hekinan as well as in other parts of Aichi, with the prefecture being Japan's foremost producer. Since the introduction of refrigerated distribution systems in 1985, Aichi producers have been able to ship fresh, ripe, juicy figs right to the tables of consumers.
Grapes
Aichi was the first prefecture to establish techniques for growing seedless grapes. Grapes are widely bought and consumed during the growing season, through direct sales as well as through recreational grape-picking activities.
Chrysanthemums
One of the characteristics of chrysanthemums is that their blooming is triggered by a shortening in sunlight hours. Growers can take advantage of this characteristic, artificially lengthening daylight hours to produce flowers with a later blooming period by means of a cultivation method called grow-light cultivation. This technique for growing chrysanthemums was first developed in Aichi Prefecture and is now used throughout Japan.
Tropical Orchids
Full-scale tropical orchid cultivation in Aichi began in 1965. Many different varieties are grown today, including Cymbidium orchids, Phalaenopsis orchids, and Dendrobium orchids.
House Plants
Full-scale cultivation of ornamental house plants in Aichi began in 1955. Today, Aichi is a major producer, accounting for about half the house plants grown in Japan. An extremely wide variety of house plants is grown here.
Roses
Aichi is a major Japanese producer of roses, which are grown throughout the prefecture but particularly in eastern Mikawa. Lately, with many new varieties being introduced, more people are giving roses as Father's Day gifts and as presents for other occasions.
Carnations
Carnation production reaches its peak with the coming of Mother's Day, which takes place on the second Sunday of May. An enormous variety of carnations, including both normal and spray carnations, are grown here. Aichi has become Japan's largest producer of carnations.
Tencha
Tencha is a type of green tea grown in the western Mikawa plains around Nishio, Kira, and Toyota. It's used for making matcha (powdered tea), and Aichi has become one of the most important prefectures where tencha is produced. Tencha is now sold under the regional trademarked brand name Nishio Matcha,
Cyclamens
The Cyclamen genus of flowers is one of Japan's most beautiful and resplendent winter flowers. They can last a long time if they get lots of sunlight, and their withered flowers are picked right away.
Ginkgo Nuts (Ginnan)
The Ginkgo, also known as the Maidenhair Tree, was planted long ago in the area of Sofue in Inazawa to provide shelter from the cold winter winds of Mt. Ibuki and to prevent the spread of fire, should one break out. Some of these gigantic trees are now more than a hundred years old, and during late autumn a golden hue stretches across this beautiful landscape.
Eggplants
The eggplant comes into season during the summer. However, in Aichi Prefecture, eggplants are shipped and sold year-round because they are grown in both open fields and greenhouses. Within the prefecture, the majority of the medium to large eggplants sold and shipped are a type called Senryo, and within Aichi Prefecture, advances in research continue for cultivating a new variety with a spineless stem that does not require pollination.
Persimmons
Persimmons are produced mainly in Toyohashi, which focuses on a variety called the Jiro Persimmon. This variety is characterized by its firm texture are deeply rich, sweet taste. In addition, in the town of Kota, a special, local variety exists called the Fude Persimmon, so called because its shape resembles an ink brush (fude).
Melons
In Aichi Prefecture, melons have been grown since the Meiji Period. Growing in plastic greenhouses has become popular, and the production area is quite expansive with a focus in the eastern Mikawa region.
Among greenhouse melons, the Earl’s Melon, which is also called the Musk Melon, is sold and shipped as a high-end product.
Cucumbers
In Aichi Prefecture, cucumbers are grown in plastic greenhouses, allowing them to be produced and shipped for a long period, from winter through early summer. Beginning with Anjo City, the western Mikawa region is an expansive production area within the prefecture.
Asian Pears
The Asian pear has been grown in Aichi Prefecture since the late 19th century, and currently it is grown in places such as Toyota, Toyohashi, and Anjo. The varieties grown include Kosui, Hosui, Niitaka, and Atago, fondly nicknamed the “jumbo pear,” as well as Yosui and Kangetsu, which were developed in Aichi Prefecture.
Peaches
Familiar varieties such as the white peach started to be widely cultivated during the early 20th century. In Aichi Prefecture, the juicy, soft Hakuho is the most commonly grown, and it is sold and shipped from the middle of July until the end of the month.
Chicken
Free-range chicken farming began during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and today chicken farming is carried out without outside contact. Temperature and ventilation is carefully controlled, and new “windowless chicken coops” are being developed to ensure greater hygiene.
Pork
Aichi produces about 640,000 pigs each year, which is about one-third of the pork consumed by the population of Aichi. In order to provide delicious, high-quality pork for consumers, pork producers have been supplied with top-notch pig breeds.
Dairy Cows
Dairy cows are raised on the Atsumi and Chita Peninsulas. Lately, the industry has relied less on labor and become more automated, with the introduction of advanced technologies such as milking robots.
