Niigata boasts the largest edamame cultivation area in Japan

Niigata locals can’t get enough of edamame

When people think of Niigata, rice often comes to mind—but the region’s abundant water and fertile soil provide much more. One such gift is edamame. In Niigata, edamame has a long history, traditionally grown along the edges of rice fields. Back in the Showa era, it was common for children to help by removing the pods from the stems, making it a familiar part of everyday life.

The largest cultivation area in Japan

Niigata is Japan’s undisputed “Edamame Kingdom,” with the largest cultivation area in the country. However, it ranks only seventh in shipment volume—because locals eat so much of it themselves!

While edamame is a popular snack with beer across Japan, in Niigata, it takes center stage in summer. At home, families serve heaping piles of edamame on the table—an impressive sight! The local love for edamame runs so deep that the governor even named this generous serving style “Niigata Edamame-mori” (Niigata-style edamame platter). It’s this delicious taste that justifies the abundance.