Takata-no-Yume Rice
“Takata-no-Yume” (lit. Dream of Takata) is Rikuzentakata City’s own brand of rice. It was planted in Rikuzentakata City since June 2012. Originally named Iwata 13, the rice was developed by Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) 25 years ago while the company was still in the agriculture business. Since retreating from agriculture, the rice was preserved and kept as research material. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 and the subsequent tsunami that destroyed most of Rikuzentakata City and rendered most of its farm fields useless due to salt damage, Iwata 13 was donated (including ownership rights) to Rikuzentakata City as a contribution to restore its primary industry.
Since then, Iwata 13 was given a new life as “Takata-no-Yume”, symbolising the dreams and hope for the city’s future as it recovers from the devastating destruction that the earthquake and tsunami had caused. The rice is able to be cultivated without much reliance on chemicals like herbicides and insecticides and it is not prone to lodging (bending of the crop) and serious diseases such as rice blast; a characteristic useful not only in reducing risk of contamination in consumption but also in increasing the probable yield of rice especially since salt-damaged fields take a long time to recover and there are less fields available for cultivation.
On 11th March 2015, the rice was recognised by the Japan Onigiri Association to be the most suitable rice for onigiri (Japanese rice ball) due to its grain size, compatibility with many ingredients, and tastiness even when served cold. The rice is described as to have a large and sticky grain, with a beautiful glossy appearance and a characteristic mild sweet taste. It is said to go well with any dish, and those who ate it expressed their desire to eat it every day with a simple side dish.
If you happen to find yourself in the Kesen area, be sure to try out this rice for yourself and support the local economy of one of the most badly affected tsunami-struck regions. “Takata-no-Yume” rice is sold in beautifully wrapped packaging, and there are even 1, 2 cup portions of rice sold which are suitable for sampling the rice or as a souvenir gift. There are also other souvenirs derived from “Takata-no-Yume” rice such as senbei (rice crackers) and alcohol (beer and ale) made with the rice. A number of food outlets in Rikuzentakata City also serve “Takata-no-Yume” rice with their food (the first to do so was Hotawaka Gozen) so be make sure to spot shops that fly the “Takata-no-Yume” flag/banner and have a taste of the rice. The rice has also found its way in some eateries in Tokyo, so be sure to keep an eye out as well if you find yourself drawn to its taste and want to eat it even outside of Rikuzentakata.
Nigori sake (type of sake produced from rice with a cloudy appearance) “Yuki Shigure” produced by local sake brewery Suisen that uses “Takata no Yume” rice.
A rice planting festival for “Takata-no-Yume” is also held annually around mid to end May in Rikuzentakata so feel free to come over to participate in the seasonal planting of rice crop. Prior reservation is not required and anyone can join in. Information on the festival each year is however currently only available in Japanese and distributed locally. For enquiries about the festival, please direct them to the Rikuzentakata Concierge at visit@city.rikuzentakata.iwate.jp.
Shops Selling Takata-no-Yume Rice
Maiya Supermarkets (within Iwate Prefecture)
Iwate Ippon Matsu Shop: Yahoo Fukko Department Store
Iwate Ippon Matsu Shop: Rakuten Shopping*
Yamada-ya Head Store
Okomekan Choufu Head Store
Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store
Yamada-ya Headstore, Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Branch
Shinjuku Takashimaya
Komekura Yamada-ya, Shinjuku Takashimaya Branch
Rikuzentakata Ippon Matsu Chaya
Address: 138-5 Dotekage, Kesen-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 0192-22-7700
Fax: 0192-22-7701
Itouseimai
Address: 4-26-14 Ikebukuro, Nakano-ku, Tokyo Metropolis
Tel: 03-3386-5651
Eateries that use Takata-no-Yume Rice
In Tokyo Metropolis
Shizenha Grill Bar Harajuku Hutte
Address: 3-62-14 1F Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Metropolis
Approximately 2 min walk from JR Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit
Tel: 050-5592-6258
Nihonshu Bar Kurayoshi Toranomon Branch
Address: Toranomon 5825 Daiichi Building 1F, 1-8-11 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Metropolis
Approximately 5 min walk from Uchisaiwai-cho Station and 2 min walk from Toranomon Station
Nihonshu Bar Kurayoshi Shinagawa Branch
Address: Shinagawa Ground Central Tower B1F, 2-16-14 Minato-minami, Minato-ku, Tokyo Metropolis
Approximately 3 min walk from JR Shinagawa Station
Maguro no Ittetsu Akihabara Branch
Address: 1 First Building 2F, Kanda Matsunaga-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Metropolis
Kome to Sakana Shuzo Michael Takadababa
Address: Tomon Building 3F, 2-18-11 Takatababa, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Metropolis
Approximately 1 min walk from JR Takatababa Station, Waseda Exit
In Iwate Prefecture
ART HOTEL Morioka
Address: 3-3-18, Odori, Morioka-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 019-625-2131
Iwate University Co-op (only in December)
Address: 3-18-34, Ueda, Morioka-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 019-652-2229
Yakiniku Noroshi
Address: 49-1, Matsumine, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 0192-47-5529.
Café Food Bar Wai Wai
Address: 93-1-7, Osumi, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 0192-47-4290
Bricks.808
Address: 7-5 Omachi, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 0192-33-1034
Takekoma Shokudo
Address: 63-4 Tate, Takekoma-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel/Fax: 0192-47-4566
Takekoma Shokudo Yahagi Branch (only for Dream Village guests)
Address: 16-1 Mimikire, Yahagi-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 050-5578-6310
Dining Shibata
Address: 108-1 Nishiwano, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 0192-22-7791
Rikumaru
Address: 93-1 Omachi, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 0192-47-3653
Riku Café
Address: 22-9 Naruishi, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 0192-22-7311
Iwate Sanriku no Yado Minshuku Numataya
Address: 179-2 Kawauchi, Yonesaki-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 0192-55-2542
Fax: 0192-22-7085
Capital Hotel 1000
Address: 60-1 Nagasuka, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 0192-55-3111
Fax: 0192-55-3500
Teru Teru
Address: 3-1 Takinosato, Takekoma-cho, Rikuzentakata-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel/Fax: 0192-54-5203
Tsurukame Sushi
Address: Omachi, Takata-cho, Rikuzentakata
Tel: 0192-54-2998
Berino Hotel Ichinoseki (Seasonal)
Address: 179 Yamanome Santanda, Ichinoseki-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Products that use “Takata no Yume” Rice
Takata no Yume Senbei
Address: 84-4 Sano, Akasaki-cho, Ofunato-shi, Iwate Prefecture
Tel: 0192-26-2134
