Kagoshima Prefecture is one of Japan’s leading producers of early-season rice, supplying freshly harvested rice to markets throughout the country ahead of many other regions. Tanegashima Island is particularly well known as an early-rice production area.
Taking advantage of the prefecture’s warm climate, rice is cultivated in two main growing seasons. Early-season rice is harvested from mid-July, while regular-season rice is harvested between September and November.
Koshihikari is the main variety grown in both seasons. Other varieties include Ikubikari and Natsuhonoka for early-season cultivation, and Akihonami for regular-season cultivation.