Tsuyahime is a premium branded rice variety developed by Yamagata Prefecture over many years and is now one of the region’s signature agricultural products. As its name suggests, Tsuyahime is particularly known for the beautiful shine and bright white appearance of the cooked rice. The grains are also notably uniform, giving the rice an elegant and high-quality appearance.
Tsuyahime was developed by Yamagata Prefecture over approximately 10 years and was officially introduced in 2010.
Its history can be traced back to “Kamenoo,” a rice variety cultivated in Yamagata since the Meiji period (1868–1912). Kamenoo is also known as an important ancestor of later rice varieties, including Koshihikari and Haenuki. Tsuyahime belongs to this lineage and carries forward some of the qualities that made Kamenoo highly regarded for its taste.
The appeal of Tsuyahime goes beyond its beautiful appearance. The cooked rice has a bright white color, an attractive sheen, and remarkably uniform grains, giving it a refined look on the dining table.
When eaten, it has a smooth and pleasant texture, followed by rich umami and a gentle natural sweetness. Its elegant flavor makes it suitable not only for everyday meals but also for special occasions when the quality of the rice itself can be appreciated.
Although Tsuyahime is a relatively new variety, it has received high recognition for both its quality and eating characteristics and has become widely known as one of Yamagata’s representative rice varieties.
Born from Yamagata’s rich natural environment and long history of rice cultivation, Tsuyahime is an excellent way to experience one of the region’s most important agricultural traditions. When visiting Yamagata, try it together with local cuisine and enjoy its beautiful shine, rich umami, and gentle sweetness.