Local specialties

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Tobe-yaki

Tobe-yaki

With a proud history dating back nearly 240 years, Tobe-yaki ware has been designated as a Traditional Craft by the Japanese government, and as an Intangible Cultural Property by the Ehime prefectural government. Tobe-yaki is characterized by indigo-color designs on fine white porcelain surfaces, shapes that are stylish but not too pretentious, and durable, high-quality materials.

In recent years, women and young potters have added a modern touch to Tobe-yaki, creating many new and fun designs for tableware, small items, and other porcelain objects. With nearly 100 potteries creating masterful works, you are bound to find the perfect porcelain items for your needs.

Local sake rice wine

Local sake rice wine

One of Tobe Town's representative products is its own sake, a delicious rice wine with a deep, rich flavor.
Tobe's brand of sake is also sold under the "Tokaido" label.

Japanese ume (plum) products

Japanese ume (plum) products

"Nanaore Koume" is a variety of ume that is cultivated in Tobe. Nanaore is characterized by its light yellow, almost translucent color, its small pits, and its soft, fleshy fruit. It is also less sour and more aromatic than other varieties.

In addition to traditional umeboshi, many other products are made from Nanaore ume, including jam, syrup, tea, wine, and salad dressing, to name a few. A product was awarded an excellent prize in the All Japan Umeboshi Competition.

Click here to go to the web site of the Nanaore Baien (plum orchard)

Fruits

Fruits

A bounty of fruits, the blessings of nature, are grown in Tobe Town.

In addition to local citrus fruit varieties like Beni Madonna, Iyokan, and Decopon, Tobe growers also produce such fruits as strawberries, grapes, pears, and kiwis. In Tobe, you can enjoy fresh fruits the year round.

Soy sauce, miso, konnyaku (gelled devil's tongue)

Soy sauce, miso, konnyaku (gelled devil's tongue)

Soy sauce is produced by hand in giant wooden barrels in soy sauce factories. Local residents take great pleasure in savoring the fine flavors of their soy sauce and miso, which have not changed over the centuries.

For centuries, Japanese have used tubers called "devil's tongue" to create a gelled food called konnyaku. Much time and effort are dedicated to preserving the traditional method of making konnyaku by hand. Please enjoy a special taste of konnyaku.

Jinenjo yams

Jinenjo yams

With its splendid geographical features, the Hirota district is an ideal place for cultivation methods that are as close to natural as possible. The taste, flavor, and glutinousness of Jinenjo yams are unlike those obtained from any other method.

Click here to go to the Jinenjo yam page

Dried shiitake mushrooms

Dried shiitake mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms, which are cultivated and dried in the fresh, clean air of the Hirota district, receive the blessings of the Hirota mountains, providing them with a unique flavor that is unlike that of raw mushrooms. Come and taste the fresh, clean flavor of the mountains.

Click here to go to the Dried shiitake mushrooms page

Firewood

Firewood

Tobe's mountains are home to many tree species such as live oak, dogwood, hackberry, cedar and cypress that produce excellent firewood.
This firewood is sold at reasonable prices, so please consider buying some for your wood-burning stove or campfire.

Cakes, pastries, and snack foods

Cakes, pastries, and snack foods

Many types of snack foods and pastries are produced in the Tobe area, from long-cherished foods to foods with a distinctively modern look. Typical snacks and pastries include Shiba-mochi rice dumplings, cakes, cheescakes made with soybean curd, and cookies.

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