Protected local food
Dojo Hachiya Kaki
堂上蜂屋柿
A large dried persimmon from Minokamo in Gifu, amber and very sweet. Its name recalls the court nobles it was once presented to.
Key facts
- Registered as a protected name
- 15 December 2017
- Region
- Chubu
- Official name in Japanese
- 堂上蜂屋柿
- Official area (in Japanese)
- 岐阜県美濃加茂市
Fit for the court
Dojo were the nobles of the old imperial court, and these persimmons have long been known as the ones presented to them. Today they are still one of Japan's most prized dried fruit gifts, made in Minokamo in Gifu.
Sun, frost and a straw brush
Minokamo sits in a basin with big swings between day and night temperatures, which makes very sweet persimmons. The drying season is mostly sunny with cold mornings, so the fruit dries slowly instead of too fast. Makers finish each one with a traditional straw brush, called nio-boki, to give an even shape and finish.
Big, soft and sweet
Each dried fruit weighs about 80 g on average. The flesh is amber, soft and has very little fibre, and the sugar content can reach 65 degrees Brix, closer to candy than to fresh fruit.
Good to know
- They are expensive and sold in gift boxes. Look for them in department stores and Minokamo shops in winter.
- Compare with other dried persimmons: Ichida Kaki from Nagano and Noto Shika Korogaki from Ishikawa.
- Gifu is also home to Hida beef.
Questions travellers ask
What does dojo mean?
Dojo were court nobles in old Japan. The name recalls that these persimmons were presented to them.
Where are they made?
Minokamo city, Gifu Prefecture, in central Japan.
Where it comes from
More protected foods from the same area
Crafts from the same area
Heritage stories from the same area
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.