Protected local food
Mishima Potato
三島馬鈴薯
May Queen potatoes dug by hand on the west slopes of Hakone, in Mishima and Kannami, Shizuoka. Smooth-skinned, sweet and good keepers.
Key facts
- Registered as a protected name
- 12 October 2016
- Region
- Chubu
- Official name in Japanese
- 三島馬鈴薯
- Official area (in Japanese)
- 静岡県三島市の箱根西麓地域（佐野、徳倉、沢地、川原ヶ谷山田、川原ヶ谷小沢、川原ヶ谷元山中、塚原新田、市山新田、三ツ谷新田、笹原新田、山中新田、谷田台崎、玉沢） 静岡県田方郡函南町の箱根西麓地域（桑原、大竹、平井、丹那、畑、田代、軽井沢）
Hand-dug on the Hakone slopes
The fields sit on south-facing slopes on the west side of Hakone, above Mishima in Shizuoka. The soil holds water but lets air through, which potatoes like. The slopes are too steep for big harvesting machines, so every potato is dug by hand, which leaves the skin clean and smooth.
Worth paying more for
The variety is May Queen, a long, smooth potato popular in Japan. After digging, potatoes are dried in the air and checked strictly, so they taste sweet and keep well. On Japan's big wholesale markets they sell for 20 to 50 percent more than May Queen from other areas at the same time of year.
How to eat it
May Queen holds its shape, so it suits stews, curry and Japanese nikujaga (meat and potato stew). Croquettes made with Mishima potatoes are a local favourite.
Good to know
- Mishima is a stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen and a gateway to Hakone and Mount Fuji views. Look for potato croquettes near the station.
- Farm stands on the Hakone slopes sell potatoes in season.
Questions travellers ask
Where is Mishima Potato grown?
On the west slopes of Hakone, in Mishima city and Kannami town, Shizuoka Prefecture.
What variety is it?
May Queen, an oval, smooth potato that holds its shape when cooked.
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.