Protected local food
Nango Tomatoes
南郷トマト
Summer and autumn tomatoes from the cool mountains of Minamiaizu in Fukushima. Known for steady, good flavour and cooled in a snow-chilled store before shipping.
Key facts
- Registered as a protected name
- 6 August 2018
- Region
- Tohoku
- Official name in Japanese
- 南郷トマト
- Official area (in Japanese)
- 福島県南会津郡南会津町、只見町、下郷町
Cool mountain summers
Minamiaizu, Tadami and Shimogo lie deep in the mountains of southern Fukushima. Summers here are cool with big swings between day and night, just what tomatoes grown for summer and autumn need.
Snow in the cool store
Over many years growers have worked together: rain shelters over the plants, a shared sorting system, and a storehouse chilled with winter snow to cool the tomatoes before shipping. The area has produced more than 2,000 tonnes a year for over 40 years, and its tomatoes sell for around 10 percent more than other Fukushima tomatoes in Tokyo's markets.
How to eat it
Eat them fresh and chilled with a pinch of salt. In summer, farm stands in Minamiaizu sell them by the bag.
Good to know
- Minamiaizu is near Ouchi-juku, an old post town with thatched roofs. Summer tomatoes make a good roadside snack on the drive.
- In Fukushima, also try Aizu Jidori and, in winter, Date Anpo Gaki.
Questions travellers ask
When are Nango tomatoes in season?
Summer to autumn.
Where are they grown?
In Minamiaizu, Tadami and Shimogo, in the mountains of southern Fukushima.
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.