Tokushima Carrot Day

What Is Tokushima Carrot Day?

April 12th is "Tokushima Carrot Day" in Japan, established by the Tokushima Carrot Promotion Council, based within JA Zennoh Tokushima, and certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association. The date comes from a pun on "yo (4) i (1) ni (2) njin" ("good carrot"), and coincides with the peak shipping season for Tokushima-grown carrots.

Tokushima's Nationally Leading Carrot Production

Tokushima Prefecture is known as a major production area for spring and summer carrots.

• Shipping volume: Tokushima is said to account for roughly 30% of Japan's spring and summer carrot shipments, and ranks first nationwide in spring and summer carrot shipments. Production is centered in Itano District (Itano, Aizumi and other towns) on the north bank of the lower Yoshino River
• Growing method: grown inside large tunnels covered with vinyl sheeting, shipped as "shin-ninjin" (new, or spring, carrots) known for their sweetness and tenderness. Carrots are normally in season from autumn to winter, but tunnel cultivation warms the soil and speeds up the harvest, making fresh carrots available in spring, when previously only stored carrots were on the market
• The day's purpose: to help more people across Japan discover the delicious taste of Tokushima-grown carrots

PR Activities Timed to the Anniversary

To mark the anniversary, promotional events are held at wholesale markets and elsewhere, highlighting the sweetness and freshness of Tokushima-grown carrots. Because rain does not reach the plants inside the tunnels and they grow in relatively dry conditions, the carrots are said to turn out tender and sweet.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Buy some Tokushima-grown carrots and try them for yourself
• Make the most of new carrots' tenderness by enjoying them raw—in salads, as sticks, or as juice
• Expand your repertoire of carrot-based dishes
• Learn about the history and characteristics of carrot farming in Tokushima
• Explore what other vegetables are in season during spring

Sweet, Tender Spring Flavor, Nurtured Inside Growing Tunnels

Carefully grown inside vinyl-covered tunnels, Tokushima's new carrots are prized for a sweetness and tenderness so pronounced they can even be eaten raw. Let April 12th be a chance to bring Tokushima's in-season carrots to your table.