Good Broccoli Day
Food DaysWhat Is Good Broccoli Day?
November 26th is "Good Broccoli Day" (Ii Burokkorii no Hi) in Japan. Based on a wordplay reading 11/26 as "ii buro(kkorii)," it was established by Yasui Farm, an agricultural producer and seller in Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture. It was registered with the Japan Anniversary Association in 2022 to promote broccoli consumption.
From Dinner-Table Staple to a "Designated Vegetable"
Broccoli is a familiar vegetable in Japan, popular in bento boxes, salads, and side dishes thanks to its bright color and ease of use. Its shipments have grown in recent years, and its status under national policy has changed significantly.
- Origin of the date: Reading 11/26 as "ii (11) buro (26) kkorii"
- Established by: Yasui Farm of Hakusan, Ishikawa Prefecture (registered in 2022)
- Purpose: To expand broccoli consumption
- Designated vegetable: Added to the Ministry of Agriculture's list of "designated vegetables" from fiscal 2026
The First New Designated Vegetable in About Half a Century
Designated vegetables are items the national government recognizes as especially important to daily life due to high consumption. They are covered by systems for stable supply, such as payments to growers when prices fall sharply. Broccoli joined the list from fiscal 2026 -- the first addition since potatoes in 1974, about half a century earlier. The background is that while shipments of many vegetables have fallen with Japan's shrinking population, broccoli shipments rose by roughly 30% over about a decade.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Make a salad, soup, or stir-fry with broccoli
- Slice up the stem, which often gets thrown away, and use it too
- Look up which vegetables are on the designated list
- Add broccoli to your bento for a splash of color
A Day for the Little Green Tree to Take Center Stage
Often seen as just a side dish, broccoli has become an important vegetable whose stable supply is now backed by the government. November 26th is a day to enjoy a dish where broccoli is the star.