Oshu City's 'Hitomebore' Rice Receives Highest 'Special A' Rating in Taste Ranking for the 24th Time!
Oshu City's 'Hitomebore' rice has received the highest 'Special A' rating in the taste ranking for the 24th time. This press release details the rice's characteristics, the secrets behind Oshu City's reputation as a rice-producing region, and introduces various Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) return gifts.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (18h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 2, 2026 at 13:59 (24h 20m after Collected)
The 'Hitomebore' rice from the southern part of Iwate Prefecture, to which Oshu City belongs, has received the highest 'Special A' rating in the '54th Rice Taste Ranking 2026' announced annually by the Japan Grain Inspection Association. This marks the 24th time it has achieved this recognition.
[Japan Grain Inspection Association HP] https://www.kokken.or.jp/index.html
[Oshu City Furusato Nozei Special Site] https://www.city.oshu.iwate.jp/hurusato_tax/index.html
## About the Rice Taste Ranking
The rice taste ranking is a system for evaluating rice based on its taste, conducted annually by the Japan Grain Inspection Association. This time, 144 types of rice from different production areas and varieties across Japan were subject to evaluation. The evaluation method involves multiple expert judges assessing the rice's taste, aroma, stickiness, and other qualities, and rating them on a five-point scale.
## About Oshu City's Hitomebore Rice
Hitomebore rice has a moderate stickiness and softness, characterized by well-separated grains when cooked. Its taste offers a balanced sweetness and umami, making it suitable for any meal. Furthermore, it does not harden easily when cold and remains moist over time, making it ideal for bento boxes and onigiri, allowing you to enjoy its unchanging deliciousness even after a while.
## Secrets of its Deliciousness and Why it's Called a Rice-Producing Region
Oshu City has long been known as a region with an optimal environment for rice cultivation. The 'Isawa Alluvial Fan,' one of Japan's largest alluvial fans, spreads across the area, and clear, pristine water flows from the Isawa River, which originates from Mt. Yakeishi in the Yakeishi Mountain Range. Additionally, the combination of clean air nurtured by abundant greenery and significant temperature differences creates delicious rice.
Moreover, Oshu City has been cultivating rice using cow manure as fertilizer since before and after World War II. The rice grows with these nutrients, and the rice straw, in turn, becomes feed for the cows. It is because of this sustainable, cyclical rice cultivation that Oshu City is called a rice-producing region.
## Introduction of Oshu City's Furusato Nozei Return Gifts
### [Selectable Shipping Period] Iwate Furusato Rice 5～20.6kg
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f032158-oshu/item0281/
(Donation amount: 14,000 yen to 53,000 yen)
This return gift is so popular that one out of three people becomes a repeat customer.
A new '3kg' return gift with a zipper, which stands on its own for space-saving storage and maintains freshness, will be available soon!
### [Subscription] Iwate Furusato Rice 5kg×2・3・6・12 months ≪Selectable Delivery Period (1～3 months)≫
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f032158-oshu/item0111/
(Donation amount: 28,000 yen to 160,000 yen)
Furusato Nozei subscription for Iwate Furusato Rice, delivered once a month in multiple installments, is also available in 10kg and 20kg options. You can enjoy it throughout the year.
### [Sun-dried] Hitomebore 600g～30kg
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f032158-oshu/item1035/
(Donation amount: 7,500 yen to 119,000 yen)
Freshly milled on the day of shipment, delivering fresh rice to you!
Sun-drying, a laborious process, creates a chewy, soft texture and rich stickiness.
### [Wash-free Packaged Rice] Esashi Kinsatsumai Hitomebore 5kg/10kg (2kg×5)
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f032158-oshu/item0217/
(Donation amount: 21,000 yen/41,000 yen)
The Esashi Kinsatsumai brand is rice cultivated with reduced pesticides and chemical fertilizers, making it gentle on both people and the environment.
Furthermore, it is 'wash-free' rice that can be used without rinsing, making it safe, hassle-free, and economical.
### [Packaged Rice] Oshu Taro Package Hitomebore 150g×12/24/36 pieces
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f032158-oshu/item1338/
(Donation amount: 14,000 yen to 33,000 yen)
After harvesting, the rice is dried at our own factory and sorted by a color sorter to select only first-grade rice.
Delivered in packaging featuring Oshu City's official mascot character, 'Oshu Taro.'
[Contact]
Furusato Exchange Division, Policy Planning Department, Oshu City Hall, Iwate Prefecture
Furusato Support Section
TEL: 0197-34-2116
mail: oshufan@city.oshu.iwate.jp
[Japan Grain Inspection Association HP] https://www.kokken.or.jp/index.html
[Oshu City Furusato Nozei Special Site] https://www.city.oshu.iwate.jp/hurusato_tax/index.html
## About the Rice Taste Ranking
The rice taste ranking is a system for evaluating rice based on its taste, conducted annually by the Japan Grain Inspection Association. This time, 144 types of rice from different production areas and varieties across Japan were subject to evaluation. The evaluation method involves multiple expert judges assessing the rice's taste, aroma, stickiness, and other qualities, and rating them on a five-point scale.
## About Oshu City's Hitomebore Rice
Hitomebore rice has a moderate stickiness and softness, characterized by well-separated grains when cooked. Its taste offers a balanced sweetness and umami, making it suitable for any meal. Furthermore, it does not harden easily when cold and remains moist over time, making it ideal for bento boxes and onigiri, allowing you to enjoy its unchanging deliciousness even after a while.
## Secrets of its Deliciousness and Why it's Called a Rice-Producing Region
Oshu City has long been known as a region with an optimal environment for rice cultivation. The 'Isawa Alluvial Fan,' one of Japan's largest alluvial fans, spreads across the area, and clear, pristine water flows from the Isawa River, which originates from Mt. Yakeishi in the Yakeishi Mountain Range. Additionally, the combination of clean air nurtured by abundant greenery and significant temperature differences creates delicious rice.
Moreover, Oshu City has been cultivating rice using cow manure as fertilizer since before and after World War II. The rice grows with these nutrients, and the rice straw, in turn, becomes feed for the cows. It is because of this sustainable, cyclical rice cultivation that Oshu City is called a rice-producing region.
## Introduction of Oshu City's Furusato Nozei Return Gifts
### [Selectable Shipping Period] Iwate Furusato Rice 5～20.6kg
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f032158-oshu/item0281/
(Donation amount: 14,000 yen to 53,000 yen)
This return gift is so popular that one out of three people becomes a repeat customer.
A new '3kg' return gift with a zipper, which stands on its own for space-saving storage and maintains freshness, will be available soon!
### [Subscription] Iwate Furusato Rice 5kg×2・3・6・12 months ≪Selectable Delivery Period (1～3 months)≫
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f032158-oshu/item0111/
(Donation amount: 28,000 yen to 160,000 yen)
Furusato Nozei subscription for Iwate Furusato Rice, delivered once a month in multiple installments, is also available in 10kg and 20kg options. You can enjoy it throughout the year.
### [Sun-dried] Hitomebore 600g～30kg
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f032158-oshu/item1035/
(Donation amount: 7,500 yen to 119,000 yen)
Freshly milled on the day of shipment, delivering fresh rice to you!
Sun-drying, a laborious process, creates a chewy, soft texture and rich stickiness.
### [Wash-free Packaged Rice] Esashi Kinsatsumai Hitomebore 5kg/10kg (2kg×5)
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f032158-oshu/item0217/
(Donation amount: 21,000 yen/41,000 yen)
The Esashi Kinsatsumai brand is rice cultivated with reduced pesticides and chemical fertilizers, making it gentle on both people and the environment.
Furthermore, it is 'wash-free' rice that can be used without rinsing, making it safe, hassle-free, and economical.
### [Packaged Rice] Oshu Taro Package Hitomebore 150g×12/24/36 pieces
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/f032158-oshu/item1338/
(Donation amount: 14,000 yen to 33,000 yen)
After harvesting, the rice is dried at our own factory and sorted by a color sorter to select only first-grade rice.
Delivered in packaging featuring Oshu City's official mascot character, 'Oshu Taro.'
[Contact]
Furusato Exchange Division, Policy Planning Department, Oshu City Hall, Iwate Prefecture
Furusato Support Section
TEL: 0197-34-2116
mail: oshufan@city.oshu.iwate.jp