The trust built over 20+ years has resulted in the 500th honey. Introducing the 500th variety in the "Single Origin Honey" series, delivering the unique character of each flower, land, and season.

Kaneichi Shoten Co., Ltd. (Head Office: 21 Nakanocho, Nishikikoji, Sanjo, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto) will launch "0500 Akashiia Honey from Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture" on July 1, 2026 (Wed), which will be the 500th variety in the "Single Origin Honey Series," where honey is commercialized according to the flower, land, and harvest time.

The commemorative 500th variety is Akashiia honey from Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, the same as "0001," the origin of the series launched in March 2020. The journey with beekeepers, with whom we have built trust for over 20 years, has led us from the first item to the 500th variety.

Product Information

Single Origin Honey Series

Release Date: July 1, 2026 (Wed)

0500 Raw Honey Akashiia Honey from Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, 140g

Price: 1,728 yen (tax included)

Type: Simple

Harvest Date: June 9, 2026

Features: Clear taste with no peculiar flavor. High sugar content and a solid sweetness.

"Single Origin Honey" that records the individuality of each flower, land, and season

The Single Origin Honey series records honey as a single product based on its "nectar source (flower)," "harvesting location," and "harvesting period." Even honey from the same flower will have a significantly different taste depending on the land, year, and harvesting period.

It began in March 2020 with the desire of the third-generation president, Honey Hunter Takusaburo Ichikawa, to "convey that honey also has a story like wine vintages."

Of course, because it is dependent on nature, there are years when it cannot be harvested as expected. Many honeys have not been commercialized because sufficient quantities could not be secured due to factors such as delayed blooming, heavy rain, or extreme heat.

Therefore, the number 500 is not just a record of 500 types of products, but a record of 500 encounters while continuing to face nature.

"Akashiia Honey" that connected the first item and the 500th variety

Akashiia honey from Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, which graces the Single Origin Honey "0500," holds a special meaning for Kaneichi Shoten. The very first item in the Single Origin Honey series, "0001," launched in 2020, was also Akashiia honey from Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture.

Kaneichi Shoten has done business with over 50 beekeepers both domestically and internationally, introducing honeys that bring out the unique characteristics of each region and nectar source. Among them, "Akashiia Honey" is the most representative nectar source in the Single Origin Honey series, with 72 varieties released out of the 500 types.

Akita, Aomori, Hokkaido, Fukushima, Nagano, Osaka, and internationally, Hungary. Even with the same "Akashiia," the taste differs completely depending on the land and harvest period.

Among these, Aomori and Akita Prefectures are important production areas where some of the highest quality Akashiia honey in Japan can be harvested.

Trust relationship with beekeepers spanning over 20 years

We have been working with a beekeeper in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, for over 20 years, making him one of our longest-standing partners.

Our relationship with this beekeeper began with transactions with his late father. Later, after his father retired due to illness and passed away, his son, who had been helping with beekeeping, took over and continues to deliver high-quality honey to us.

Our relationship has grown beyond that of a business partner to a family-level connection, as evidenced by being invited to his wedding in 2018. Currently, as our children are of similar ages, we sometimes discuss parenting, demonstrating a long and deep trust relationship.

Honey that continued without interruption, even when not harvested

Many beekeepers who harvest Akashiia honey in Aomori Prefecture are migratory beekeepers who travel north from Kyushu with their bees. Since they raise their bees from early spring in Kyushu, where flowers bloom earlier, their colonies are quick to establish. In Aomori, after harvesting apple honey, they can move on to harvesting Akashiia honey. The fact that their colonies are prepared is a major strength, allowing them to align with the Akashiia flowers in Tohoku in good condition. However, this journey is by no means smooth every year.

There were years when only about one-third of the normal amount was harvested due to discrepancies in blooming periods or unfavorable weather conditions.

Nevertheless, by sharing the maximum possible amount of honey each year, it has become one of the few honeys we have been able to continuously procure from 2019 to 2026.

From 0001 to 0500. And beyond.

The Akashiia honey from Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, in 2026, was harvested in modest quantities, partly due to early blooming. However, the sugar content is high, and the taste is very clear. Its mild flavor and transparent, elegant sweetness are truly characteristic of Akashiia honey, often called the "queen of honeys."

From 0001 to 0500—

This Akashiia honey from Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, is not just a milestone product. It symbolizes the trust built by Kaneichi Shoten and its beekeepers over 20+ years, and the journey of Single Origin Honey itself.

"0500" is not only the culmination of the 500-variety journey but also a new starting point. Honey Hunter Takusaburo Ichikawa will continue to deliver encounters with honeys born only in specific lands and specific years, together with beekeepers from all over Japan and the world.

Sales Locations

- Miel Miel Sanjo Main Store 21 Nakanocho, Nishikikoji, Sanjo, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8083

- Miel Miel Kyoto Takashimaya Store Kyoto Takashimaya B1F, 52 Shinmachi, Kawaramachi Nishiiru, Shijo-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8520

- Miel Miel Hankyu Umeda Store Hankyu Umeda Main Store B2F, 7-8 Kakuta-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8350

- Miel Miel Net Shop https://miel-mie.com/

〇 Release regarding Single Origin Honey

Introducing "Single Origin Honey" that brings out the individuality of each "nectar source, harvesting location, and harvesting period," with 100 types of honey from over 20 countries worldwide and 20 prefectures in Japan gathered together (PRTIMES)

URL:https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000021.000025887.html

〇 Honey Hunter Takusaburo Ichikawa

As the third-generation president of Kaneichi Shoten, Takusaburo Ichikawa personally handles honey procurement. He is a Honey Hunter who visits beekeepers throughout Japan and the world to procure honey. He consumes over 300 types of honey annually, and his annual travel distance exceeds approximately 52,000 kilometers, equivalent to 1.3 times around the Earth. By visiting beekeepers directly, he confirms with his own eyes and palate the environment and methods by which honey is harvested. Only then does he deliver "safe, secure, and high-quality honey" to customers.

○ Honey Specialty Store Miel Miel

A honey specialty store operated by Kaneichi Shoten, founded in 1930. Miel Miel started its business under this name in 1998 and is supported not only by locals but also by customers from afar due to its wide variety of honeys and charming packaging. Their product lineup includes not only pure honey but also processed honey products, honey confectionery, and mead. In particular, for domestic honey, they visit beekeepers directly and participate in honey harvesting to procure only safe, secure, and high-quality honey, offering a diverse range of honeys to customers from Kagoshima in the south to Hokkaido in the north.

About Honey Hunter Takusaburo Ichikawa https://kaneichi.kyoto/honeyhunter/ ■ About New Honey

https://miel-mie.com/c/honey/shinmitsu2026

About Raw Honey

https://miel-mie.com/c/honey/single-origin-honey/raw-honey

Related Links, SNS, HP

Kaneichi Shoten Co., Ltd. Official Website: https://kaneichi.kyoto/

Honey Specialty Store Miel Miel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mielmie__/

Honey Specialty Store Miel Miel X: https://x.com/mielmie_shop