A Line Forms in the Middle of a Rice Field.

To all media representatives

Photo: Kyoto Mai Corn Brand Visual

Every summer, people flock to the rice fields of Kyoto.

Kumiyama Town, Kyoto Prefecture. Every summer, a peculiar sight appears in this town of vast rice paddies.

A long queue lines the country road. At its end is not a tourist spot or an event venue, but a farmer's direct sales stand.

The target is "Kyoto Mai Corn," a white corn produced by Rock Farm Kyoto. This fruit corn, with a sugar content of up to 22.4 degrees that can be eaten raw, combined with a dedication to freshness (harvested from 5 AM and shipped the same day), attracts people seeking an "experience that can only be had here."

**5,000 Ears Sold Out in 10 Minutes**

Kyoto Mai Corn has exceeded a cumulative sales volume of 500,000 ears.

In the past, 5,000 ears sold out within just 10 minutes of sales starting on their in-house EC site. Reservation phone lines were constantly busy, and queues formed at the direct sales stand before opening.

They haven't run extensive advertising. Social media, word-of-mouth, and the passion of repeat customers are what create this phenomenon.

**Approximately 10,000 Visitors to the Farm Each Season**

Rock Farm Kyoto's farm attracts about 15,000 visitors in total during the season, including corn and strawberry picking. It's about a 30-minute drive from central Kyoto. The location is not particularly convenient for a tourist farm.

Yet, people still come. Moreover, many customers who visit once return the following year. It's not just "it was delicious," but the voices saying "that experience again" that create the queue for the next season.

Photo: Corn field in Kumiyama Town, Kyoto Prefecture

**Why is this sweetness born?**

Kyoto Mai Corn grows in the soil of Kumiyama Town, also known as a production area for Kujo leeks.

Rock Farm Kyoto has established a three-crop rotation cycle: Kujo leeks → Kyoto Mai Corn → Asarobi (black soybeans). The corn absorbs the nitrogen left by the leeks in the soil, and the soybeans enrich the soil again. This cyclical farming method produces a natural sweetness that cannot be achieved through chemical sugar content adjustment.

Harvesting is at 5 AM. The sugar content of corn drops immediately after harvesting. Therefore, they harvest in the early morning when sugar content is highest and deliver it within the same day. One ear costs 540 yen (tax included). They guarantee taste and freshness equivalent to this price with their morning harvests.

**What is Kyoto Mai Corn**

Photo: Kyoto Mai Corn Package

Kyoto Mai Corn is a white fruit corn produced by Rock Farm Kyoto in Kumiyama Town, Kyoto Prefecture. It is characterized by its thin skin and sweetness that allows it to be eaten raw, reaching a maximum sugar content of 22.4 degrees.

* Cumulative sales: 500,000 ears * Sugar content: Max 22.4 degrees * Harvested at 5 AM * 540 yen per ear (tax included) * Sales Channels: In-house EC site / Farm direct sales stand / Corn picking experience / Gifts * 2026 Season: Harvest period is late June to early August.

**Representative's Comment**

I feel that agriculture is one of the industries most affected by the many negative topics in today's society, such as rising prices and increasing material costs. That is precisely why we want to change society for the better through this primary industry.

Kyoto Mai Corn is not just a product that is "sweet and delicious"; it is an initiative where we have meticulously designed its value, including the brand name, packaging, and sales methods, and insisted on delivering it ourselves. While the cumulative sales of 500,000 ears are an accumulation, for us, it is merely a milestone.

In 2026, we will challenge ourselves to produce on a scale larger than ever before, aiming to deliver this initiative to more people. We want to continue providing value that makes people feel "it was worth coming" and "I want to come again," not only through our products but also through experiences and venues.

Ultimately, we aim to become an entity that can revitalize Japanese agriculture, local communities, and society as a whole.

Shoichi Murata, Representative Director, Rock Farm Kyoto Co., Ltd.

**From Now On**

"With the start of the harvest season in 2026, many visitors are expected to flock to the rice fields of Kumiyama Town, Kyoto Prefecture. The sight of people gathering in a corner of the rice field is likely to be seen again this summer."

The queue that started in the rice fields of Kyoto continues to grow.

Photo: Rock Farm Kyoto Staff