MUJI Launches "Hiroshima-Grown Ini no Tanada Hadeboshi Koshihikari" Limited to 5 Stores
Ryohin Keikaku (MUJI) will launch a new sun-dried rice product harvested from restored terraced rice fields in Akiota Town, Hiroshima, starting April 6 at 5 limited stores, supporting local conservation efforts.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 22:10
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Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo / President and Representative Director Satoru Shimizu), which operates MUJI, will begin selling "Hiroshima-grown Ini no Tanada Hadeboshi Koshihikari" exclusively at 5 MUJI stores starting Monday, April 6.
Aiming to realize "A pleasant life and society," Ryohin Keikaku shares issues and values with local communities and promotes various activities to revitalize regions. Through operating stores open to the community, we aim to make our stores a place that connects people to people, people to nature, and people to society.
The Ini no Tanada (terraced rice fields) is a beautiful area that retains the good old original landscape of Japan. However, its scenery is gradually being lost due to an increase in abandoned fields caused by a declining birthrate, aging population, and depopulation. To address this issue, the Hiroshima Business Division (*1), together with the "Inipichu-kai" (*2), a local group engaged in terraced field conservation activities, began an initiative in 2019 to restore the scenery of the terraced fields. Now, for the first time, we are releasing the rice harvested through this activity.
## Initiatives Utilizing Abandoned Fields
Akiota Town in Yamagata District, located in the northern part of Hiroshima Prefecture where the Ini no Tanada is situated, has seen its population rapidly decrease due to the effects of the declining birthrate and aging population, and is said to have a high probability of being certified as a municipality at risk of disappearance. Despite being beautiful enough to be selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields," the increase in abandoned fields has become a major challenge for the Ini no Tanada in such an area.
Driven by the desire to help restore the abandoned fields and bring back the landscape of the terraced fields, the Hiroshima Business Division, alongside the local "Inipichu-kai" who have protected the fields for many years, has held participatory events such as rice planting and harvesting to increase the related population in the Ini no Tanada and strive to restore abandoned fields. To continue our activities in Ini in the future, we aim to connect this to the sustainable conservation of the Ini no Tanada landscape through business by restoring abandoned fields, increasing the rice yield, and increasing revenue through rice sales.
## Rice Thoroughly "Hadeboshi" (Sun-Dried) by the Sun's Rays
Through the traditional sun-drying method called "Hadeboshi," which dries using the sun and wind, the rice is thoroughly dried by the blessings of nature, bringing out its sweetness and umami. Compared to machine drying, it has a gentler taste, allowing you to experience the original flavor of the rice.
When eating, by soaking it thoroughly before cooking, moisture permeates to the center of the rice, and heat is transmitted evenly inside, allowing you to cook plump, fluffy rice.
Aiming to realize "A pleasant life and society," Ryohin Keikaku shares issues and values with local communities and promotes various activities to revitalize regions. Through operating stores open to the community, we aim to make our stores a place that connects people to people, people to nature, and people to society.
The Ini no Tanada (terraced rice fields) is a beautiful area that retains the good old original landscape of Japan. However, its scenery is gradually being lost due to an increase in abandoned fields caused by a declining birthrate, aging population, and depopulation. To address this issue, the Hiroshima Business Division (*1), together with the "Inipichu-kai" (*2), a local group engaged in terraced field conservation activities, began an initiative in 2019 to restore the scenery of the terraced fields. Now, for the first time, we are releasing the rice harvested through this activity.
## Initiatives Utilizing Abandoned Fields
Akiota Town in Yamagata District, located in the northern part of Hiroshima Prefecture where the Ini no Tanada is situated, has seen its population rapidly decrease due to the effects of the declining birthrate and aging population, and is said to have a high probability of being certified as a municipality at risk of disappearance. Despite being beautiful enough to be selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Terraced Rice Fields," the increase in abandoned fields has become a major challenge for the Ini no Tanada in such an area.
Driven by the desire to help restore the abandoned fields and bring back the landscape of the terraced fields, the Hiroshima Business Division, alongside the local "Inipichu-kai" who have protected the fields for many years, has held participatory events such as rice planting and harvesting to increase the related population in the Ini no Tanada and strive to restore abandoned fields. To continue our activities in Ini in the future, we aim to connect this to the sustainable conservation of the Ini no Tanada landscape through business by restoring abandoned fields, increasing the rice yield, and increasing revenue through rice sales.
## Rice Thoroughly "Hadeboshi" (Sun-Dried) by the Sun's Rays
Through the traditional sun-drying method called "Hadeboshi," which dries using the sun and wind, the rice is thoroughly dried by the blessings of nature, bringing out its sweetness and umami. Compared to machine drying, it has a gentler taste, allowing you to experience the original flavor of the rice.
When eating, by soaking it thoroughly before cooking, moisture permeates to the center of the rice, and heat is transmitted evenly inside, allowing you to cook plump, fluffy rice.