KOUNOTORI(Pesticide-free)fromHYOGO-兵庫こうのとり（農薬不使用）2025crop

‘KOUNOTORI’ from HYOGO

The ‘Stork-Nurturing Farming Method’ is an environmentally conscious form of agriculture practised in the Tajima region of Hyogo Prefecture, based on the principle of coexisting with wildlife. By minimising the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers, and implementing practices such as ‘winter flooding’—keeping the rice paddies flooded even in winter—the method creates an environment where a diverse range of creatures, including frogs and loaches, can thrive. By treating the rice paddies not merely as places of production but as functioning parts of the ecosystem, this approach supports an environment in which the stork, which sits at the apex of the food chain, can live.

‘Stork-Nurtured Rice’ is characterised by its soft texture and strong stickiness. Another major appeal is that its flavour remains virtually unchanged even 24 hours after cooking. When using a domestic rice cooker, we recommend cooking it with slightly more water than the marked level.