Daisen Broccoli: Where to Eat, Prices & Hours (Tottori)

Mount Daisen, the noble peak that symbolizes Tottori. Grown in the fields spreading across its foothills is Daisen broccoli, a branded vegetable representative of western Japan. Cultivated mainly in the towns of Daisen, Kotoura, and Hokuei, it was introduced as a rotation crop in the Showa era and has since grown into a major production area. Tottori ranks among the nation's top prefectures for broccoli shipments, and its deep green, firm form is indispensable on the Tottori table.

Highlights

The foot of Mount Daisen is blessed with well-drained volcanic soil rich in organic matter, and the large gap between day and night temperatures grows broccoli with tightly packed florets. What is eaten is the flower head in its bud state and the stalk, and when boiled its vivid green shines, with even the stalk tender enough to eat. Simply boiling it in salted water fully reveals the natural sweetness and aroma of the vegetable itself.

Enjoying the Seasons

Broccoli's natural season is winter, and Daisen broccoli likewise appears in spring and from autumn into winter. Those grown as the cold deepens are said to firm up their florets under the low temperatures and take on a fuller taste. It works in a wide range of dishes such as salads, stir-fries, and soups, and in season you can find fresh heads at farm stands.

Access and Basic Information

Farm stands and roadside stations in the towns of Daisen, Kotoura, and Hokuei line up fresh broccoli straight from the source. Many direct-sales spots can be visited along the way while sightseeing at Mount Daisen, and tasting it alongside the majestic mountain scenery is one of the pleasures of the trip. It is an area where getting around by car is convenient.

Practical Travel Notes

Fresh heads line the farm stands and roadside stations mainly in spring and from autumn into winter, with cold-season ones especially firm. At farm stands near the source it can be had at a reasonable price, and kept cool it makes a souvenir from your travels. The Mount Daisen area has many sights such as Daisenji Temple and the Daisen Makiba Milk no Sato, and stopping at a farm stand along a drive is a convenient way to go. As a perishable, taking care with freshness and cooling when carrying it far is reassuring.

A Quick Tip

For fresh heads, briefly boiling them firm in salted water is the trick to drawing out the sweetness. Avoiding overcooking and leaving a crisp texture lets you fully enjoy the taste of the production area.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Best season: the official Tottori Prefecture website gives the early-summer harvest as mid-May to late June and the autumn-winter harvest as late September to late March. The GI production process gives shipping periods of early April to early July for the early-summer harvest and late September to late April for the autumn-winter harvest.
• Growing area: "Daisen Broccoli" was registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) on 27 December 2018 under registration number 70, and the production area covers Yonago City, Saihaku County (Daisen Town, Hiezu Village, Nanbu Town and Hoki Town) and Hino County (Nichinan Town, Hino Town and Kofu Town).
• Public facility where you can buy it: Roadside Station Daisen Megumi no Sato (951-6 Nawa, Daisen-cho, Saihaku-gun / 0859-54-6030). Open 9:00-18:00, and until 17:00 from December to February. Closed only on 31 December and New Year's Day. It is right by the Nawa Interchange on the San'in Expressway, and about 15 minutes from the Yonago Interchange.
• Points to note: there are also categories distinguished by growing method, such as "Kirakira Midori," which uses about 70% less chemical fertiliser than ordinary cultivation.

* Opening hours and prices at individual shops vary from shop to shop.

(Sources: official Tottori Prefecture website, "Broccoli"; the Geographical Indication product information website, "Daisen Broccoli"; official website of Roadside Station Daisen Megumi no Sato; official website of JA Tottori Seibu)

Information Sources

This article is compiled from tourist information for Tottori Prefecture together with information published by the individual shops. Prices, menus and seasons are subject to change, so please check the official information of each shop for details.

Sightseeing Checklist

• Budget guide: Reasonably priced, from a few hundred yen a head
• Where to eat it: Farm shops and roadside stations at the foot of Mount Daisen, and restaurants around the prefecture
• Recommended time of day: During the day. Buy at the farm shops while it is fresh
• Avoiding the crowds: The morning is the best time at the farm shops. Go early for the popular items
• Enjoy it together with: Processed goods made from the bounty of Daisen, Mount Daisen, Daisen Makiba Milk no Sato and Masumizu Kogen