Hinohikari – Kii Farm
Naturally Grown, Sun-Dried Rice from Wakayama — Gentle Sweetness and Honest Flavor
Hinohikari from Kii Farm (紀伊農園) is a carefully crafted rice produced in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, using methods that prioritize natural growth, minimal intervention, and traditional finishing. Throughout the entire growing season, this rice is cultivated without the use of agricultural chemicals, relying solely on organic fertilizers, and is finished using sun drying (hazekake) rather than mechanical heat.
The result is rice that expresses the natural character of Hinohikari—balanced sweetness, gentle stickiness, and a warm, rustic aroma that reflects both the land and the farmer’s hands.
The Producer: Kii Farm (紀伊農園)
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Location: Kitano, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture
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Farming style: No pesticides during cultivation, 100% organic fertilizers
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Post-harvest method: Traditional sun drying (hazekake)/(Tenpiboshi)
Kii Farm practices small-scale, transparent agriculture, focusing on soil health, sunlight, and time rather than speed or yield.
Why Kii Farm Hinohikari Is Special
🌱 Chemical-Free Cultivation
During the entire growing period:
This approach allows the rice to grow slowly and naturally, resulting in clean flavor and gentle sweetness without harshness.
☀️ Sun Drying (Hazekake)/(Tenpiboshi)
Instead of high-temperature mechanical drying, harvested rice is:
This traditional method:
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Preserves aroma and umami
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Maintains grain integrity
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Produces a warm, rounded mouthfeel
Sun drying is labor-intensive and rare, but it plays a major role in the rice’s final character.
About the Variety: Hinohikari
Hinohikari is a well-loved variety in western Japan, known for:
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Slightly smaller grains with good thickness
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Balanced sweetness and stickiness
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Soft texture without heaviness
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Excellent flavor retention when cooled
It is reliable, comforting, and well suited to daily meals.
Taste & Texture Profile
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Gentle, natural sweetness
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Moderate stickiness with smooth cohesion
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Soft, comforting mouthfeel
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Subtle grain aroma enhanced by sun drying
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Calm, honest finish
This is rice that feels warm and human, not engineered.
Excellent Even When Cool
Thanks to its balanced starch structure and natural drying:
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Texture remains pleasant after cooling
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Sweetness does not fade quickly
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Ideal for bento and onigiri
Ideal Uses
Best enjoyed without heavy seasoning to appreciate its character.
Our Commitment to Trust
We highlight Hinohikari from Kii Farm because it represents:
This is rice grown with patience and conviction—not optimized for efficiency, but for flavor and integrity.
If you are looking for naturally grown, sun-dried Japanese rice with gentle sweetness and real character, Kii Farm’s Hinohikari is an excellent choice.
Organic soil. Sunlight. Honest craftsmanship.
