Natto consumption is among the highest in the country! Introducing the best natto chosen by locals [Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture]

Natto is a classic accompaniment to rice . Because it's delicious and nutritionally balanced, many households probably keep it on hand.

Fukushima City in Fukushima Prefecture is famous for its high consumption of natto (fermented soybeans). Supermarkets always stock a wide variety of natto, giving customers plenty of choices

Having grown up in a region with a strong love for natto,some delicious natto made by local manufacturers,. Natto fans and lovers of local foods should definitely read to the end.

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Fukushima City's natto consumption is among the highest in the country

Fukushima City in Fukushima Prefecture and natto (fermented soybeans) have an inseparable relationship

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau's "Household Expenditure Survey," Fukushima City had the highest annual natto consumption per household in Japan from 2019 to 2022 .

Although it dropped to 9th place in 2023, in 2024 it achieved a record high averagespending per household of 7,830 yen, reclaiming the top spot nationwide.

Thus, Fukushima City in Fukushima Prefecture is a "natto-loving region" where people eat a lot of natto

People from other prefectures who visit local supermarkets are often surprised by the sheer quantity of natto (fermented soybeans) on display

The refrigerated shelves are wide and filled from top to bottom with rows and rows of natto. There is a wide variety of products available, from large beans to small beans and crushed natto. From famous brands to local long-established manufacturers, you can choose natto to suit your mood that day

Thus, for Fukushima City in Fukushima Prefecture, natto is an indispensable food companion on the dinner table

Fukushima City also conducts unique regional promotional activities, promoting itself as "the city that loves natto the most in Japan."

In the past, we've held quiz campaigns related to natto (fermented soybeans) and created a " Natto Gourmet Map " compiling information on restaurants that serve natto dishes

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Compare and taste 7 different natto products from Fukushima Prefecture manufacturers!

At your local supermarket, a wide variety of natto is displayed on display, taking up a large amount of sales floor space. However, with so many varieties on display, some people may find it difficult to choose

So, as someone from Fukushima City who grew up eating natto, I compared seven natto products from manufacturers in the prefecture and summarized the recommended points

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Obama natto "Nattochan"

Obama Natto is a natto shop in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture that produces unique natto using traditional methods

Nattochan comes in two packs. Even among small-grain natto, the grains are slightly larger and plump. The skin is soft, and you can taste the flavor of the beans when you chew them. The accompanying sauce has a soft flavor that makes use of the umami of the dashi stock rather than sweetness. It has a smooth consistency and is easy to eat, making it a product that both adults and children will find delicious

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Obama Natto "Edamame Natto"

This is a two-pack of large natto. It does not come with sauce or mustard

Its greatest feature is the size of the grains. It uses green soybeans from Iwashiro, Nihonmatsu City, which are about the size of the author's pinky fingernail. The moment you open the pack, you'll gasp at how big they are. Each large grain is soft, and the flavor of the beans spreads gently as you chew. It's natto that you'll want to savor as you chew it. If you like large grain natto, be sure to give it a try

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Obama Natto "Green Bean Salt Natto"

This is a rare type of natto that is eaten with salt. Each package contains two packs

The salt that comes with the natto is Echizen kelp salt. Served with salt, it has a refreshing taste and really brings out the flavor of the beans! The kelp also plays a great supporting role, really enhancing the umami flavor. This natto is made with green soybeans, and the grains are large. The soft grains and thin skin are smooth and don't interfere with the smooth consistency. This unique and highly versatile natto can be served over rice, as a side dish, or as a snack

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Minori Natto "Second helping"

Minori Natto "Okawari" is manufactured by Midoriya Co., Ltd. in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture. Each package contains two packs

This small-grain natto is a familiar dish served in local elementary and junior high school lunches. The small grains are soft, but each grain has its own distinct texture and presence. The beans have little bitterness, and the sweet sauce has a gentle flavor. The texture is smooth and slippery. It's natto that will have you asking for more, as it will make you want more rice

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Minori Natto "Honoka"

This small-grain natto gained attention after winning the Grand Prize and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award at the 28th National Natto Appraisal held in 2024. Each package contains two packs

Honoka's most distinctive feature is its "surprising softness." It has a smooth texture that melts in your mouth. The sauce that comes with it is rich in dashi flavor and brings out the full flavor of the beans. It has no strong bean smell or strong flavor, so even those who don't like natto will find it easy to eat. This is natto that can be recommended to everyone, from small children to the elderly

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Ito Foods "Kanayama Natto"

This small-grain natto is manufactured by Ito Foods Ltd. in Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture. It comes with a mustard sauce and comes in a package of three

Its distinctive feature is its clear taste with little peculiar taste. Natto made with high-quality underground water has a soft skin, a thick consistency, and a mild mouthfeel. The rich, flavorful sauce with a strong dashi stock brings out the flavor of the beans. It is a comforting, nostalgic natto

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Nitta Shoten "Aizu Takada Natto"

This small-grain natto is produced by Nitta Shoten Co., Ltd., a company that has been making natto since the Taisho era in Aizumisato Town, Onuma District, Fukushima Prefecture. Each package contains three packs

The distinctive feature of natto, which is made by hand using the skills and expertise of our artisans, is its grainy texture. Each grain is soft, yet retains a firm texture, making it easy to chew. It is precisely because you chew it that you can fully experience the flavor of the beans. It also has a strong stickiness, which somehow evokes the simple yet powerful climate of the Aizu region

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Fukushima, a region that loves natto!

This time, we started by introducing Fukushima's love for natto, and then went on to introduce recommended natto from manufacturers in the prefecture

Natto is an indispensable part of the Fukushima diet. Reflecting this, supermarkets and food stores throughout Fukushima City and Fukushima Prefecture stock a wide variety of natto

Of course, there are many natto products from manufacturers outside the prefecture, but if you're going to eat natto in Fukushima, you should definitely try comparing it with natto from local manufacturers as well

You'll be able to enjoy the "rich flavors" that each manufacturer creates by carrying on tradition and using ingenuity

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