Green Beans

さやいんげん

Chiba Prefecture is the main producer; Kagoshima and Hokkaido also contribute via greenhouse and summer field cultivation. Popular in sesame dressing, tempura, and as a Western-style side dish. Introduced to Japan in the Edo period, also known as sandomame (three-season beans)

Taste & Texture

Light, clean flavor with a satisfying crisp snap. Boiling in salted water brings out vibrant green color and natural sweetness

Season

MONTHLY AVAILABILITY

Jul - Aug

PEAK

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

※ Season is based on domestic field-grown availability

How to Choose

  • Look for vivid green, glossy pods that snap crisply when bent.

  • Pods without blemishes and with small beans inside will be more tender.

How to Store

  • Wrap in a damp paper towel, place in a plastic bag, and refrigerate.

  • Blanching and freezing is a convenient way to preserve them.

Shelf life 3-5 days refrigerated; 1 month frozen (blanched)
See shelf life ranking →

Nutrition Facts

per 100g

ENERGY CONTENT

23

KCAL

1.8g

Protein

0.1g

Fat

5.1g

Carbs

2.4g

Fiber

8mg

Vitamin C

260mg

Potassium

0.7mg

Iron

48mg

Calcium

590μg

Beta-carotene

50μg

Folate

Source: Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (8th ed.) 2020

Wholesale Market Data

2023

MARKET INSIGHTS

CHEAPEST Nov ¥750/kg
BUSIEST Nov 647t
Volume (t)
In season
Price (yen/kg)

Source: MAFF Wholesale Market Survey for Fresh Produce (2023)

Retail Price

2026

Price Trend

Cheapest Jun ¥2,840/1kg
Most Expensive Sep ¥3,895/1kg

Annual Average

¥3,342/1kg

Source: Statistics Bureau Retail Price Survey (2026)

Production Ranking

94.4% Domestic
Chiba19.6%
Hokkaido11.4%
Fukushima10.0%
Kagoshima8.0%
Okinawa6.5%
Others44.4%
10%+
5%+
2%+
0.1%+
None

Map data: National Land Numerical Information (MLIT Japan)
#
Prefecture
Harvest (t)
Share
1
Chiba
4,990
19.6%
2
Hokkaido
2,900
11.4%
3
Fukushima
2,530
10.0%
4
Kagoshima
2,040
8.0%
5
Okinawa
1,660
6.5%

Source: MAFF Crop Statistics / Agricultural Census (2023)

Top 5 Prefecture Harvest Trends (2018-2023)

Chiba
Hokkaido
Fukushima
Kagoshima
Okinawa
Explore more produce from Chiba

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