Onion

玉ねぎ

An indispensable vegetable in Japanese home cooking. Hokkaido accounts for about 65% of national production, with autumn-harvested onions stored and distributed year-round. Spring new onions are moist and tender, ideal for eating raw or in salads

Taste & Texture

A distinctive flavor combining pungency and sweetness. Cooking intensifies the sweetness. New onions have milder heat and are suitable for eating raw

Season

MONTHLY AVAILABILITY

Apr - May

PEAK

※ Season is based on domestic field-grown availability

How to Choose

  • Choose onions with dry, papery outer skins.

  • The top should be firm and the onion should feel heavy.

  • For new onions, look for thin, white skins.

How to Store

  • Store at room temperature in a dry, well-ventilated place.

  • Hanging in a mesh bag extends shelf life.

  • New onions should be refrigerated.

Shelf life 1-2 months at room temperature (cured onions), new onions 1-2 weeks refrigerated

Nutrition Facts

Wholesale Market Data

MARKET INSIGHTS

CHEAPEST May ¥96/kg
BUSIEST Apr 55,549t
Volume (t)
In season
Price (yen/kg)

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

Retail Price

Price Trend

Cheapest Jul ¥339/1kg
Most Expensive Mar ¥540/1kg

Annual Average

¥418/1kg

Source: Statistics Bureau Retail Price Survey (2026)

Production Ranking

98.4% Domestic
Hokkaido66.7%
Hyogo8.7%
Saga8.7%
Nagasaki2.7%
Aichi2.2%
Others11.2%
10%+
5%+
2%+
0.1%+
None

Map data: National Land Numerical Information (MLIT Japan)

#
Prefecture
Harvest (t)
Share
1
752,500
66.7%
2
97,800
8.7%
3
97,600
8.7%
4
29,900
2.7%
5
24,300
2.2%

Source: MAFF Crop Statistics / Agricultural Census (2023)

Top 5 Prefecture Harvest Trends (2018-2023)

Hokkaido
Hyogo
Saga
Nagasaki
Aichi

Consumption Ranking

National Average (annual spending per household)

¥4,368 /year
#
City
Annual Spending
1
Yokohama Kanagawa
¥5,202
2
Saitama Saitama
¥5,170
3
Gifu Gifu
¥5,159
4
Kyoto Kyoto
¥5,037
5
Naha Okinawa
¥5,004

Source: Statistics Bureau Family Income and Expenditure Survey (2024, two-or-more-person households, prefectural capital cities)