Nara

Nara is an inland prefecture facing no sea, characterized by a complex combination of basins and mountains. The Nara Basin (Yamato Plain) has a basin topography surrounded by mountains, resulting in a climate with high temperatures in summer, severe cold in winter, and a large temperature difference between day and night. The annual average temperature is about 14℃ around Nara City, and the annual precipitation is about 1,400 mm, but the Yoshino area is close to the typhoon path on the Kii Peninsula and has places with high precipitation. The Yamato Plain is covered with alluvial soil from the Yamato River and has a history of agriculture. The southern Yoshino and Totsukawa areas are rugged mountainous regions where a mixed management of Persimmon, tea, and timber is conducted utilizing the elevation difference. There are 25 items (20 items of Yamato traditional vegetables + 5 items of select vegetables) of traditional vegetables certified by Nara as "Yamato yasai (traditional vegetables)", and Yamato mana (leafy vegetable), Yamato kikuna (chrysanthemum greens), Himo togarashi (sweet pepper), and Yamato marunasu (Eggplant) are cultivated in various parts of the prefecture. Tea, Yamato cha (green tea), is cultivated in the eastern mountainous area, and the environment with frequent fog and large temperature differences contributes to the quality of the tea leaves.

Source: MAFF Crop Statistics (Reiwa 5 / 2023), JMA historical weather data

A characteristic of Nara agriculture is the "systematic protection of traditional varieties." The "Yamato yasai" certification system certifies 25 items (20 items of Yamato traditional vegetables + 5 items of select vegetables) of traditional vegetables as a prefecture, and centrally manages production areas, producers, and sales channels. It is a systematic initiative that goes beyond mere brand naming to include the preservation of seeds and seedlings and the succession of cultivation techniques. Although there are geographical constraints as a landlocked prefecture, the temperature difference in the inland basin, the fog in the mountainous areas, and the water of Yoshino bring unique qualities to Persimmon, tea, and traditional vegetables. Regarding Persimmon, the Nishiyoshino and Gojo areas function as major production areas responsible for national distribution, and the start of shipping of the early-maturing variety "Tone Wase" is an important sign for the autumn fruit and vegetable market. More than the numerical value of the national ranking, the system design that systematizes and continues to protect many items of traditional agricultural products is a unique strength of Nara agriculture.