Tottori

Tottori has an elongated topography facing the Sea of Japan with the Chugoku region mountains at its back. It is characterized by heavy winter snowfall due to the Sea of Japan climate and relatively cool summers. The annual average temperature is about 15°C, and the annual precipitation is about 1,900 mm. In the area around Tottori City, winter snowfall can exceed 1 m. The dune area spreading along the San'in Coast (around the Tottori Sand Dunes) has well-drained sandy soil suitable for cultivating root vegetables and rakkyo (Chinese onion). It is a major production area for Tottori Sand Dune rakkyo. The Sendai, Tenjin, and Hino river systems flow into the Sea of Japan. In the alluvial plains of these basins, Nijisseiki (Japanese pear), nagaimo (Chinese yam), and Green Onion / Negi are cultivated. The Sea of Japan off Tottori City and Iwami is a productive fishing ground where the Tsushima warm current and cold currents intersect. Matsuba gani (snow crab) fishing takes place in winter (November to March). Hino District in the southern part of the prefecture is a mountainous area of the high-elevation Chugoku region mountains. The foothills of Mount Daisen are also an area for tourist farms and dairy farming. Although Tottori is a small prefecture, it has established a top-ranking national production status in 3 items: Japanese Pear, rakkyo, and snow crab.

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

Tottori has the smallest population among the 47 prefectures, but in agriculture and fisheries, it has a production area structure of selection and concentration focused on specific items. 3 items are the pillars of the production areas: Nijisseiki (Japanese pear) (GI-registered as Togo Nijisseiki Nashi), rakkyo (GI-registered as Tottori Sakyu Rakkyo), and Matsuba gani (snow crab) (brand managed). A characteristic is that systems for quality control and brand protection are established for all of them. The paradox that the dune area, an environment seemingly unsuitable for agriculture, provides optimal growing conditions for a specific item like rakkyo is a good example of the contingency of production area formation and environmental adaptation. Production area protection using the GI (Geographical Indication) system is also advancing, with the history of the production area and variety characteristics being institutionally protected. Its presence in the national market exceeds its small area and population, and the high management efficiency of maintaining multiple top brands with limited resources is a structural strength of Tottori's agriculture and fisheries.