Special Condiment/Seasoning in Nagano prefecture, Japan

Hi everyone who want to go or is going to Japan,

At this time, I am going to introduce some Japanese spicy condiments "Shichimi/ichimi to-garashi", which are a special ground mixture of red pepper and aromatic spices or just or ground red pepper, to you. However, It is not the ordinary for all Japanese, for some Japanese and people who live in Nagano prefecture, Japan. By the way, do you know of Nagano? I guess that some of you know of Nagano, and most of you don't. So I will tell you of Nagano in another article. Let me explain about the special spicy condiments in Nagano in this article.

The special spicy condiments "Shichimi/Ichimi to-garashi" are produced by "Yawataya Isogoro" company that has headquarters in Nagano city, Nagano and have started business since 1736. It is one of historic company in Nagano. Then, they offer other kinds of spicy condiments, such as Japanese pepper and garam masala. In addition, You can make a unique and exclusive spicy condiment to visit the main shop of "Yawata Isogoro" in Nagano city and ask a staff there. 

Entrance of the main shop

1. Ichimi To-garashi, in Japanese "一味唐辛子"

• Made with just ground red pepper. It is very spicy, and you can feel great aroma of it. "Ichi" means one in Japanese, so the condiment is made with just red pepper. This is for a person who want feel just aroma of just red pepper and super spicy!!
  
  
  
   

  

  Refill for Ichimi To-garashi

2. Shichimi To-garashi, in Japanese "七味唐辛子"

• Made with ground mixture of red pepper and six aromatic spices: black sesame, dried citrus peel, Japanese pepper, Shiso leaf (Japanese herb), white ginger and hemp seed. "Shichi" means seven in Japanese, so the condiment is made with total seven spices. You can feel excellent and complex aroma of the spices. It is more mild than Ichimi To-garashi because of other non spicy spices.  
  
  
  

  

  Refill for Shichimi To-garashi

3. Yuzu Shichimi

• I didn't mention this condiment in the above sections. However, I would definitely like to tell you this, because this is my favorite one from the company in these days. It is made with ground mixture of red pepper, yuzu and six aromatic spices: black sesame, white sesame, dried citrus peel, Japanese pepper, Shiso leaf (Japanese herb), and ginger. The condiment is made with total eight  spices including Yuzu. You must think "what a fragrant aroma of yuzu flavor" first and feel complex aroma of others afterward. Level of spicy would be the same as "Shichimi To-garashi"'s one.
  
  

Refill for Yuzu Shichimi To-garashi

Three of the condiments are very compatible with many types of Japanese foods, such as Udon, Soba, Miso soup, beef-on-rice dish "Gyu-Don", Yakitori, Yakisoba and others. It absolutely bring out the flavor of the other, don't mask the flavor of dishes. You may know some condiments by the same name from other company, but I swear to my mother that the condiments from "Yawata Isogoro" company is completely different from others! Those are excellent in taste and aroma!! Actually, I used to buy and be satisfied with other Ichimi/Shitimi To-garashi from other company before I met ones from "Yawata Isogoro". However, I have never ever changed them to others since I savored them once. Moreover, I carry around with one of them when I go eating some Japanese foods at a restaurant. I love the condiments that much!!  

 

This is one of the ordinary for people in Nagano. I would like you to visit to Nagano prefecture and savor the taste of those condiments from "Yawata Isogoto". As a matter of fact, you can purchase those condiments at a supermarket in Nagano prefecture and don't need to go to the main shop all the way. Anyway, I want you to try them with any Japanese food once. You must find out that "this is the best Japanese spicy condiment in Japan!!".

Enjoy your trip in Japan! And see you in the next article of the blog!! 

"The ordinary for Japanese" must work to spice up your trip!