Fully Ripened Tomatoes Begin Shipping

The harvest and shipping of fully ripened, deep red tomatoes has begun at Katano Greenhouse Horticulture in Isehara City. The tomatoes are produced using the “fully ripened picking method,” where they are harvested only after reaching full maturity. The representative states, “These tomatoes have a good balance of sweetness and acidity. They are thick-fleshed, juicy, and have no off-flavors. Because they ripen slowly, they develop a full, rich taste.”

Approximately 2,000 tomato plants are cultivated in a greenhouse spanning about 1,650 square meters, with an annual shipment of around 20 tons. Seedlings planted in early November last year have grown to over 2 meters in height. The large tomatoes, growing from positions close to the ground, are being picked.

Shipping will continue until around June. The tomatoes are sold at locations such as the JA Shonan direct sales store “Afrina” Isehara branch and the Hibita branch within the city. They are also registered as a return gift for the city’s “Furusato Nozei” (hometown tax) donation program.

Katano Greenhouse Horticulture

Katano Greenhouse Horticulture refers to the modern, large-scale greenhouse farming industry in Katano City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, which specializes in producing high-quality vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers. This agricultural practice developed significantly in the post-war Showa period (mid-20th century), as local farmers innovated with greenhouse technology to achieve stable, year-round production. Today, it is a leading regional agricultural sector, known for its advanced techniques and contribution to the local economy.

Isehara City

Isehara City is a municipality in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, historically known as part of the ancient Sagami Province. It is most famous for being the location of **Mt. Oyama (Oyamasan)**, a sacred mountain and site of the Oyama Afuri Shrine, which has been a major center of mountain worship for over 2,000 years, attracting pilgrims since the Edo period. Today, the city blends this deep spiritual heritage with modern residential development.

JA Shonan direct sales store “Afrina” Isehara branch

The JA Shonan direct sales store “Afrina” Isehara branch is a retail outlet operated by the Shonan agricultural cooperative, part of Japan’s nationwide JA network. These stores specialize in selling fresh, locally sourced produce and products directly from area farmers to consumers, supporting the regional agricultural economy. The “Afrina” brand stores represent a modern retail approach within the long-standing JA system, which has been central to Japanese farming and rural communities since the post-war period.

Hibita branch

Based on the name “Hibita branch,” it is not a widely recognized historical or cultural landmark. It most commonly refers to a local branch office or store of a company named Hibita, which would have a modern, commercial history rather than a significant cultural one. Without more specific context, it is not possible to provide a historical summary.

Furusato Nozei

“Furusato Nozei” (ふるさと納税) is not a physical place but a Japanese tax donation program that allows residents to redirect a portion of their local taxes to a municipality of their choice, often their hometown or a region they wish to support. Introduced in 2008, the system aims to reduce the financial disparity between urban and rural areas by encouraging support for regional development. In return, donors typically receive local specialty goods as a token of gratitude from the recipient municipality.