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Love for plums, and particular about the manufacturing process,
The world's first "crispy pickled plums"
Successfully developed and commercialized the product.
Towards the next generation,
We are also undertaking new initiatives.
Akagi Foods was founded in 1893 (Meiji 26). It is said to be the oldest pickle shop in Gunma Prefecture.
We are constantly striving to improve our products, starting with our hugely successful "Karikari Ume" (crispy pickled plums), which was created in 1971.
Focusing on plums from Gunma Prefecture, which boasts the second-largest production volume in Japan, we are committed to using fresh green plums and employing manufacturing methods that maintain the highest quality, aiming to create delicious products that will bring smiles to people's faces.

▶Learn more about Akagi Foods◀
The original "crispy pickled plum" made from plums grown in Gunma Prefecture.
Akagi Foods, located in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, has been manufacturing food products since 1893 (Meiji 26).
When the company was founded, it started as "Odawaraya," manufacturing and selling pickles, tsukudani (simmered food), and boiled beans.
Currently, Akagi Foods' flagship product is "Karikari Ume" (crispy pickled plums).
In 1971, Akagi Foods became the first company in the world to successfully develop and industrially commercialize crunchy pickled plums.
Since then, we have continued to make crunchy pickled plums for over half a century, and today we offer a variety of plum products, from sweet and sour types to traditional salty flavors.
The dedication to plums that led to the creation of crunchy pickled plums
The quality of the plums used as raw material is what determines how delicious crunchy pickled plums are.
At Akagi Foods, we prioritize the youthfulness and freshness of the plums in order to maintain a crisp texture.
The official website states that the company president himself visits the production areas to inspect the plums, checking their condition by looking at them, touching them, and even tasting them before collecting them.
As the harvested plums continue to ripen, it's crucial to transport them quickly to the factory and process them at the appropriate time.
Drawing on years of experience, we carefully assess the condition of the plums to create our products.
Making use of plums from Gunma Prefecture
Akagi Foods places particular importance on locally sourced plums from Gunma Prefecture.
Gunma Prefecture boasts the second-largest production volume of plums in Japan, after Wakayama Prefecture, and is the top producer in eastern Japan.
It is particularly known as a production area for green plums, and plums suitable for making pickled plums are harvested there.
Akagi Foods sources domestic plums, primarily those from Gunma Prefecture, and manufactures plum products, including crunchy pickled plums.
We process plums grown in Gunma Prefecture and deliver their appeal to the whole country.
This is where Akagi Foods' unique connection with the local community lies.
The world of plums, starting with crunchy pickled plums
In addition to crunchy pickled plums, we offer a variety of other products, including the sweet and sour "Gunma Sweet Pickled Plums" and "Akagi Sweet Pickled Plums," the traditional salty "Akagi Crunchy Pickled Plums" and "Ume Gotoku," and "Chopped Crunchy Pickled Plums" that are easy to use in cooking.
Furthermore, we also manufacture products that make the most of the plum itself, such as shiso-flavored candied plums, pickled plums, and plum syrup.
One of its features is that it allows you to enjoy plums in a variety of everyday situations, such as as an accompaniment to rice, in cooking, or in drinks.
Protecting and utilizing Gunma's plums
What's interesting about Akagi Foods' efforts is their awareness of protecting the plum-producing region.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' case study showcases how developing products using plums from Gunma Prefecture is contributing to the revitalization and maintenance of plum-producing regions.
Furthermore, we also utilize damaged plums and other agricultural products in our products, demonstrating our commitment to minimizing waste.
This is not just about "processing and selling plums,"Plum growers and processing manufacturers work together to support the production area.This also leads to the idea that...
The techniques of a pickle maker that have been passed down since the Meiji era.
Tracing Akagi Foods' history reveals that it's not just a company that sells pickled plums.
Since our founding, we have continued to make pickles, accumulating manufacturing techniques for various types of pickles, including fukujinzuke, miso pickles, narazuke, and asazuke.
Based on their long experience in pickling, Akagi Foods created a new food product called "Karikari Ume" (crispy pickled plums).
Not only do we preserve traditional techniques, but we also use them to create new food products.
The 1971 crunchy pickled plums are a product that can be considered symbolic of that era.
What I want to highlight about MJM isYou can choose products made with plums from Gunma Prefecture or other domestically produced plums.。
While not all of our products use domestically grown plums, and some use plums from China, we primarily use plums from Gunma Prefecture and other domestic sources in our product development.
