Japan boasts a wide variety of world-class foods. Among them, the spotlight is on "domestically produced olive oil." Did you know that Kagoshima Prefecture is currently gaining attention as a region producing high-quality olive oil?
This time, "CRAFT WINE SHOP" has stocked the rare Kagoshima-produced olive oil "Kagoshima Blend."
We introduce this high-quality domestic blended olive oil that pairs perfectly with Japanese wine.
About Kagoshima-produced Olives
"Kagoshima Blend" is an olive oil blended from olives grown in Hioki City and olive oil from Spain.
When thinking of domestic olive oil, many might imagine Shodoshima in Kagawa Prefecture, but in fact, Hioki City in Kagoshima Prefecture is known as the southernmost major olive cultivation area on the mainland and is a renowned production region. The fresh, non-bitter Kagoshima-produced olive oil, with its refreshing acidity and pleasant bitterness, has been highly praised and gained attention even in Spain, the home of olive oil.
Hioki City is now known as one of Japan’s leading olive-producing areas, but its olive cultivation history is only about a decade long.
Let us share the secret of why Hioki City has come to be recognized for olive cultivation.
Olive Project Aimed at Revitalizing Hioki City
The olive project in Hioki City started in 2012 when a major company’s semiconductor subsidiary closed. The closure of a factory that had contributed to the region’s development plunged Hioki City into a crisis. To promote regional revitalization and industrial development through public-private cooperation, the "olive sixth industrialization" was proposed as a new industry, and the olive project began.
Hioki City’s olive cultivation area is surrounded by sea and mountains, with a mild climate and rich soil suitable for olive cultivation. However, when the government ordered olive cultivation in Kagoshima Prefecture in the early 1900s, despite the mild climate, typhoons and heavy rain caused the abandonment of olive cultivation, and it was not practiced in this area afterward.
Amid this, Hioki City began full-scale olive cultivation in 2013. After carefully selecting varieties suited to the local climate and environment, it was discovered that Spanish-origin varieties could withstand the rainy conditions of Hioki City. Initially, cultivation was narrowed down to four varieties (now five), and the city increased the number of trees planted by distributing them to citizens aiming to harvest olives.
(By 2021, more than 7,600 trees had been planted!)
Furthermore, it was found that olives grown in Hioki City’s even rainier environment than Spain produce a mild oil with less spiciness, bitterness, and astringency.
The Birth of Kagoshima-produced Olive Oil
Once high-quality olives were cultivated and harvested, the next step was processing. In October 2014, "Kagoshima Olive Co., Ltd." was established in Hioki City with investments from banks and local companies.
In fiscal 2019, about 4 tons of fruit for oil were harvested, producing 105 kg of oil, marking the company’s presence as a domestic olive oil production area in Japan. Kagoshima-produced olive oil is made from olives harvested at the "Hioki Olive Farm" and has been highly rated in international olive oil competitions.
"Kagoshima Olive" aims to revitalize the region through olive cultivation, processing, and sales, and continues to work tirelessly both domestically and internationally to produce excellent olive oil, develop processed products using olives, build the brand, and expand sales channels for regional revitalization.
Commitment to Olive Oil
At "Kagoshima Olive," olives are pressed within 24 hours of harvest, and the oil is stored in temperature-controlled warehouses until shipment to protect it from oxidation and deterioration.
They also deliberately harvest olives early to preserve the original aroma and character of the olives, creating a fresh olive oil with a unique flavor not found elsewhere.
The olives are carefully handpicked one by one, always using the best quality fruit.
From harvesting, selection, pressing, bottling, to packaging and shipping, all processes are consistently carried out at the main factory to maintain quality, demonstrating their thorough dedication. Incidentally, in 2025, "Kagoshima Olive" will participate for the first time in EXPOLIVA2025, the world’s largest olive industry exhibition. Crossing the sea, Kagoshima-produced olive oil is growing into a presence attracting attention even in Spain, the home of olive oil.
Recommended Olive Oil: "Kagoshima Blend"
The proud olive industry of Hioki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, has delivered a special olive oil. That is "Kagoshima Blend (Kagoshima Olive)."
As the name "blend" suggests, it is a luxurious special bottle blending Kagoshima-produced and Spanish olive oils, maintaining freshness through a strict cold chain. Kagoshima olives are characterized by a fresh green banana-like aroma unique to early harvesting, while the Spanish olives, directly imported from contracted farms, feature a floral aroma that appears when fully ripened.
"Kagoshima Blend" surprises with its mildness, freshness, and fresh & fruity taste the moment it touches the palate. The aftertaste leaves a pleasant bitterness, offering a refined flavor that is not just mild. It pairs excellently with the delicate flavors of Japanese wine, especially the pairing of "Kagoshima Blend" lightly sprinkled with rock salt and a subtly sweet white wine is blissful.
By the way, when cold, the characteristics of Kagoshima-produced olive oil stand out, and when heated, the aromatic scent of the Spanish olive emerges, allowing you to enjoy flavor changes depending on the dish. It also pairs well with salty seasonings like soy sauce and rock salt, making it a great match for sashimi, chicken sashimi, tofu dishes, grilled fish, and other Japanese cuisine. Since olive oil is expected to have antioxidant effects, even adding a little to your daily miso soup seems beneficial. 
"CRAFT WINE SHOP" has stocked "Kagoshima Blend" in two sizes: 90g and 180g. Please try this high-quality olive oil packed with the charm of Hioki City and Spain.
・Kagoshima Olive / Kagoshima Blend (Olive Oil) 90g
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・Kagoshima Olive / Kagoshima Blend Large (Olive Oil) 180g
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Summary
Kagoshima Olive carries out various activities through Kagoshima-produced olive oil. At Yuda Kizzania, children can experience early olive picking, factory tours, and making herb salt using olive leaves, among other unique activities aimed at regional revitalization.
Not only delicious but also a key to regional growth, Kagoshima-produced olives.
Please pay attention not only to the olive oil but also to its story.
