The Birthplace of Kaki no Tane – A Famous Rice Cracker from Niigata NEW
Hello! This is Staff K, who keeps posting these little stories again and again. This is already the 6th entry in the “Staff K’s Notes” series.
Today’s topic is “Kaki no Tane.” As many of you probably know, “Kaki no Tane” does not refer to the seeds of the persimmon fruit. It is actually a popular Japanese rice cracker snack. Many visitors to Niigata buy it as a souvenir, and runners who come to the Echigo Country Trail and visit the Chuetsu area should definitely try it as well. You can easily find it in supermarkets across Japan, making it a very familiar snack for many people.
Interestingly, Niigata Prefecture is home to 53 companies producing rice crackers, such as senbei and okaki. If you ask people which company makes Kaki no Tane, many will probably say Kameda Seika. However, Staff K, who loves local products, has a different answer. The Chuetsu region, where the Echigo Country Trail takes place, is home to many rice cracker manufacturers.
For example:
- Abe Koshi Seika – famous for “Kaki no Tane in oil”
- Iwatsuka Seika – known for using domestic ingredients
- Echigo Seika – also famous for kagami mochi and noodles
- Naniwaya Seika – widely believed to be the original creator of Kaki no Tane
In this article, I would like to talk about Kaki no Tane made by Naniwaya Seika, the company known as the birthplace of this snack. (Staff K has very strong opinions about Kaki no Tane, and it seems that Naniwaya’s version is the one that suits my taste best!)
The Original Kaki no Tane: Naniwaya Seika
Naniwaya Seika is a rice cracker manufacturer founded in 1923, and it is widely known as the company that invented Kaki no Tane. The snack’s distinctive crescent shape is said to have been created by accident when someone stepped on a metal mold used for making rice crackers. In other words, this famous Niigata snack was born from a lucky accident.
Today, Naniwaya Seika produces 26 different varieties of Kaki no Tane. Staff K has categorized them (based purely on personal opinion!) as follows:
| Category | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Original Kaki no Tane | Traditional crescent shape with a slightly spicy flavor |
| Extra Spicy Kaki no Tane | A stronger chili flavor for spice lovers |
| Large Kaki no Tane | Bigger pieces with a more satisfying crunch |
| Chocolate Kaki no Tane | Rice crackers coated with chocolate |
| Web-exclusive sets | Various assortments for tasting different flavors |
Staff K’s Two Recommendations
Among these varieties, there are two that Staff K especially recommends. Both are commonly available in supermarkets throughout the Chuetsu region. “Just give them a try—you won’t regret it!”
Original Kaki no Tane
Made with domestic glutinous rice. A classic flavor with a convenient six-pack of rice crackers only.
Extra Spicy Kaki no Tane
Thick-cut crackers with natural cracks and a bold chili flavor.
Also available in a six-pack of rice crackers only.
When you visit the Echigo Country Trail, please consider trying Kaki no Tane as a souvenir from the Chuetsu region. By the way, Naniwaya Seika, the company introduced here, is part of the Abe Koshi Seika Group, which is famous for its “Kaki no Tane in oil.”
Abe Koshi Seika is also one of the supporting companies of the Echigo Country Trail. The event is made possible thanks to the support of many local businesses.
We hope you will enjoy these local flavors along with the race. See you again in the next Staff K’s note! (^^)/
