Fresh Wasabi Rhizome (Hon-wasabi)

Shizuoka / Azumino sawa-wasabi (本わさび) · Shizuoka (Izu) / Nagano (Azumino), Japan
Fresh & Specialty Vegetable Chilled Growing export

Genuine water-grown wasabi rhizome — the real article behind the >90% of 'wasabi' worldwide that is actually dyed horseradish. Shizuoka and Nagano supply >90% of Japan's sawa-wasabi. Exported by express airfreight to high-end sushi restaurants in the US and Europe, where it can reach ~USD 396/kg. Stays fresh only weeks, demanding calibrated cold-chain.

The supplierShizuoka (Izu) and Nagano (Azumino) water-grown 'sawa-wasabi' farms; small specialist artisanal growers with high-value niche export to fine-dining channels in US/EU/Asia. Limited but premium B2B export via specialist exporters; English handled for HORECA buyers.
Why it sells abroadAuthentic spring-grown hon-wasabi vs ubiquitous horseradish imitation; clean aromatic heat for sushi/fine dining.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsPhytosanitary certificate (confirmed-required): fresh rhizome is a fresh plant product subject to Japan's phytosanitary certificate enforcement (since Aug 2023, per USDA FAS / Japan plant-quarantine rules) and destination plant-quarantine clearance. GLOBALG.A.P/JGAP at farm level: not publicly verified for the named Shizuoka/Nagano sawa-wasabi farms. HACCP for processed wasabi: plausible but not publicly verified per maker. Real-wasabi (Wasabia japonica) authenticity is a marketing claim, not a certification.
Pack formatsIndividual fresh rhizomes (~50-150g) in moist/chilled pack; small-count chilled boxes; airfreight for restaurants; processed grated/paste in tubes/jars. Keep existing.
Shelf lifeFresh rhizome ~2-4 weeks at 0-5°C kept moist; processed paste/powder much longer. Keep existing.
StorageFresh: 0-5°C, kept moist (wrapped damp), chilled cold-chain.
Minimum orderTypical: small chilled airfreight orders (a few kg) for HORECA; processed by case.
Lead timeTypical: 1-2 weeks incl. phytosanitary inspection; limited supply.
CapacityYear-round spring-water cultivation but low volume; supply-constrained premium item.
Container loadTypical: airfreight chilled for fresh rhizome; ambient/chilled LCL for processed.
PricingEstimate: very high per-kg (real hon-wasabi is rare and labor-intensive). Luxury HORECA pricing.
OEM / private labelOEM/private-label for processed wasabi (paste/powder) plausible/typical but not publicly verified for a specific named maker; fresh rhizome = farm grade only. Keep existing with caution.
Wholesale & MOQSmall-lot express airfreight via specialist importers (The Wasabi Company UK, Issé Japan, Tradewind Seafood); MOQ flexible, restaurant-direct
Key exporters & distributorsspecialist wasabi farms/exporters (Shizuoka), The Wasabi Company (UK importer), Issé Japan
Export regulationPhytosanitary certificate; no special bilateral barrier but logistics-constrained (perishability). Cold-chain & insulation critical. Sold to EU since 2013 by specialist importers.
Market demandFine-dining/sushi HORECA demand US/GB/FR/DE/SG/HK; growing 'real wasabi' authenticity trend.
How to source itShizuoka (Izu)/Nagano (Azumino) wasabi farms and specialist exporters; JETRO; FOODEX and culinary trade fairs.
Verified sourceshttps://www.fas.usda.gov/data/japan-updated-guide-new-phytosanitary-certificate-requirements-japan; https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/travel-information/special-guidance-for-each-country/plant-quarantine/
MakerShizuoka & Nagano water-grown wasabi farms
OriginShizuoka (Izu) / Nagano (Azumino), Japan
CategoryFresh & Specialty / Vegetable
Available inUS, GB, FR +3 more
HandlingChilled
Price tierPremium
ChannelFoodservice
Export readinessGrowing export
HS code0709.99
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.