10 Best Tried and True Japanese Rice in 2022 (Rice Expert-Reviewed)
Rice is something we've all probably had at one point in our lives, and is featured in many recipes around the world. However, short-grain sticky rice is an essential part of the Japanese diet and culture, and is an indispensable food item. While most of the short-grain rice in the US is grown exclusively in California, mostly in the north, rice is grown in every prefecture in Japan, where varying climates offer different types of rice. However, with well-known brands like Koshihikari and Akitakomachi and so many other brands, seeing all of these rice brands lined up at the grocery store can be overwhelming - where do you even begin to choose? How should you choose between different textures and flavors, light or sweet, chewy or firm? And what is the deal with rinse-free rice? With each brand having different sweetness, texture, and flavor profiles, it can be difficult to choose the perfect rice for your needs.
To figure out what the best Japanese rice is, we gathered the 38 best-selling Japanese rice available on e-commerce sites popular in Japan, like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo Shopping, and tested them all.
We tested each product for the following:
- Deliciousness
- Fragrance
We then ranked the ten best Japanese rice in 2022 based on the results of our tests. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best Japanese rice for you. Keep reading to find out more!
Quick List - Top Japanese Rice
Echigo Yukiguni Jizake Renpo
Solid Flavor With a Refreshing Aftertaste, Great for Everyday Consumption
Zenno Pearl Rice
Elegant Flavor and Texture That Pairs Excellently With Other Dishes
Okaman
Good Balance of Sweetness and Fragrance, Pairs Especially Well With Traditional Japanese Dishes
Shinmei
Great Flavor and Texture, and Easy and Effortless to Cook!
Keiichiro currently also works at Mitsuhashi Rice Milling, where he's hopped from role to role, ranging from systems, planning and PR, and online sales. Today, wanting to have as many people eat delicious rice as much as possible, he also supervises and operates the earthenware pot-cooked rice specialty restaurant, GOHANYA'GOHAN. He also runs classes on various rice blends, how to cook rice, and compares rice brands at schools, companies, and other events.
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The Different Types of Japanese Rice
Jasmine rice, basmati rice, sticky rice -- we often hear these names of different types of rice, but isn't rice just rice? However, all these types of rice have unique and distinct features that make them special. With rice being a historical staple in Japanese cuisine, Japan boasts many different kinds of rice.
There are four types of rice sold in Japan: brown rice, haigamai rice (milled rice that has the bran removed but not the germ), white rice, and rinse-free rice, with the difference primarily being in how much the grains were polished, which means they all have different features.
- Brown rice: non-polished rice in which only the rice husk (a naturally occurring, protective layer over the rice) is removed; this type preserves the naturally occurring nutrients in the rice.
- Haigamai rice: polished rice that takes the brown rice and strips its bran layer, leaving around 80% of the germ; it's easier to eat than brown rice and is nutrient-dense.
- White rice: polished rice in which both the germ and bran have been completely removed; high in carbohydrates
- Rinse-free rice: polished rice in which all of the bran has been removed; eliminates the need to rinse the rice before cooking
In Japan, you can purchase rice with your preferred degree of polishing if you buy directly from rice specialty shops or directly from rice mills. Recently, these options can be found when buying rice online as well!
It can be fun to test out the different types and find your desired level of processing, like 30 percent, 50 percent, and 70 percent polishing!
Many New Rice Brands Have Been Emerging Since 2000
Koshihikari, which was first developed in 1956, is the most popular brand in Japan, accounting for roughly 1/3 of all rice grown in the country as of 2020 according to the Rice Stable Supply Support Organization.
However, there are about 300 brands of Japanese rice available on the market, with 10 to 20 new brands emerging annually since 2000, continuing to expand the diversity of Japanese rice. Note that this doesn't even account for the rice cultivated for making sake!
Brands like Nanatsuboshi and Yumepirika, which have become favorites in Japan, are great examples of this, released after 2000. Additionally, Seiten no Hekireki, becoming increasingly popular in recent years, was only first released in 2015!
One reason for the increased search for new rice types is global warming. The need to find rice types that can withstand increased temperatures caused by global warming is becoming an increasingly important issue.
Such developments in the rice industry have led to the wide variety of rice brands that exist today. Different regions produce rice types with distinct qualities. Finding your favorite type can take trial and error, but keep reading for some pointers as you begin your search!
How to Choose Japanese Rice
Here are four essential points to keep in mind when choosing Japanese rice.
Choose a Rice Based on Your Desired Texture
While some rice gets sweeter as you chew, others are lighter and more complementary to various meals. Further, some are elastic and chewy, while others have a firmer texture. Choosing a type of rice depends on how you'll eat it or what kind of cooking you want to pair it with!
Sweet and Chewy Rice is Recommended When it is a Main Dish
For those who like to eat rice as the main component of their meal, pairing it with accouterments like pickles or furikake, consider rice that is sticky and sweet. The stickier the rice, the chewier the texture, allowing you to enjoy the natural sweetness released with each bite.
Generally, varieties such as Koshihikari and Oborozuki are popular brands. The results of our tests for the sweetness and chewiness of each product are listed in the product tables, so be sure to check them out!
Japanese rice has historically been known to be sweet and chewy. This texture can be attributed to a low amylose content, with chewiness increasing as the amylose content decreases.
As such, for those who like a chewy texture in their rice, it is recommended to choose a rice with a low amylose content that falls somewhere in between sticky rice and uruchi rice (white rice).
Firm and Light Rices Are Best for Fried Rices and Curries
For fried rice, curries, and "donburi" (rice bowls), it's best to choose a firm and light rice. Rice with a solid bite maintains its flavor even when paired with fragrant seasonings and ingredients and yet has a lightness and sweetness that doesn't interfere with the meal's flavor.
While other types of rice are better known for their firmness, such as long-grain Jasmine rice, some Japanese rice brands such as Shinnosuke and Hinohikari are comparatively firm and solid while maintaining their light flavor.
We've listed the texture and lightness of each product, so be sure to take a look at those to choose rice that fits the kind of dish you are looking to pair it with!
Recently, rice types with large granules and firm textures have become more prevalent. It is always important to consider the rice's compatibility with your meal!
Choose Bag Size Based on Average Monthly Consumption
Japanese rice is typically sold in either 2, 5, or 10kg bags (4.41, 11.03, and 22.05 pounds). If you live alone or don't plan on eating rice frequently, choose the 4.41-pound bag. For reference, one cup of rice (the size of a single serving) is around 150 grams or 5.3 ounces.
The large 11.03-pound bag may be a good choice for a family of around four to six. If you want to avoid the hassle of carrying the heavy bag home, purchasing your rice online is also a convenient option made available recently.
Ideally, you should consume your rice as soon as possible, so finding a routine where you purchase a new bag once a month is a good benchmark if you're a frequent rice eater. The estimated expiration date for most Japanese rice is two weeks to one month in the spring and summer and one to two months in the fall and winter.
※Note that these recommendations are made based on the average consumption for typical Japanese consumers. According to the University of Hawaii, the average American consumes roughly 12kg of rice annually, so if you typically don't consume that much rice, it may be best to choose a smaller bag.
The date labeled on the bag of Japanese rice is the date that the rice was polished and not the expiration date. Please consider this as the rice gradually loses flavor once it's been polished.
Choose a Rinse-Free Rice for a Hassle-Free, Quick Cook
Rinse-free rice, as the name suggests, comes pre-washed, so there's no need for you to spend time washing it. For typical white rice, you need to rinse the rice before cooking to remove remnants of rice bran from the surface of the grains.
It can still be a good idea to give it a quick rinse before cooking, though, since some bran or impurities can be left on the rice.
Because of how rinse-free rice is processed, some of the umami flavors can be stripped away with the bran. We didn't find a strong negative correlation between rinse-free rice and taste, but it's worth keeping in mind that some rinse-free rice may not taste as good as other types of rice.
There are various ways that rinse-free rice is processed, such as using tapioca or the bran grind method, which uses bran to grind rice. In any case, avoiding damaging grains and preventing moisture absorption during the process is crucial to keeping rice tasting fresh.
Look for the Organic JAS Logo
If you want to ensure that your rice is grown free of pesticides or want something organic, check the packaging for the Organic JAS logo. This logo means the Japanese government officially certified the product as an organic agricultural product.
However, compared to regular white rice, these organic products tend to be more expensive. Alternating between or mixing regular rice and organic rice can be an effective way to save money.
A product cannot obtain the Organic JAS logo unless both the producers and sellers undergo strict management and examination. Therefore, products with this mark of approval can be thought of as the result of much hard work and effort on the side of producers and sellers.
10 Best Japanese Rice Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Echigo Yukiguni Jizake Renpo Niigata Uonoma Koshihikari | | Solid Flavor With a Refreshing Aftertaste, Great for Everyday Consumption | |
2 | Zenno Pearl Rice Niigata Shinnosuke | | Elegant Flavor and Texture That Pairs Excellently With Other Dishes | |
3 | Okaman Okayama Hinohikari | | Good Balance of Sweetness and Fragrance, Pairs Especially Well With Traditional Japanese Dishes | |
4 | Shinmei Akita Akitakomachi Rinse-Free Rice | | Great Flavor and Texture, and Easy and Effortless to Cook! | |
5 | Hananoki Yamagata Akitakomachi Rinse-Free Rice | | Subtle Yet Delicious Flavor, With a Sticky and Chewy Texture. | |
6 | Toyo Rice Tanita Shokudo no Kinmai Rice | | Rich Flavor that Grows with Each Bite, and Chewy Texture | |
7 | Grantomato Fukushima Love at First Sight｜2-bag pack (5kg) | | Soft and Fluffy Texture, With Great Sweetness | |
8 | Shinmei Hokkaido Nanatsuboshi ｜2-bag pack (5.35kg) | | Great Flavor, and Balanced Chewy Texture | |
9 | Kawasaki Beikoku Hokkaido Fukkurinko | | Sweetness Increases With Every Bite, And Has Distinct Chewy Texture. | |
10 | Nozawa Agricultural Production Cooperative Nagano Koshihikari Rice｜4-bag pack (5kg) | | Pleasant Aroma that Stirs Appetite, and Great for Making Rice Bowls! |
Echigo Yukiguni Jizake RenpoNiigata Uonoma Koshihikari
Solid Flavor With a Refreshing Aftertaste, Great for Everyday Consumption
Echigo Yukiguni Jizake Renpo's Uonoma Niigata Koshihikari rice has a brilliant luster, good sweetness and just the right amount of stickiness. It is said to have a good balance of water and starch contents.
It has a solid flavor, that is not too overbearing and has a clean aftertaste. Its chewy texture gave it sufficient bite, making it very satisfying to eat!
The surface of the grain itself is very glossy, and you can almost make out the outline of each grain in the bowl. It also has a recognizable fragrance that is sure to stir the appetite. This rice is fit to be eaten on its own but also pairs well with other dishes.
It is definitely good for a simple breakfast with pickles and is also suited for dishes with stronger flavors like Japanese curry. This product is highly recommended for people that really enjoy rice as a staple in their diet!
Elegant Flavor and Texture That Pairs Excellently With Other Dishes
Shinnosuke all-agricultural pearl rice from the Niigata prefecture is a rice characteristic for its large grains. It is said to have a pleasant sweetness and a depth of flavor.
The slightly sweet scent of the rice will surely whet your appetite. The sweetness is evident when you taste it, and you can really savor the flavor of the essence of rice. The flavor is not overpowering, making it easy to pair with a variety of dishes.
It has a sticky texture, with each individual grain having a firm bite to it.
Overall, it is a well-balanced rice, and is perfect if you are looking for simple, basic rice and are not too picky about the particulars! The elegant flavor and texture will let you savor the natural deliciousness of rice.
Good Balance of Sweetness and Fragrance, Pairs Especially Well With Traditional Japanese Dishes
Okayama's Hinohikari rice's major selling points are the warm and comforting aroma of it when freshly cooked, and that it is well-suited for pairing with a wide variety of dishes.
There is a distinguished sweetness and a rich flavor to this rice. It is moderately chewy and has a good bite to it, and the sweetness exudes out of the grains with every bite.
Some of our testers even compared the flavor to that of a freshly roasted sweet potato, emphasizing its addictive rich, starchy sweetness.
The surface of the grain is shiny and glossy, making it appealing not only to the tastebuds, but to the eyes, too. We recommend pairing this with traditional Japanese dishes. The light flavors in Japanese simmered dishes, for example, may further accentuate and complement the sweetness of this rice.
Great Flavor and Texture, and Easy and Effortless to Cook!
Shinmei's Akitakomachi rinse-free rice (from Akita prefecture) has a notably transparent look and luster. The grains are said to have a good stickiness providing a decent bite.
As soon you take a bite of this rice, the fluffiness and sweetness of the rice spreads throughout the mouth. However, it isn't too overbearing! Not too sweet, not too light, and with a refreshing aftertaste, it is the quintessential rice.
The grains are thick and the texture is elastic and satisfying. The rice is fluffy and sticky in just the right ways, and the aroma is mildly sweet.
One tester noted that the fragrance was comparable to that of rice cooked in a traditional clay pot. With the perfect aroma, fragrance, and texture, this highly-evaluated rinse-free rice is perfect for someone who wants delicious rice without having to worry about the hassle of washing rice!
Subtle Yet Delicious Flavor, With a Sticky and Chewy Texture.
Hananoki's Rinse-Free Akitakomachi (Yamagata prefecture) is a carefully manufactured rice, processed in quality controlled rooms to ensure a clean rinse-free rice.
This rice has a subtle but deeply satisfying flavor and its distinct stickiness makes it a good for people who like a chewy, mochi-like textured rice.
And yet, it isn't too sticky or wet. There is still a good bite to the rice, making it satisfying to chew. The fragrance when freshly cooked was sweet and rich, being highly evaluated and said to stir the appetite!
Because it is rinse-free it can be cooked in a shorter amount of time than some other rices so perhaps this is the perfect rice to start your day with at breakfast!
Rich Flavor that Grows with Each Bite, and Chewy Texture
Toyo Rice's Tanita Shokudo no Kinmai Rice is used in restaurants operated by Tanita, a health goods manufacturer. It claims to have about 14% less sugar and 17% less calories than regular white rice.
This rice has a rich sweetness that increases in depth and intensity as it is chewed. The aftertaste was refreshing and unctuous, and some testers commented on its overall fruity flavor.
When smelt, this rice has a subtle yet pleasant aroma that has faint notes of sweetness that awaken your appetite.
The texture is chewy, providing just the right amount of bit. It has a well-balanced flavor and texture, and can be used as a side dish or in any cooking method.
GrantomatoFukushima Love at First Sight ｜ 2-bag pack (5kg)
Soft and Fluffy Texture, With Great Sweetness
Grantomato's Fukushima Hitomebore ('love at first sight') rice has a rich flavor due to being grown in the cold climate of Fukushima prefecture.
The taste is refreshing, and the more it is chewed the more the sweetness is released. The aftertaste is pleasant and doesn't linger, leaving only a moderate sweetness in the mouth.
The texture, while having good chewiness, is at the same time still soft and fluffy. It is recommended for those who prefer a soft and fluffy textured rice over a firm and crunchy one.
The aroma of it when freshly cooked was a subtly sweet and comforting scent. Makes you want to make onigiri with it!
ShinmeiHokkaido Nanatsuboshi ｜ 2-bag pack (5.35kg)
Great Flavor, and Balanced Chewy Texture
Shinmei's Hokkaido Nanatsuboshi has a faint sweet flavor and a pleasant sticky texture. It is said to taste just as good cold as it was fresh.
It has a refreshing sweetness and a light flavor that is not overpowering. It has a fairly standard flavor with nothing particularly distinguishing about it, and it gives off a comforting aroma as take a bite.
The texture was moderately firm with a pleasant chewiness. Some testers even said this has "the ideal texture they seek in rice," and were satisfied with the product.
The aroma of it when freshly cooked has a sweetness that stimulates the appetite. This rice tastes great whether eaten on its own or paired with other cooking.
Sweetness Increases With Every Bite, And Has Distinct Chewy Texture.
The Fukurinko rice from Hokkaido (Kawasaki Rice Beikoku) is a polished rice that is vacuum sealed! It is said to have a mild sweetness and a firm bite.
Our reviewers commented that when opening up the rice cooker, they were met with a rich, almost buttery scent. The distinct fragrance particular to this rice was highly evaluated by our testers. This rice has a strong umami flavor and gets sweeter with every bite. Each grain maintained its shape well, making each bite satisfying.
The texture is very sticky, firm, chewy, and overall very satisfying as if each grain of rice dances on the tip of your tongue.
The fragrance, flavor, and texture are all very satisfying in this rice! This is a rice you could enjoy every day. It is recommended for people that want to savor the aroma and flavor of high-quality rice.
Nozawa Agricultural Production CooperativeNagano Koshihikari Rice ｜ 4-bag pack (5kg)
Pleasant Aroma that Stirs Appetite, and Great for Making Rice Bowls!
Nagano Koshihikari rice is produced by Nozawa Agricultural Production Cooperative, a rice organization in Kita-Shinshu, Nagano Prefecture. The rice is grown in an ideal climate for rice and its grains are firm and have a glossy look to them.
When you open the rice cooker when using this rice, you will instantly sense the aroma of delicious rice which will surely whet your appetite. The subtle taste has a good balance of sweetness and lightness, making it great for pairing with other dishes.
The texture was rated highly for the firmness of the grains. Some testers said they "felt the rice was very moist" when chewing the rice, making it ideal for those who like moist rice. This product is a must-have for those who often make donburi (rice bowls) such as gyudon (beef bowl) or oyakodon (chicken and egg bowl).
How We Tested the Rice
We gathered the 38 best-selling Japanese rice available on e-commerce sites popular in Japan, like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo Shopping, and tested them all. Our standard for what made rice delicious was that it tasted great on its own and when paired with other food. We chose not to limit our evaluations to specific rice types or degrees of processing (ex: only brown rice) and looked at Japanese rice as a whole.
We tested each product for the following:
- Deliciousness
- Fragrance
Test ① Deliciousness
First, we evaluated the deliciousness. We gathered five Japanese testers, all of whom had passed a five-basic-flavor identification test, and had them test all 38 products. During the assessment, emphasis was placed on flavor, stickiness, chewiness, sweetness, and lightness.
Test ② Fragrance
Good rice should not only taste exquisite but should also have a pleasant aroma. We evaluated the aroma of each rice when freshly cooked.
How to Cook Tasty Japanese Rice
Good rice is only as good as how you wash and cook it. We spoke to a rice expert to teach us the best way to make good rice.
How to Clean Rice
The first step is correctly measuring the amount of rice you want to cook. Fill a measuring cup with rice, ensuring the cup's brim is flat. One serving of rice is 1 cup, around 5.3 ounces (150 grams).
Transfer the measured rice to the rice cooker's inner pot or a separate bowl, and cover the rice completely with water. Stir several times by hand until the water is slightly cloudy.
How to Cook Rice
When adding water to the rice cooker's inner pot, look at the water level directly across the water level scale, and try to get your eye level as close to the water level as possible. An additional step for softer textured rice is to leave the rice to soak in the water for around an hour before cooking so that the grains absorb water.
After the soak, just turn the switch on and let your rice cook! Once it is done, leave it to steam for a little bit to absorb the moisture between the rice grains. Then, slowly loosen the rice, and it's ready to eat!
Check out the link below for our buying guide on the best Japanese rice cookers, so you'll always have perfectly cooked rice.
How to Store Your Rice While Maintaining Its Deliciousness
Rice can be sensitive to humidity, high temperatures, and odor. Be sure to store your rice in a cool, dark place where it won't be in contact with water or heat. One recommended storage method is to transfer your rice to an empty large plastic bottle. You can keep this bottle in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator, as the temperature and humidity are stable there.
Rice is delicate and vulnerable to high temperatures and high humidity, so it's best to store your rice in the refrigerator and to use it up within one month after polishing.
Odors can also easily transmit to rice, so avoid storing it near anything with strong odors.
More Japanese Pantry Staples
Top 5 Japanese Rice
No. 1: Echigo Yukiguni Jizake Renpo｜Niigata Uonoma Koshihikari
No. 2: Zenno Pearl Rice｜Niigata Shinnosuke
No. 3: Okaman｜Okayama Hinohikari
No. 4: Shinmei｜Akita Akitakomachi Rinse-Free Rice
No. 5: Hananoki｜Yamagata Akitakomachi Rinse-Free Rice
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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