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  4. 10 Best Tried and True Japanese Rice Storage Containers in 2023 (Pearl Metal, Nitori, and More)
  • 10 Best Tried and True Japanese Rice Storage Containers in 2023 (Pearl Metal, Nitori, and More) 1
  • 10 Best Tried and True Japanese Rice Storage Containers in 2023 (Pearl Metal, Nitori, and More) 2
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10 Best Tried and True Japanese Rice Storage Containers in 2023 (Pearl Metal, Nitori, and More)

Have you ever wondered what to do with your opened bag of rice? Have you been storing it in random jars or even worse, just wrapped a rubber band around the opened bag? To ensure our precious rice is free from insects, dust, and humidity, we need a container capable of protecting it. Also called rice stockers, Japanese rice storage containers are available in various designs, including slim products designed to fit inside a refrigerator. However, with so many brands and seemingly similar products, it can be difficult to choose the best rice storage container for you.

To figure out the best Japanese rice storage container, we gathered the 23 best-selling products on e-commerce sites popular in Japan like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping and tested them all.

We tested each product for the following:
  • Sealing Strength
  • Usability

Then, based on our tests, we ranked the 10 best Japanese rice storage containers in 2022. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best product for your needs. Keep on reading to find out more!
Last updated 06/15/2023
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Table of Contents

Why You Should Use a Rice Storage Container

Why You Should Use a Rice Storage Container

There are two merits to using a rice container to store your rice. 


First, it helps with keeping your rice fresh. Since air and sunlight can diminish the taste of rice, the sealing strength of your rice container can determine how delicious your rice stays. Storing your rice in a bag should be avoided since it is not tightly sealed. 


Second, it protects your rice from insects and mold. Storing it in the bag leaves your rice susceptible to humidity and could invite insects and mold. But if you use a rice container capable of keeping out humid air, you can keep your rice both insect- and mold-free.


So why choose a Japanese rice storage container? Many Japanese households eat rice several times a week, requiring both convenience as well as secure storage. This means that in addition to keeping your rice fresh, they also often feature thoughtful designs, like shapes that will seamlessly integrate with the rest of your pantry, as well as neatly fit in your refrigerator, as we mentioned earlier.

How to Choose a Rice Storage Container - Buying Guide

Here are four essential points to keep in mind when choosing a rice storage container to purchase. 

① Check the Tightness of Seal

Check the Tightness of Seal

If you'd like to preserve your rice for longer and have it taste more delicious, choose a container with a high sealing strength. We recommend containers equipped with either a gasket or those that snap shut upon closing


If the freshness of your rice is your number one priority, choose one that can fit in your refrigerator. Storing your rice in the refrigerators protects it against pests and humidity. If you can get one that stores around 4.4 pounds of rice, it should be able to fit right in the pocket of the fridge door.

② We Recommend Transparent Containers

We Recommend Transparent Containers

Rice containers come in plastic, wood, glass, or metal. We recommend a plastic one since it allows you to see what's inside and is easy to clean. Many have measurements written on the side, so you know how much rice you have left. 


That said, wooden rice containers protect well against insects and mold, and glass containers are stylish and have excellent sealing strength. Yet, since they are both heavier and less portable, you should decide on an accessible place to keep the container.  


If you're keeping your rice container out in the open, where it might be susceptible to sunlight, we recommend a metal container made of tin or enamel that can block direct sunlight. Some larger containers even come with wheels, making them portable and easier to store. 

③ Choose a Container Size that Accords With Your Rice Consumption

Choose a Container Size that Accords With Your Rice Consumption

Rice storage containers range in size from 4.4 to 66 pounds, so make sure to choose one that accords with your rice consumption rate. 


Rice usually doesn't have an expiration date written on its packages. Still, it's best to finish your rice within a month if you live in a humid environment and within two months if you live somewhere relatively dry.


It's also best to not purchase more rice than you can consume within that time frame, and make sure to buy a rice container that suits your needs. If you live alone, choose a container that holds 4.4  pounds. If you have a bigger family, then 11 pounds might be a better choice. Ultimately, this will vary on how much rice you consume, so keep that in mind too.

④ Automatic Rice Dispensers Are a Highly Convenient Feature

Automatic Rice Dispensers Are a Highly Convenient Feature

Some rice containers come with levers you can push to dole out a pre-measured cup's worth of rice. We recommend a container with this kind of function for those with large families or those who eat a ton of rice and don't want to spend the time measuring out cups of rice every time.


Moreover, a few of them come with refrigerating functions, which are perfect for those who'd like to preserve your rice for longer but can't or prefer not to put it in the refrigerator. 

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10 Best Japanese Rice Storage Containers

Here are the best Japanese Rice Storage Containers, ranked according to 10 Best Japanese Rice Storage Containers (as of 11-04-2022). The products are ranked independently by mybest.
Products
Image
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Key features
1

Watanabe Metal Industries

OBAKETSU Caster Rice Container RS10

Watanabe Metal Industries OBAKETSU Caster Rice Container RS10 1枚目

High-Performing Rice Container With Great Sealing Strength

2

Yamazaki

Under-Sink Sealed Rice Container Tower 3377

Yamazaki Under-Sink Sealed Rice Container Tower 3377 1枚目

Highly Functional Rice Container with a Stylish Design

3

ASVEL

Sealing Rice Container

ASVEL Sealing Rice Container 1枚目

Firm Gasket, and Easy to Use Measuring Cup

4

Pearl Metal

2.4kg Handy Rice Container HB-3898

Pearl Metal 2.4kg Handy Rice Container HB-3898 1枚目

Easy to Handle, and Fits Snugly in Fridge

5

Pearl Metal

Rice Container for 5kg Bags HB-2167

Pearl Metal Rice Container for 5kg Bags HB-2167 1枚目

Portable, Tight Sealing, and Can Store Bagged Rice

6

Inomata

Rice Container Revolution 1250

Inomata Rice Container Revolution 1250 1枚目

Easily Refillable, Good Pest Prevention

7

Iwasaki Industry

Sliding Window Rice Container B-1900CB

Iwasaki Industry Sliding Window Rice Container B-1900CB 1枚目

Run-of-the-Mill Rice Container With Average Scores Across the Board

8

Iseto

Rice Container for Bags

Iseto Rice Container for Bags 1枚目

High Sealing Strength But Inconvenient to Use

9

Sanko Plastic

Rice Case

Sanko Plastic Rice Case 1枚目

Easy-One-Touch Opening Container

10

IBUKI CRAFT

Rice Keeper

IBUKI CRAFT Rice Keeper 1枚目

Doesn't Offer an Airtight Seal, but is Stylish and Portable

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No.1

Watanabe Metal IndustriesOBAKETSU Caster Rice Container RS10

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Reference price
$40.29

High-Performing Rice Container With Great Sealing Strength

Watanabe Metal Industries' OBAKETSU rice container doesn't have a non-metallic gasket but instead has a strong, sturdy seal. Its main body is lightweight yet large enough to store up to 10 kg of rice.

The removable lid makes it effortless to refill and dispense rice. Also, this product has dual-walled sealing, shutting out both humidity and insects.

The design is lovely and blocks direct sunlight. It has a handle and wheels attached to the bottom, making it very portable. It is an overall high-performing product with a stylish design that you'll love to show off!

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No.2

YamazakiUnder-Sink Sealed Rice Container Tower 3377

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Reference price
$21.82

Highly Functional Rice Container with a Stylish Design

Yamazaki's Under-Sink Sealed Rice Container Tower has a stylish and minimalistic design that doesn't even look like a rice container. However, not only did the design earn high praise, but the functionality and ease of use are ultimately what earned it such a high overall score! 


The flip-top lid for the container is very large, making it easy to scoop out and refill with rice. Compared to other rice storage containers with flip-top lids, this product protects better against pests. 


Additionally, the bottom of the container is shaped to match the measuring cup so that older rice collects there, making it easier to scoop out. This product excels in both functionality and design!

No.3

ASVELSealing Rice Container

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Reference price
$6.95

Firm Gasket, and Easy to Use Measuring Cup

ASVEL's Sealing Rice Container can be opened using just one hand, and the slanted design of the interior helps older rice come to the front of the container. The measuring cup has clearly visible measurements and an ideal shape for scooping out rice. 


The lid locks in place when opened, making refilling the container with rice stress-free. The sealing strength received an average score. The simple design with a non-metallic gasket makes for an overall high-functioning, easy-to-use rice container.

No.4

Pearl Metal2.4kg Handy Rice Container HB-3898

Easy to Handle, and Fits Snugly in Fridge

Pearl Metal's Handy Rice Container has a perfect size for storing in the refrigerator and is easy to hold with a handle attached to the lid. 


Although it comes with a sturdy non-metallic gasket and tight, its sealing strength was below our expectations. Also, the attached measuring cup is rather shallow. Also the containers outlet has a slight ridge making pouring the rice out slightly challenging.

No.5

Pearl MetalRice Container for 5kg Bags HB-2167

Portable, Tight Sealing, and Can Store Bagged Rice

Pearl Metal's Rice Container lets you store your rice while keeping it in the original bag. This product is highly durable and is also equipped with a strong, secure seal


This container has grooves for your fingers to grip on to for easy handling. The lid can be a bit challenging to open, but once you get the hang of it, you shouldn't have any trouble. This product is best for those who want to store their rice without having to pour it out from the bag.

No.6

InomataRice Container Revolution 1250

Easily Refillable, Good Pest Prevention

Inomata’s Rice Container Revolution 1250 Science comes with a useful miniature case that can be used to store the remains of older rice when you decide to fill the container up again with a new bag.


The container can be opened using just one hand, and the lid can be detached if needed. Although it lacks a gasket, the lid seals fine. The measuring cup is clearly labeled, and overall the product is easy to use.

No.7

Iwasaki IndustrySliding Window Rice Container B-1900CB

Run-of-the-Mill Rice Container With Average Scores Across the Board

Iwasaki's Sliding Window Rice Container received an average score in all categories. The lid can be popped open with just one hand and the opening is wide enough to easily refill rice. 


The bottom of the container is slanted, allowing for older rice to collect at the front for easy scooping. We couldn't find anything particularly special or unique about it which is why it fell to 7th place.

No.8

IsetoRice Container for Bags

High Sealing Strength But Inconvenient to Use

Iseto’s Rice Container for Bags allows you to store rice without removing it from the original bag. It received high scores in the sealing strength test, but since the lid can be completely unhinged, we found it rather non-user-friendly. 


Also, it's not very durable as we noticed that the body would bend a bit when filling it with rice. There is a handle, but it is just enough to hook your fingers on, so it wasn't easy to carry around either.

No.9

Sanko PlasticRice Case

Easy-One-Touch Opening Container

Sanko Plastic's Rice Case has an easy-one-touch opening lid. You can quickly open it single-handedly and easily refill your rice. 


It has a hook to secure the lid to the body which can help protect from insects but there is no gasket, meaning it only has average sealing strength. The measuring cup is square-shaped and easy to use, but the lettering is in white and difficult to read. Overall, this container wasn’t too impressive. 

No.10

IBUKI CRAFTRice Keeper

Doesn't Offer an Airtight Seal, but is Stylish and Portable

IBUKI CRAFT's Rice Keeper is a slim and stylish rice container made of paulownia wood that would fit right in a Western-style kitchen. Although its sealing strength is on the weaker side, the lid closes securely without gaps, which protects rice from pests.


The lid itself can be completely removed for easy cleaning. It has a handle on the front and two wheels on the bottom, so it is also highly portable. We’d definitely recommend this one if you are looking for a stylish wooden rice container.

How We Tested the Containers

How We Tested the Containers

We gathered the 23 best-selling products on e-commerce sites popular in Japan like Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo! Shopping and tested them all.

We tested each product for the following:

  • Sealing Strength
  • Usability

Test ① Sealing Strength

Test ① Sealing Strength

First, we tested each container for its sealing strength.


We placed a paper sheet that changed color based on the humidity of its environment inside each container and shut them all tightly. We then put the container inside a bathroom set to 80% humidity and left it there for 30 minutes.

【Result highlight】Removable Lids Have More Sealing Strength

【Result highlight】Removable Lids Have More Sealing Strength

We initially thought that whether or not the container had a gasket would be the deciding factor on how well they kept humidity out. However, it turned out that the type and shape of the lid caused a more significant difference in sealing performance.


Many flip-top lids for containers had a gasket on the lid but not on the body of the container itself, which leaves a gap for humidity to enter


Removable lids that come off entirely and cover the whole top of the container have fewer gaps and tend to close just as tightly if not better, even without a gasket. So, if you're planning on purchasing a rice container based on sealing strength, we recommend a product with a simple design and minimal gaps. 



Test ② Usability

Test ② Usability

Next, we tested each container for how easy it was to use.

We used the rice containers to test how easy it was to refill and scoop out rice, the lid's ability to open and close smoothly, how tightly the lid fit, portability, and any other unique product characteristics, and gave each product a comprehensive score based on these factors.

Ultimately, Simple Products Shined

Ultimately, Simple Products Shined

Unsurprisingly, the ease of use was determined primarily by how easy it was to refill and scoop out rice. Containers with simple designs ranked the highest. 


We actually found that products with unique features, such as those designed for measuring one portion of rice at a time or the capacity to dispense older rice before the new ones were more complicated to use and not really worth the additional functionality.


We also found out that containers that come with a measuring cup were extra convenient, especially if they have colored measurements, rather than those with transparent measurements. 

Top 5 Japanese Rice Storage Containers

No. 1: Watanabe Metal Industries | OBAKETSU Caster Rice Container RS10

No. 2: Yamazaki | Under-Sink Sealed Rice Container Tower 3377

No. 3: ASVEL | Sealing Rice Container

No. 4: Pearl Metal | 2.4kg Handy Rice Container HB-3898

No. 5: Pearl Metal | Rice Container for 5kg Bags HB-2167

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When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.

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