A Dried Vegetable Company That Delivers the Taste of the Seasons
Since their founding in 1972, Kira Foods Co. has remained committed to using 100% domestically grown vegetables, driven by the desire to make fresh, delicious produce more accessible. They manufacture dried vegetables made from seasonal ingredients at their factory in Ōzu Town, Kumamoto.
In addition to operating their own farm for over a decade, they partner with contract farmers—mainly across Kyushu—to source fresh, seasonal vegetables. Their approach emphasizes “products where the faces of the growers are visible.”
They works closely with soil specialists to analyze soil conditions and plan fertilizers, all in the pursuit of growing safe, high-quality vegetables.
Beyond dried vegetables, they are pioneers in the dried food industry—developing new products such as meal bases and burdock root tea, and continually leading innovation.
Dried Vegetables That Preserve Texture and Flavor
Kira Foods Co. takes pride in creating dried vegetables that retain their natural texture and flavor when rehydrated.
Each vegetable is carefully selected and dried by hand, one by one, by skilled artisans. Boiling times are finely tuned, moisture levels are assessed by touch, and quality is verified through visual inspection at every stage.
While freeze-drying is becoming the mainstream method due to its quick rehydration, they continues to use the traditional hot-air drying method, which preserves the authentic taste and texture of vegetables more naturally. They are constantly refining and researching their techniques to make the most of Japan’s flavorful produce.
All their factories are certified under the global food safety standard ISO 22000, and they maintain a fully integrated system—from sourcing to processing and sales—ensuring safety and reliability at every step.
Their Mission
The simple act of enjoying seasonal foods is made possible by the dedication of farmers who tend to their crops through wind, rain, and every challenge nature brings.
Kira Foods Co.’s work is affected by the weather and involves time-consuming, hands-on processing. Even when procurement costs fluctuate, they strive to offer consumers consistent, stable pricing—a commitment that is far from easy.
While mass production might offer efficiency, it also increases the risk of food waste. That’s why Kira Foods values thoughtful, small-batch production, focusing on quality over quantity.
Because food is essential to life, they believe their products should tell the stories and reflect the effort of the people who grow them.
Traditional Japanese dried foods like kiriboshi daikon(Dried Shredded Daikon Radish) and dried shiitake mushrooms have long supported everyday cooking. They simplify meal prep, make use of non-standard vegetables, and enable long-term storage—playing an important role in reducing food waste even today.
Kira Foods Co. sees it as their mission to preserve this valuable part of Japanese food culture and pass it on to future generations.
