Chiba Peanuts — Japan's Peanut Capital

Chiba Prefecture produces 80% of Japan's domestic peanuts, a dominance that began in the Meiji era when sandy coastal soils proved ideal for peanut cultivation. The peanuts here are treated as premium produce — varieties are named and prized like wine grapes. The 'Chiba Handachi' varietal, with its large kernels and sweet, buttery flavor, is the most sought-after and commands prices triple that of imported peanuts.

Chiba peanuts are consumed in forms beyond roasted nuts: miso-peanut paste (peanuts ground with miso for rice topping), peanut senbei (rice crackers), peanut soft-serve ice cream, and peanut mochi. The Narita Airport terminal shops dedicate entire sections to peanut souvenirs — a final taste of Chiba for departing travelers.