Message from the Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture

Have you heard of “Youbeni,” the original strawberry variety developed in Kumamoto Prefecture?

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This unique variety was cultivated over nine years of dedicated research and was officially released in 2015.

Youbeni is known for its deep red color, large size, and refined flavor, perfectly balancing sweetness and acidity.

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Compared to conventional varieties, Youbeni yields particularly well from November to December—the start of the shipping season—and maintains a stable harvest through May. This ensures that more people can enjoy its delicious taste over an extended period.

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Since cultivation began in 2015, the acreage of Youbeni has steadily expanded, even overcoming the challenges of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.

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Youbeni has become not only Kumamoto’s signature strawberry variety but also a symbol of our regional brand, “Kumamoto no Aka” (Kumamoto Red), which promotes the pride and passion of our prefecture.

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Grown with love and care by local farmers in Kumamoto’s rich natural environment, we hope you will enjoy Youbeni and support the continued growth of our agricultural tradition.