Kuriya　[Kumamoto]

One Ingredient, Taken Seriously

Kuriya was founded in 1882 in Kagawa Prefecture, and it has spent the last 140 years doing one thing: finding and selling exceptional Japanese rice. In Japan, rice is not just a staple. It is a nuanced ingredient where variety, region, and growing conditions all shape the flavor in significant ways. Kuriya has built its entire business around understanding those differences and sourcing accordingly.

Every batch is inspected before it arrives at the warehouse. From there, the rice is stored as unpolished brown rice and milled only when an order comes in, so what reaches you is at peak freshness. The goal is not volume. It is getting the best possible rice to the people who will actually taste the difference.

 

Thirty Years of Tasting Rice for a Living

Mr. Tokunaga, Kuriya's resident rice expert, has been working with rice for over 30 years. At any given time, Kuriya carries around 70 varieties, and Mr. Tokunaga tastes them regularly, always comparing against a reference rice to track differences in flavor and texture. It is a rigorous and unglamorous process, and it is exactly what keeps their standards consistent.

Beyond tasting, Mr. Tokunaga visits the farms directly, looking at soil, growing methods, and the philosophy of the farmers themselves. The idea is that the story behind the rice matters as much as what ends up on your table. Sourcing on data alone only tells part of the story.

 

Rice the Way You Would Choose Wine

In Japan, there is a long-standing culture of matching rice to the occasion. Sushi calls for a variety with clean, defined grains and a delicate aroma. Traditional Japanese dishes pair well with something softer and slightly sweet. Grilled meats or butter-based dishes can handle a rice with more body and texture.

Kuriya has been expanding that idea by offering smaller quantities of different varieties, making it easier to experiment and find what works for your cooking. Think of it the way you would approach wine: not just something to fill the glass, but something that fits the meal. Rice is not just a side dish, but an ingredient worth exploring. That is the idea Kuriya is bringing to kitchens beyond Japan.