Why source from Japan
Kochi's >80% production share; unique to Japanese cuisine; floral / herbal profile distinct from common ginger.
Key spec
Volatile oil with mioganal and citral; minimal pungency vs Z. officinale; characteristic floral profile.
Typical end-product
Sashimi accent, salad / pickle ingredient, fine-dining herbal accompaniment.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 5–25 kg fresh; 1–10 kg pickled
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks (in season)
- Regions of origin
- Kochi (~80%), Akita, Nara
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- Summer (June – September)
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; Kochi regional brand
- Japanese name
- 茗荷
- Romaji
- 茗荷
About this ingredient
Japanese ginger (Zingiber mioga), distinct from the more-cultivated common ginger (Z. officinale). Used not for the rhizome but for the unique flower-buds (myoga-no-ko) and shoots (myoga-take). Kochi (~80% of national production), Akita, and Nara are the principal commercial regions. Used as a sashimi accent, in salads, and as a fragrant spice — its character is more delicate and floral than common ginger. Distinct from existing herb / vegetable entries.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; Kochi regional brand |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; phytosanitary |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice; phytosanitary |
| China | GACC; phytosanitary |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Myōga (Japanese Ginger) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
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Last updated: 2026-05-05