Raw material / 原材料Food ingredients

Tochi-no-Mi (Japanese Horse Chestnut)

栃の実 (Tochi-no-Mi)

Why source from Japan

Multi-day water-leaching artisan tradition is uniquely Japanese; tochi-mochi from Niigata and Toyama mountain villages have 200+ year heritage.

Key spec

Starch 50-60% dry weight; tannin <0.5% post-leaching; protein 6-8%.

Typical end-product

Regional tochi-mochi for export confectionery, premium wagashi, specialty mountain-village retail.

At a glance

Suppliers listed: 1 supplier
Typical MOQ: 10–50 kg dried; 5–25 kg processed
Typical lead time: 10–16 weeks (multi-week leaching)
Regions of origin: Niigata, Toyama, Iwate, Nagano
Category: Food ingredients
Harvest season: Late September – October
Japan regulatory status: Food product; tannin content disclosed; JAS-eligible processing routes
Japanese name: 栃の実
Romaji: Tochi-no-Mi

About this ingredient

Japanese horse chestnut (Aesculus turbinata) — the foundation of regional confectionery in Tōhoku, Hokuriku, and the mountainous central Japan. Tochi mochi (horse-chestnut mochi) is a regional speciality particularly in Niigata, Toyama, Iwate, and Nagano. The nuts require a multi-day water-leaching process to remove tannins; this artisan know-how is now concentrated in small confectionery producers and mountain villages. Distinct from tochi-honey (the related horse-chestnut honey varietal). Used in mochi confectionery, regional specialty bread, and increasingly in upscale Japanese dessert lines.

Regulatory status

Japan	Food product; tannin content disclosed; JAS-eligible processing routes
EU	Food import; pre-1997 EU consumption typical for traditional-food positioning
United States	GRAS by traditional use; FDA Prior Notice required
China	Imported nut product; GACC food facility registration

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

Tochi-no-Mi (Japanese Horse Chestnut) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:

Easier China regulatory path

Tochi-no-Mi (Japanese Horse Chestnut) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:

When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →

Japanese suppliers

Morinaga & Co., Ltd.
森永製菓株式会社
TokyoEst. 1918
English supportExport experience
Tochi-mochi confectionery line

Inquire about Tochi-no-Mi (Japanese Horse Chestnut)

Disclaimer

Japan Ingredient Sourcing Platform introduces overseas buyers to Japanese ingredient manufacturers. The platform is an information service only and is not a party to any purchase, supply, or manufacturing contract between buyer and seller.

Information shown — including company details, product descriptions, regions of origin, minimum order quantities, lead times, certifications, and regulatory references — is compiled primarily from publicly available sources and manufacturer websites. Specifications change without notice; buyers are expected to verify current specifications, pricing, certification status, and regulatory compliance directly with each manufacturer before placing orders or signing contracts.

The platform operator is not licensed to provide legal, regulatory, customs, tax, or professional advice. References to third-party companies, products, certifications, trademarks, and geographical indications (GI) are factual and do not imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Last updated: 2026-05-05

Inquire about Tochi-no-Mi (Japanese Horse Chestnut)