Shirakiku Nanatsuboshi is a premium short-grain white rice from Hokkaido that delivers a balanced, slightly sweet flavor with a satisfying springy texture. It holds up beautifully whether served hot from the cooker or cold in a bento, and the 11 lb bag is a practical size for households that cook Japanese rice regularly. For anyone seeking authentic Hokkaido rice without overpaying, this is one of the best options available in the US.

What It Is

Nanatsuboshi is a short-grain white rice variety developed at Hokkaido's Central Agricultural Experiment Station and officially registered as an excellent rice variety in 2001. Its name comes from the Japanese word for the Big Dipper constellation (七つ星), a nod to the clear, star-filled skies over Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost and most pristine agricultural region. Today, Nanatsuboshi occupies roughly half of all rice-planted area in Hokkaido, making it the most widely grown variety in the prefecture.

This particular product is distributed by Shirakiku, a brand under JFC International, one of the most established Asian food distributors in the United States since 1958. The 11 lb (approximately 5 kg) bag is a standard retail format for this variety and a convenient size for regular home cooking.

Who It's For

This rice is a great fit for home cooks who want to prepare authentic Japanese meals, from everyday steamed rice bowls to sushi, onigiri, and bento boxes. If you've been cooking with generic "sushi rice" from the supermarket and want to step up to a named Hokkaido variety with real pedigree, Nanatsuboshi is an excellent entry point. It's also naturally gluten-free, vegan, and low-fat, so it fits comfortably into a wide range of dietary preferences.

Seasoned Japanese food enthusiasts who already know and love Koshihikari or Yumepirika will appreciate Nanatsuboshi for its distinct personality. It's not trying to be the stickiest or the softest rice on the shelf. Instead, it offers a firmer, more structured grain that shines in preparations where you want each grain to hold its shape.

How It Performs

The standout quality of Nanatsuboshi is its consistency. The Japan Grain Inspection Association, which uses 100 trained evaluators to blindly score rice on appearance, aroma, taste, stickiness, firmness, and overall quality, has awarded Nanatsuboshi its highest "Special A" rank every single year since 2010. That's 14 consecutive years of top marks as of the most recent evaluation. Out of 144 rice brands evaluated in 2023, only about 30% earned that distinction. Nanatsuboshi is not just good; it's a verified benchmark. In fact, Hokkaido's Kamikawa Agricultural Experiment Station uses Nanatsuboshi as the comparison standard when developing new rice varieties.

Cooked fresh, the grains have a pleasant, moderate stickiness with a springy bite. The sweetness is gentle and clean, not cloying. The aroma is subtle but present, a light, comforting rice fragrance that fills the kitchen without being overpowering. Compared to Yumepirika, which tends to be softer and stickier, Nanatsuboshi has more structure. Think of it as the everyday workhorse of Hokkaido rice: reliable, versatile, and satisfying meal after meal.

Where Nanatsuboshi really sets itself apart is cold performance. Many rice varieties lose their appeal once they cool down, turning dry or chalky. Nanatsuboshi retains its flavor, aroma, and texture even at room temperature. This makes it ideal for onigiri (rice balls), bento lunches, and sushi preparations where the rice sits for a while before eating. If you pack lunches for work or school, this quality alone is worth the price of admission.

Pros

• Consistently awarded Japan's highest "Special A" rice ranking for over 14 consecutive years
• Retains excellent flavor and texture when cold, perfect for bento, onigiri, and sushi
• Balanced profile with moderate stickiness and a pleasant springy firmness
• Grown in Hokkaido, one of Japan's most respected rice-producing regions
• Distributed by Shirakiku/JFC International, a trusted name in Japanese food distribution since 1958
• Naturally gluten-free, vegan, and low-fat
• The 11 lb bag is a practical household size that lasts without taking up excessive pantry space

Cons

• Firmer texture may not appeal to those who prefer ultra-soft, very sticky rice like Yumepirika or premium Koshihikari
• As an imported Hokkaido rice, it carries a price premium over domestically grown US short-grain rice
• The 11 lb bag, while practical, may be too large for infrequent rice cookers or single-person households
• Flavor differences from other premium Japanese varieties can be subtle, and casual eaters may not notice the distinction

Value and Pricing Context

Imported Japanese rice has become more expensive across the board. Rice prices in Japan hit record highs in early 2025, with a 5 kg bag reaching 4,051 yen (roughly $27 USD), up 77% from the prior year. That price pressure has rippled into the US market. Competitor retailers list comparable Hokkaido Nanatsuboshi 11 lb bags in the $35 to $36 range. While this is certainly more than a bag of Calrose, you're paying for a specific origin, a proven track record of quality, and a flavor profile that generic short-grain rice simply cannot replicate.

For our local Marietta, Georgia community, in-store pickup is always an option and saves on shipping. For customers ordering nationwide through our online store, the 11 lb format ships well via UPS and represents solid value per pound compared to smaller bags.

Cooking Tips

To get the best results from Nanatsuboshi, rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs mostly clear, usually three to four rinses. Soak for 30 minutes before cooking if you have the time; this helps the grains absorb water evenly and cook to a uniform texture. Use a 1:1 ratio of rice to water (or slightly less water if you prefer a firmer result). A quality rice cooker will do the heavy lifting, but stovetop preparation works well too with a heavy-bottomed pot and a tight lid.

After cooking, let the rice steam with the lid on for about 10 minutes, then gently fluff with a rice paddle using a cutting motion rather than stirring. This preserves the individual grain structure that makes Nanatsuboshi so appealing.

The Verdict

Shirakiku Nanatsuboshi is a genuinely excellent everyday rice with the credentials to back it up. Its 14-year streak of "Special A" rankings is not a marketing gimmick; it reflects consistent, measurable quality confirmed by professional evaluators year after year. The cold-holding ability makes it uniquely versatile for Japanese home cooking, and the balanced texture works across a wide range of dishes. It's not the cheapest rice you'll find, but for anyone who values authentic Hokkaido quality, this bag delivers exactly what it promises. We're proud to carry it at Tomato Japanese Grocery, and we think it deserves a permanent spot in your pantry.