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Product Summary (Registration No.12)

Registration No.12 三輪素麺

Registered name (Transcription) : 三輪素麺(Miwa Sōmen)
Reference information : Miwa Sōmen (Thin Wheat Noodles)

Category of Product

Class 5 Processed agricultural product (Uncooked Sōmen Noodles)

Production Area

Throughout Nara Prefecture

Registered Group

Nara Miwa Sōmen Industrial Cooperative, Nara Miwa Sōmen Sales Association

Characteristics

Miwa Somen production begun during the Nara Period (about 1,300 years ago). Miwa area is said to be the birthplace of Somen. Characterized by the strong “koshi” (close to “al dente”),  Miwa Somen provides excellent elasticity that enables noodles to be extremely thin and prevents the noodles from becoming too soggy after being boiled.

Link with the Production Area

Every February, the “Bokujo Ritual” which is to appreciate Somen is held in Omiwa Shinto Shrine, and Somen producers across the country come to Miwa to participate in this Shinto ritual. Since 1965, the production of Miwa Somen has spread the entire area of Nara Prefecture.

Contact

Intellectual Property Division, Food Industry Affairs Bureau,
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8950, Japan
Tel: +81-3-6744-2062
Fax: +81-3-3502-5301