The Yahata sand dune area formed when large amounts of soil and sand flowed out from the Kokufu River and sand was carried by the strong southwestern winds that blow from spring to summer. The traditional vegetable grown in this dune area is the Yahata potato. It is a specialty of the Yahata area, and was even delivered to the magistrate’s office during the Edo period (1603-1868). Because of its low yield and the fact that it was one of the rarest breeds of the taro family, it was forbidden to ship the yahata potato off Sado Island. Satoimo (Taro) prefers clay soil by nature, but Yahata potatoes grow in sandy soil. They are of the “Dodare” group of potatoes and their texture is very sticky.

Yahata potatoes are the size of the palm of your hand and characterized by being a little more slender than common taro. Their texture is starchy and slimy and they are eaten in stews, nabe (one-pot stews), soups, and cooked rice.