Japanese Heirloom Seeds I’m Growing in 2026: Rare Varieties You Won’t Find in Supermarkets

— A collection of Japanese heirloom varieties rarely found in supermarkets

Back in February, when patches of snow still lingered, I bought the seeds for this year’s vegetable garden. Thinking about what to plant and where to plant it is one of my small pleasures at the end of winter.

I’ve grown vegetables from seed many times, but this year I chose more Japanese heirloom varieties because I want to try saving seeds for the first time.

Here are the members of my 2026 garden.

Urizun Winged Bean

“A mysterious bean that feels nostalgic, even though it’s new to me”

Last year, I tasted winged beans for the first time. Its shape is so unusual that I wondered, “Is this really a bean?” Salads, tempura, stir-fries—apparently it works with anything. I had it marinated, and it was delicious.

Since this bean never appears in local supermarkets, I’m planting it this year with hopes of a big harvest.

White Okra ‘Yang Guifei’

“Elegant white pods that will delight the okra-loving grandpa in our garden”

There’s an elderly gardener in our community plot who is passionate about round-podded okra. I sometimes feel a bit of pressure not to plant the hexagonal kind, but his love for okra is admirable. This year, I’m planting this beautiful white round okra, hoping to share some with him.

Red-Skinned Chestnut Kabocha

“A small, sweet, hardworking pumpkin”

A Japanese heirloom pumpkin with a fluffy, chestnut-like texture. Its small size makes it easy to use up, and the skin isn’t too hard—perfect for my parents’ garden. We’ve grown butternut squash for the past two years, but this year I’m trying this traditional red-skinned variety.

Kuroda Gosun Carrot

“A dependable classic I look forward to harvesting”

I once grew the winter-hardy version of this carrot, and both the flavor and growth were excellent. This variety—Kuroda Gosun Carrot（くろだごすんにんじん）—is known for its high beta-carotene content and strong nutritional value. This time, I’m planting the spring-sowing type.

Sagami Half-White Cucumber

“A stout little cucumber with first-class flavor”

A cucumber with a white lower half and a charmingly plump shape. It looks unusual, but the seed packet confidently says “delicious.” I have a soft spot for vegetables that look a bit odd but taste amazing. Since this variety never appears in supermarkets, I’m growing it myself.

Sendai Long Eggplant

“A graceful long eggplant suited to the climate of northern Japan”

This heirloom variety comes from the Tohoku region, so I thought it might grow well here. I’m excited to see how long the fruits will get. For some reason, F1 eggplants never do well for me, so I’m placing my hopes on this traditional variety.

Bush-Type Moroccan Green Beans

“A yearly favorite—reliable whether fried or boiled”

I plant bush beans every year without fail. Deep-fried, tempura, boiled with miso-mayo—there are endless ways to enjoy them. This variety is stringless and easy to eat, making it a dependable regular in my garden.

Banana Pepper

“A bright yellow sweetness that lights up the kitchen”

I really wanted to grow banana peppers this year. They’re said to be sweet and delicious. I also want to try making pepper koji with yellow peppers, so I’m aiming for a big harvest.

Manganji Sweet Pepper

“Mild but full of presence—a versatile performer”

A Japanese sweet pepper with no heat. Great grilled, simmered, or stir-fried. If I harvest plenty, I’ll add them to everything.

Swiss Chard ‘Tricolore’

“A colorful leaf vegetable that brightens the garden”

With stems in vibrant colors, this leafy green instantly makes the garden cheerful. It works in salads, ohitashi, or as a substitute for spinach. It’s visually fun, so I’m growing it again this year.

Baby Leaf / Lettuce Mix

“Leaves that grow up fast if you look away for a moment”

I always dedicate a bed to leafy greens, and baby leaf mixes are a must. If you ignore them, they quickly grow into full-sized leaves—but those are tasty too. A perfect addition to my morning salads.

Tawara-Mazeran Potato

— Bonus — “A long-awaited chance to try a rare Tawara-type potato”

I’ve been wanting to grow a Tawara-type potato, but seed potatoes were hard to find. I finally discovered a box of small, “imperfect” Tawara-Mazeran potatoes online, so I’m planting them this year. I’m excited to see how they taste.

🌿 Closing Thoughts

This year’s garden is a slightly adventurous lineup, filled with Japanese heirloom varieties rarely seen in supermarkets. I’m looking forward to watching them grow while trying my hand at seed-saving.

For a clear and easy‑to‑understand explanation of the difference between open‑pollinated and F1 hybrid varieties, you can read more here:
🌱 https://ochanokosai-sai.com/open-pollinated-vs-f1-hybrid-seeds-fall-garden-review/