Vivid Garden Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Rina Akimoto), which operates the direct-from-producer e-commerce site "Tabechoku," held the "Tabechoku National Corn Grand Prix 2026" on July 7, 2026 (Tue.). Thirty-nine entries were submitted by 21 producers from 15 prefectures nationwide. After a preliminary screening by taste professionals, 14 entries advanced to the final round. The final judging was handled by Chef Sho Motooka, known for his cooking that brings out the best in ingredients. The basic judging policy was "raw tasting," with a comprehensive evaluation of the corn's inherent sweetness, juiciness, freshness, and the producer's dedication to cultivation.
The judging process carefully evaluated each corn's unique characteristics, such as sweetness, aroma, and texture, while also comparing the taste differences between raw and cooked preparations. A special "Kids' Judge Award" was also presented, chosen by three children. The results showed that the two entries highly praised by professionals, "Amata-ro" and "Mirai," were also favored by the children. By evaluating based on freshness, sweetness, and juiciness that can only be appreciated when eaten raw, the Grand Prix celebrated the deliciousness unique to direct-from-producer shipments.
Award-winning corn can be found here:
https://www.tabechoku.com/feature_articles/corn-grandprix2026
Amidst a challenging agricultural environment, including rising material costs and a shortage of successors, fair evaluation of corn quality and dedication, and support from fans, are key to sustainable management for producers.
Corn is sweetest and most succulent immediately after harvest. Therefore, this Grand Prix primarily judged the corn raw to highlight its best qualities – freshness, sweetness, and juiciness – unique to direct-from-producer shipments, and to fairly evaluate the producers' skills and dedication.
The purpose of this Grand Prix is to visualize and widely promote the "importance of freshness" and "quality" of corn, thereby contributing to branding and sales expansion. In the "Apple Grand Prix" held in November 2025, some producers saw sales more than 20 times higher in the month following the award compared to the same period the previous year. We will continue this initiative, which goes beyond mere recognition to directly boost sales.
"Tabechoku National Corn Grand Prix 2026" Overview
Date Held: July 7, 2026 (Tue.)
Results Announcement Date: July 8, 2026 (Wed.)
Venue: Minato-ku, Tokyo
Judging Method
The first "Tabechoku National Corn Grand Prix 2026" received 39 entries from producers nationwide. After a rigorous preliminary screening by taste professionals, only the top 14 entries advanced to the final round for the final judging.
Chef Sho Motooka, known for his cooking that brings out the best in ingredients, was in charge of the final judging. The evaluation was based on "sweetness" and "juiciness," characteristics of fresh corn, carefully visualizing the producers' dedication.
The special "Kids' Judge Award" was handled by three "kids' judges" aged 5 to 9. The kids' judges tasted the raw corn as is and selected the corn they felt was "super delicious" with their unadorned sensibilities.
Results List
<Overall Category>
Award Name
Winning Producer / Variety Name
Grand Gold Award
Mamori Farm (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture) / Amata-ro
Gold Award
Country Farm (Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture) / Mirai (Mirai)
Silver Award
Harapeko Farm (Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture) / Dolce Dream
Bronze Award
Ashida Farm (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture) / Shiroi Megumi
<Flavor Category>
Award Name
Winning Producer / Variety Name
Best Sweet Award
⚫︎ Ashida Farm (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture) / Shiroi Megumi
⚫︎ Hatako Farm (Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture) / Whip Corn
Best Juicy Award
⚫︎ Mamori Farm (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture) / Amata-ro
⚫︎ Country Farm (Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture) / Mirai (Mirai)
<Special Awards>
Award Name
Winning Producer / Variety Name
Best Microwave Award (Corn delicious when heated in a microwave)
Tozuka Farm (Kodama District, Saitama Prefecture) / Dolce Dream
Best Grilled Corn Award (Corn delicious when grilled)
Harapeko Farm (Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture) / Premium Mirai
Kids' Judge Award (Best corn selected by kids' judges)
⚫︎ Country Farm (Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture) / Mirai (Mirai)
⚫︎ Mamori Farm (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture) / Amata-ro
Introduction to Award-Winning Corn (Excerpts)
<Overall Category>
Grand Gold Award
・Producer: Mamori Farm (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Amata-ro
・Product URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/products/309219
<Chef Motooka's Comments>
・The skin is thin and the flesh is abundant, making it satisfying and delicious. The kernels are large compared to others. ・The melt-in-your-mouth quality and texture are excellent. ・It's like fruit. It has a strong texture like a pear without the acidity. ・The flavor is also rich in sweetness. It's clear but has a distinct aroma. ・This fruitiness disappears when heated, so I want people to try it raw first. ・Its flavor when eaten raw is exceptional.
<Producer's Dedication Points>
Our farm's cultivation philosophy is "to grow the foundation in the same way as humans are raised."
1 We adjust the soil pH from slightly alkaline to neutral using slag material, 2 replenish essential trace elements for corn such as silicon and manganese, 3 prevent drying with moisture-retaining material derived from banana peels, 4 balance the soil's microbial ecosystem by introducing yeast, lactic acid, and Bacillus bacteria, and 5 apply appropriate mineral fertilizers based on soil analysis.
We grow corn based on these five pillars.
Gold Award
・Producer: Country Farm (Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Mirai (Mirai)
・Product URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/products/91002
<Chef Motooka's Comments>
・It's very juicy and delicious when eaten raw. ・Sweetness and freshness like a pear. ・Its goodness disappears when heated, so I want people to try it raw first. ・It has a solid, corn-like sweetness in the background.
<Producer's Dedication Points>
Our farm has been cultivating corn in the Hanzawa district of Fukaya City for about 50 years. Previously, varieties with a strong bite, so much so that they could be picked one by one by hand, were mainstream. However, the variety we grow has thin skins and high sugar content, making it easy to eat, earning it the name "fruit corn."
While the high sugar content attracts more insects and makes cultivation management difficult, the region has united to improve cultivation techniques and develop it into a major production area.
Silver Award
・Producer: Harapeko Farm (Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Dolce Dream
・Product URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/products/309159
<Chef Motooka's Comments>
・The flavor is fruity, with a freshness and sweetness like a pear. ・The sweetness and flavor were of a very high level.
<Producer's Dedication Points>
Our farm focuses on water quality, cultivating crops using nanobubble hydrogen water to harness their natural strength. By generously applying organic compost, we produce corn that is rich in flavor and packed with sweetness. To maintain freshness, we ship it refrigerated in an upright position after harvest.
Bronze Award
・Producer: Ashida Farm (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Shiroi Megumi
<Chef Motooka's Comments>
・It has an aroma when bitten. The kernels separate well. I want to evaluate it overall. ・The texture when eaten raw is also very good.
<Producer's Dedication Points>
Our farm diligently focuses on daily cultivation, steadily accumulating each task we can perform. We carefully pack the harvested produce in our original cardboard boxes, paying attention to shipping and packaging.
*Not available on Tabechoku.
<Flavor Category>
Best Sweet Award (2 entries)
・Producer: Ashida Farm (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Shiroi Megumi
<Chef Motooka's Comments>
・It has an aroma when bitten. The kernels separate well. I want to evaluate it overall. ・The texture when eaten raw is also very good.
・Producer: Hatako Farm (Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Whip Corn
・Product URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/products/234121
<Chef Motooka's Comments>
・When evaluated solely for sweetness, it is the sweetest I have tasted. ・It was truly just one step away from winning in the overall category.
Best Juicy Award (2 entries)
・Producer: Mamori Farm (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Amata-ro
・Product URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/products/309219
<Chef Motooka's Comments>
・The skin is thin and the flesh is abundant, making it satisfying and delicious. The kernels are large compared to others. ・The melt-in-your-mouth quality and texture are excellent. ・It's like fruit. It has a strong texture like a pear without the acidity. ・The flavor is also rich in sweetness. It's clear but has a distinct aroma. ・This fruitiness disappears when heated, so I want people to try it raw first. ・Its flavor when eaten raw is exceptional.
・Producer: Country Farm (Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Mirai (Mirai)
・Product URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/products/91002
<Chef Motooka's Comments>
・It's very juicy and delicious when eaten raw. ・Sweetness and freshness like a pear. ・Its goodness disappears when heated, so I want people to try it raw first. ・It has a solid, corn-like sweetness in the background.
<Special Awards>
Best Microwave Award
・Producer: Tozuka Farm (Kodama District, Saitama Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Dolce Dream
・Product URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/products/305201
<Chef Motooka's Comments> ・When microwaved, it has the sweetness and aroma of boiled corn. ・When raw, the taste is slightly light, but when microwaved, it develops a rich sweetness like sweet potato. ・Undoubtedly the best for microwaving. It has a corn-like sweetness and a sweetness like corn potage.
<Producer's Dedication Points>
Our farm cultivates on land inherited from my grandfather, focusing on soil enrichment. By utilizing green manure, chicken manure, and homemade rice bran, we maximize the soil's natural nutrient supply capacity and microbial activity to ensure delicious growth.
Leveraging the sense of responsibility and judgment cultivated during my previous career as a firefighter, I strive daily to deliver high-quality agricultural products through careful cultivation.
Best Grilled Corn Award
・Producer: Harapeko Farm (Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Premium Mirai
・Product URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/products/42261
<Chef Motooka's Comments>
・The texture was good when grilled. ・The texture matched the rich sweetness.
<Producer's Dedication Points>
Our farm focuses on water quality, cultivating crops using nanobubble hydrogen water to harness their natural strength. By generously applying organic compost, we produce corn that is rich in flavor and packed with sweetness.
After harvest, to maintain freshness, we deliver the corn refrigerated in an upright position, hoping to bring smiles even before the box is opened.
Kids' Judge Award
・Producer: Country Farm (Fukaya City, Saitama Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Mirai (Mirai)
・Product URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/products/91002
・Producer: Mamori Farm (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture)
・Variety Name: Amata-ro
・Product URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/products/309219
<Kids' Judges (Ages 5-9) Comments>
・It was super delicious!
・It tastes like corn
・(Each one) tastes completely different
Feature Page: https://www.tabechoku.com/feature_articles/corn-grandprix2026
Introduction to Chef Sho Motooka
Sho Motooka
Moved to France at 19 and trained in various regions, then at the young age of 23, became head chef at the farm-integrated restaurant "Restaurant bios" in Shizuoka Prefecture. At 25, he won the Grand Prix runner-up at Japan's largest culinary competition (RED u35). In the same year, he received the "Promising Young Chef Award" from Gault&Millau. At 27, he opened Restaurant KAM. He has received numerous awards, including Japan Times Destination Restaurant 2025 and Hitotsara Best Chef 50, Best Vegetable Restaurants.
Sho Motooka / Higashiguchi KAM
・Chef Motooka's Overall Comments
I participated without any preconceptions, and I was surprised at how much the taste of freshly harvested corn could vary, even within the same variety.
As someone who also cultivates, I am very curious about methods for growing large, juicy kernels.
Furthermore, the fact that the deliciousness when eaten raw does not always match that when cooked was interesting, and it reaffirmed the importance of choosing based on cooking method.
It is rare to have the opportunity to compare so many corns raw and directly experience the differences in taste, aroma, and texture. It was a very educational and enjoyable experience. Thank you for this valuable opportunity.
Tabechoku's Initiatives Regarding Corn
◼︎ Tabechoku's Recommended Way to Choose Corn
https://www.tabechoku.com/products/categories/100008/magazine
◼︎ Latest Recommended Information: Corn
https://www.tabechoku.com/feature_articles/product_categories/100008
◼︎ What is "Truly Delicious Corn"? Findings from Comparing 90 Varieties
https://www.tabechoku.com/feature_articles/corn_fieldday
Media Inquiries
We can arrange interviews with award-winning producers and provide official materials from the judging day. If you are interested, please contact us via the link below.
・Media Application Form: https://forms.gle/VubingRb83TM7EDEA
About Tabechoku-Sponsored Competitions
We hold competitions optimally suited for each product category, aiming for a world where producers' dedication is fairly evaluated.
A key feature of this Grand Prix is that it goes beyond mere awards. Award recipients receive ongoing practical support directly linked to business growth, including sales promotion support within Tabechoku, priority introductions for collaborations with companies, and provision of award labels. We focus on supporting the continued development of our producers even after they receive an award.
Past Events
・June 2026: Tabechoku Craft Gift Grand Prix 2026
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000475.000025043.html
・April 2026: Tabechoku National Asparagus Grand Prix 2026
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000464.000025043.html
・February 2026: Tabechoku National Mandarin Orange & Citrus Grand Prix 2026
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000449.000025043.html
・February 2026: Tabechoku Strawberry Grand Prix 2026
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000438.000025043.html
・November 2025: Tabechoku Apple Grand Prix 2025
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000342.000025043.html
◾️ About "Tabechoku"
Tabechoku is a direct-from-producer e-commerce site where consumers can purchase ingredients and flowers directly from dedicated producers. It has achieved 9 No. 1 rankings (※1) among Japanese direct-from-producer e-commerce sites in areas such as recognition and usage rates.
It handles a wide range of products, including vegetables, fruits, rice, meat, fish, beverages, and flowers. A key feature is that consumers can directly interact with producers, such as by sending feedback on their purchases.
It also offers services such as "Tabechoku Concierge," a vegetable subscription service that selects producers based on customer preferences, and "Vivid TABLE," a frozen food subscription service. Additionally, it provides "Tabechoku for Business," a service for corporations that can be used for employee benefits and sales promotion campaigns.
As of April 2026, it has over 1.35 million users and 11,500 registered producers, with approximately 50,000 unique items listed.
・URL: https://www.tabechoku.com/
・Official X (Twitter): https://x.com/tabechoku
・Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabechoku/
・Service introduction video explaining Tabechoku's concept and story
(※1) Achieved No. 1 in 9 categories among domestic direct-from-producer e-commerce sites: "Customer Recognition," "Customer Usage Rate," "Customer Usage Intention," "Web Access Volume," "SNS Follower Count," "Number of Producers," "Producer Recognition," "Producer Usage Rate," and "Producer Usage Intention."
Press Release URL: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000344.000025043.html
(※2) Direct-from-producer e-commerce site: A producer-focused e-commerce site characterized by producers shipping products directly to consumers' homes.
◾️ About Vivid Garden Inc.
Representative: Rina Akimoto, Representative Director and President
Head Office Location: 1-7-3 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Daiichi Bldg. 4F
Establishment Date: November 29, 2016
Business Activities: Development and operation of "Tabechoku," a direct-from-producer e-commerce site for purchasing ingredients and flowers directly from producers nationwide; development and operation of "Vivid TABLE," a frozen food brand where producers' faces are visible; support for national and local governments.
Company HP: https://vivid-garden.co.jp/
Official X (Twitter): https://x.com/vivid_garden_jp
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: Event結果