Kamenoo is an old strain that was developed in Yamagata around 1893. It was popular for a brief time around 1925, however it fell out of common use due to a low resistance to pests and fertilizers. Some farmers in Niigata have recently been bringing it back, which you can read about in the manga “Natsuko no Sake 夏子の酒”! In Yamagata, too, the rice has seen a revival. The name of the rice means “Turtle’s Tail” and it has a unique softness to the taste.
