Japanese “Multigrain Rice” is a traditional and healthy staple food.
In Japan, there are many delicious dishes such as sushi, ramen, sukiyaki, tempura, tonkatsu, and so on.
However, if you take such meals every day while traveling in Japan, your stomach will probably get tired.
One option to keep you healthy is Multigrain Rice.
Minor grain rice in Japan was born as “five grains” in the history book called “Kojiki” which was born in 712 AD, and “rice, millet, wheat, azuki beans, and soybeans” are mentioned.
Multigrain Rice can be said to be an ancient traditional Japanese food.
Multigrain Rice contains more vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and vegetable protein than white rice, and contributes to your health.
The staple food of many Japanese is white rice, but some add Multigrain out of concern for their own health.
Here are some stores where you can enjoy healthy Multigrain Rice, a traditional Japanese food.
Three typical restaurants in Japan where you can eat “Multigrain Rice”.
①OOTOYA (大戸屋)
OOTOYA is a large chain with 308 stores in Japan and 111 stores overseas (as of March 31, 2024).
The concept of OOTOYA is “the taste of Japanese home,” which is slightly different from what most visitors to Japan think of as Japanese food.
Although I am Japanese, I can enjoy meals that are truly rooted in Japan in the true sense of the word, and that even Japanese people feel “nostalgic” when they eat them.
At OOTOYA, you can choose either “white rice” or “Multigrain Rice (five grains)” when ordering.
Please choose Multigrain Rice and enjoy a traditional meal rooted in Japan.
②YAYOI KEN (やよい軒)
YAYOI KEN is a large chain of restaurants with 359 stores in Japan and 248 stores overseas (as of the end of February 2025).
YAYOI KEN emphasizes nutritional balance and fresh, seasonal ingredients based on the concept that “Japanese food can bring more smiles to the world.
For this reason, the company is actively expanding its business overseas.
At YAYOI KEN, you can switch from white rice to Multigrain Rice for an additional 30 Japanese-yen.
Among minor grains, we use “Glutinous barley(MOCHI MUGI)” and you can enjoy Multigrain Rice that is rich in dietary fiber.
③TANITA CAFE (タニタカフェ)
TANITA CAFE is a restaurant operated by Tanita Corporation.
Tanita’s main business is the manufacture of measuring instruments such as scales, and is known as the first company in the world to manufacture and sell body fat meters and body composition analyzers.
As of March 31, 2025, there are 39 TANITA CAFE in Japan (as of March 31, 2025), proposed by professionals who know the human body inside and out.
The concept of TANITA CAFE is a new style of cafe based on the themes of “fun” and “comfort,” and aims to make health a natural part of daily life.
At TANITA CAFE, you will not be served only white rice.
All rice is served as Multigrain Rice.
We also have a selection of salad bowls and other dishes for those who do not want to consume white rice at all in the first place.
If you are tired of eating in Japan, Let’s try “Multigrain Rice”
As mentioned above, we hope that you now understand that Multigrain Rice is good for your health.
But not only that, you also understand that all the restaurants that serve Multigrain are “concerned about the health of their customers”, don’t you?
In Japan, minor grain rice is the food of choice when people are concerned about their health, and “stores that serve Multigrain Rice” is one indicator of a healthy diet.
At the same time, they often offer traditional Japanese meals.
How about tasting a traditional meal that is not for health-conscious tourists at least once during your trip to Japan?
