Company Profile

Message from Managing Director

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for choosing TAWARAYA Rice.

My name is Yuichi Sato, and I lead quality control and rice Polishing management here at TAWARAYA Singapore since 2011.

Having grown up in a rice-farming family in Niigata—helping my grandfather plant and harvest the fields since childhood—my life has always been deeply rooted in Japanese rice. Every pack we deliver carries this lifelong passion, and I am confident its vibrant flavor will bring pure joy to your dining table.

I would love to share the story of how we began—and our relentless dedication to authentic Japanese rice.

TAWARAYA’s journey started in Hong Kong in 2008. While the city was a culinary capital overflowing with fresh ingredients and master chefs, we felt a painful void every time we sat down to eat. Something essential was missing: truly delicious Japanese rice.

Authentic Japanese rice is a masterpiece born from the tireless devotion of farmers. When cooked, every grain shines like a jewel, retaining its enchanting aroma and natural sweetness even after it cools. Yet overseas, pre-polished imported rice lost its vitality long before reaching the table. Driven by a burning belief—"We want to eat rice that is truly safe, fresh, and breathtakingly delicious"—we founded TAWARAYA as the world’s first overseas Japanese rice specialty store.

At first, people called our dream reckless. Refusing to give up, we traveled across Japan, walking the paddies and tasting hundreds of harvests until our passion connected us with extraordinary farmers—like Mr. Naruse in Niseko, Hokkaido, and Mr. Okubo in Minami-Uonuma, Niigata. Blessed with pristine water, rich earth, and unyielding pride, these farmers pour their souls into growing safe, specially cultivated brown rice with minimal pesticides. To do justice to their hard work, we vowed to deliver Japan’s finest rice in its absolute peak condition, anywhere in the world.

Rice is a living, breathing gift of nature, and it begins losing its aroma the moment it is polished. That is why we import unpolished brown rice in dedicated temperature-controlled containers kept strictly at 18°C, resting it in climate-controlled warehouses. Timed precisely to your order, we mill each batch fresh at our local facility, adjusting to the day's exact temperature, humidity, and your preferred Polishing level.

This uncompromising "neighborhood rice shop" craft has been trusted by families across Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hawaii, as well as over 150 top Japanese restaurants—and I was deeply honored to have our passion and craft featured by the MICHELIN Guide Singapore as Singapore’s only certified Japanese Rice Sommelier.

Because "good rice makes good sake," we are overjoyed to share the warmth and vitality of Japan through our freshly Polished rice, curated delicacies, and artisanal sake.

While we pour our pride into every bag, the final step of protecting its magic happens in your kitchen. In Singapore’s warm and humid climate, we passionately recommend storing your rice in the refrigerator—pouring it into a clean, dry plastic bottle works wonders! This shields the living grains from moisture and insects, locking in that "just-Polishing" sweetness far beyond the standard best-before date.

Guided by our motto, "Everyday tables, everyday smiles, and everyday TAWARAYA Rice," our team is always here to help you cook the ultimate pot of rice. Please reach out anytime with your questions, feedback, or requests.

Thank you for reading our story. Please savor your freshly Polished (Milled) TAWARAYA Rice while it is bursting with life!

Thank you.

Managing Director

Yuichi Sato