Lotus root harvest in bloom

By Shinobu Miwa

A farmer washes mud off a lotus root in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture.

The Daily Yomiuri

The lotus root harvest season has begun in the vicinity of Lake Kasumigaura in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki Prefecture.

The area is famous for its abundance of the renkon vegetable and produces about 30 percent of the nation's total harvest and about 90 percent of the roots in the Tokyo area.

Last summer farm production was damaged by unusually cool weather, but this summer was dry and hot, resulting in a normal harvest. Sinking to their waists in mud, farmers dig out lotus roots by hand and clean the muddy roots using water from wells.

It is said people can see the future through the holes in the vegetable. Therefore, lotus roots are popular in New Year's dishes as it is believed that the vegetable will bring good fortune to those who eat it.

The lotus root harvest season will reach its peak in mid-December in time for the New Year's holidays.