Located along Prefectural Route 6, "Dried Sweet Potato Specialty Store Daimaruya" is marked by a large stone statue of a Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato).Inside the spacious, hall-like store, they reportedly stock over 30 varieties of Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato), including different shapes such as flat slices, round slices, and sticks, as well as various cultivars. When I actually visited, I was surprised by the sheer variety of Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) available. A key feature of the shop is its extensive lineup, designed so customers can enjoy browsing and selecting their favorite Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato).
They handle everything in-house, from growing the sweet potatoes to manufacturing the products, ensuring consistent quality.
Daimaruya’s packaging is perfect for gifts, and you can choose from options suited for both gift-giving and personal use.
Daimaruya’s Products and Commitment to Additive-Free
With a 120-year history, the company sells not only Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) but also sweet potatoes, gelato, and pickled rakkyo. They are committed to additive-free products; their gelato contains no preservatives, artificial flavors, or colorants, and is made without eggs. It features a gentle sweetness that lets you savor the natural flavor of the ingredients.
Inside Daimaruya
The store has a calm atmosphere where you can take your time selecting products. The packaging designs, tailored to each variety and product’s characteristics, are another highlight. Since they produce everything in-house, you’ll sometimes find items with simple packaging or irregularly shaped products, allowing you to choose based on your needs.
On holidays, the shop is bustling with tour groups arriving by bus, locals enjoying gelato in the café area, and others looking for gifts.
Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) and How to Enjoy Gelato
Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) offers a perfect balance of softness and sweetness, and the dried round varieties are reportedly carefully selected for their exceptional tenderness before being packaged. In addition to the classic “Beni Haruka,” they also carry rare varieties like “Healthy Red” and “Komachi,” allowing you to enjoy the distinct flavors of each variety.
You can add toppings to the gelato (PN1), and in addition to the classic milk flavor, flavors that highlight the natural taste of sweet potatoes are also popular. The rich flavor of the sweet potato spreads throughout the refreshing texture. This is an original gelato unique to Daimaruya.
Services That Delight Travelers
We also offer shipping, so you can shop with peace of mind even while traveling. This shop is highly recommended not only as a stop on your sightseeing itinerary but also for those looking for Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) gifts or anyone who loves sweet potato treats.
Founded in 1897 — The History of Nakaminato and Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato)
Daimaruya was founded in 1897 (Meiji 30). It is a long-established shop that has consistently adhered to the principle of “making additive-free, safe, and reliable food” for 127 years.
The Nakaminato region, where the store is located, is known as “the area in Ibaraki that began producing dried sweet potatoes earliest,” and Daimaruya is introduced as “a long-established dried sweet potato shop that has continued since the days when dried sweet potatoes first arrived in the region.” While Ibaraki’s Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) culture now boasts the highest production volume in Japan, the Nakaminato region and Daimaruya have played a key role in its origins.
Traditional Flavor Perfected in the Glass-Walled “Dried Sweet Potato Factory”
The “Dried Sweet Potato Factory” located on the premises is the backbone of Daimaruya’s Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) production. In this transparent, glass-walled drying facility, Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) is dried indoors—a safe and secure environment free from dust and debris from the outside air—whenever the weather permits.
The floor is made of stone, and the design is meticulously focused on hygiene to minimize dust. By managing the entire process—from growing the sweet potatoes to drying and processing—in-house, we provide Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) of consistent quality. It is precisely because we manage all these manufacturing processes ourselves that we can maintain our commitment to “all products being additive-free.”
Café Corner “Camelot” and Gelato
Daimaruya features an attached café corner called “Camelot,” where you can take a break and enjoy our homemade gelato.
The gelato menu features a total of 16 flavors, including 6 varieties of sweet potato gelato. Made with "non-egg gelato" that contains absolutely no preservatives, artificial flavors, or artificial colors, you can enjoy the authentic taste of the ingredients. Prices are 400 yen for a single scoop and 700 yen for a double scoop. Please note that the café area closes at 4:30 PM, which is slightly earlier than the main store’s closing time.
Gelato topped with Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) is a combination unique to Daimaruya. Tour groups arriving by bus also take a break in the café area to enjoy Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) and gelato.
Daimaruya’s Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato) Featured in the Media
Daimaruya has won first place in the “Nationwide Beloved Reverse Local Pride Grand Prix” and has a long history of media coverage.
It has been featured on nationally broadcast programs such as "Ousama no Brunch," "ZIP!," "Ibakira TV," and "Sakurai & Ariyoshi THE Yakai." Widely recognized as a representative establishment for Ibaraki’s Hoshi-imo (dried sweet potato), it is a trusted, go-to brand for selecting souvenirs during your travels.
Online sales are available through three platforms—FC2 Cart, Yahoo! Shopping, and our online store—and we accommodate shipping to distant locations as well as repeat purchases. We also offer “Gift Sets,” making them ideal for year-end and mid-year gifts, as well as souvenirs for family visits.