Japanese Seed Companies

I have been interested in looking at the Japanese seed company sites, but didn't have any website addresses.

Well, low and behold, I was checking the back of some of my Japanese seed packets and the websites were listed. I used the google translation option because everything on these sites is in Japanese. Here is a list of the ones I was able to find so far. Some had a google translation option when they came up in my search, which is included in the weblink under each company name. You will have to move your mouse over the different areas on the web pages to get the translation bubble. If anyone knows of a good translation program other than google, please let us know!

Sakata Seed Company - www.sakataseed.co.jp
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sakataseed.co.jp%2F

Atariya Seed Company - www.atariya.net
http://www.atariya.net/

Tohoku Seed Company - www.tohokuseed.co.jp
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.tohokuseed.co.jp/&ei=EN-6SrbFMouCtgf_iomcDQ&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtohokuseed.co.jp%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GFRD

Takii Seed Company - www.takii.co.jp
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.takii.co.jp/&ei=jt-6SrvnNISHtgeU_pWlDQ&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtakii.co.jp%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GFRD

I don't believe the JMG seeds are listed yet on these websites. I think Jon inquired and they told him the end of this year or early 2010 will show the listings and names of the JMG vines available. Whether or not it is possible to order directly from Japan, I do not know. But I thought it would be fun to see what they have and also get some names for some of our NOID vines that may have come from Japan. Enjoy!

This message was edited Sep 23, 2009 11:16 PM

Thanks for these links Becky. I'll check them out tomorrow.

If you download the google task bar there is a translate button that will do the whole page. I sometimes use this http://babelfish.yahoo.com/

Google Toolbar does help translate the websites! Go here to download Google Toolbar to your internet explorer or whatever you are using:

http://www.google.com/intl/en/toolbar/ie/#tbbrand=GZEF&utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-et-transpg&utm_medium=et

Ronnie - Thanks for the heads-up on the Google "Tool" bar! Thanks also ... for mentioning Babelfish! I will check that out as well.

Has anyone ordered directly from any of the Japanese websites for seed packets? If so, I would love to hear your experience and any suggestions about ordering from any of the Japan seed companies.

Okay! This is really cool!!! Most of the MGs are listed under "Asagao Flower Tane (seed)". Asagao means "morning face". :-)

I have found the morning glory seed packs on these Japanese Seed Company websites. You will need the google translation program to read them (which is WAY cool!!!):

https://www0.takii.co.jp/CGI/netshop/catalog/products/list/00001541

http://www.tohokuseed.co.jp/item/flower_a/asagao.html

http://www.atariya.net/index.htm

I couldn't find any JMG seeds listed on the Sakata Seed Company website, so they may not have their JMG list up until later. And many of the rest have pages about growing JMGs, but may not be offering seeds yet, either.

I am just fascinated with those sites! Very, very cool! You will need Google Toolbar to read the pages though. :-)

Edited to add: It appears that most all the sites are NOT selling JMG seeds yet. Probably as Jon said, at the end of this year or early 2010. It's so neat to read about these vines on a Japanese website!

This message was edited Sep 24, 2009 6:43 PM

You know something else I was thinking about ...

I've ordered the Japanese seed packets from Onalee's. Most of the packets have at least 20 seeds in them. Maybe some of us could get together and order several different packets of seeds and split each packet up. I usually just want 5 seeds from a packet. So if 4 people got together and ordered 4 different packets of the Japanese seeds, we could split them all up so that each person got 5 seeds from each packet. It would still be about $12 - $14 per person ... the same price as one cultivar packet ... but we would get 4 different cultivars instead. Just a thought.

I know a lot of folks are interested in the JMGs from Japan. I don't know of any other place online in the USA that sells the JMGs in the original Japanese seed packets. So thought I'd throw that idea out there to everyone. It never hurts to explore our options ...

I would be interested Becky.

I would be interested in going in on a few packs...I do have quite a few of hers now so as long as it's what I don't have I'm game...

Jackie and Ronnie - Cool!

Ronnie - What seeds might you be interested in? I have no idea what you already have tried and what you would still like.

Jackie - What about you? Which seeds catch your eye?

I was looking at Onalee's site again tonight just to see what the selection is. I noticed that now ... all the seed packs only have 8 - 10 seeds per packet. :-( So ... that is coming out to be more than a $1 per seed.

We need to connect up with a Japanese company to see what the prices might be directly from them. I'd sure like to see if it would be possible to order directly.

Becky, the seeds I just bought from her have at least 20 per pack...are you looking at the what's available number? I think that means how many packs she has left. If you email her she can tell you about how many are in a pack too.

I just wrote down a few I am still interested in. What ones do you like?

I've got to go look at her site but I've always wanted the Keryu,spelling?
Mountain Stream, a divine blue. I'll check out some of them tonight.

Ronnie - She has changed her website listings and they are now reflecting a different seed count. She is actually saying on each JMG cultivar how many seeds per pack.

I wonder if she is ordering the smaller packets of seeds from Japan now? Still charging the same price, but you get a lot less seeds. All the packets I've ordered from her before have had 20 - 25 seeds per packet. I think that has changed or her listings are in error.

Jackie - I have Keiryu seeds for you from my grow-out this past summer. Mine were really beautiful too. You could try growing my seeds and if they don't look like the JMG packet, then consider buying them. Just a thought ...

I am wanting a red JMG. There are several listed, but this one is what I think I would like to try:

Akatsuki No Nishiki (But she lists that it only has 8 - 10 seeds per pack). :-( So I don't know if I want to spend that much for just a few seeds.

Becky I see it now on some of them! Yikes...I wonder how she buys them from Japan...? There are so many I like!!

I have one similar to the red one you like if you want some seeds.

becky sent you an email.

Gorgeous red Ronnie.

Ronnie - I would love a few seeds of the beautiful red blooming JMG that you posted a photo of! Thanks for offering! :-) I, too, see many that I would like to try. I am very interested to purchase actual JMGs in the commercial packs, too.

Something that I have noted about the JMG seed packets ... most of their seeds/vines produce rather large blooms and there is a nice variety. Those are two things that attract me to JMGs. And I just like purchasing JMGs in their original packs.

Thanks, Marie! I got your dmail. I think it is a great idea to try to contact the Japanese seed companies to see if it would be possible to purchase seeds directly from them. I have a feeling there will be several folks checking into this idea. :-) We have nothing to lose by trying! :-)

I think I'd like to join in, I'm not brave enough to do it on my own. I do have quite a few from Onalee and she has some real neat ones. I think the average is about 12 seeds but I have gotten 13, 15 and one had as many as 26. I also like the pretty picture envelopes. Would love to get some rare ones.

Here is the Sakata Co. morning glory collection : close to zero !

http://www.sakataseed.co.jp/product/search/result.php?reset=gt

Sakata America :http://www.sakata.com/SearchCatalog.aspx?strSearchText=morning%20glory&strSearchType=Flowers

disappointment!

Dany - Thanks for sharing that link. I would expect that the companies will start selling their seeds again in the Spring or maybe even winter months in 2010. We just have to figure out how to navigate their websites to FIND the JMGs and more importantly ... to correspond with them to see if they will sell to Americans. :-)

Helena - I didn't see any rare ones on the Sakata site. They may just be selling their commercial common cultivars on these sites. But my guess is if you buy a mixed pack, you might get something good! :-)

Hi guys! I'm back from my travels. Most of the seed companies here publish their new catalogues in December.
Ordering directly from them is not going to be easy, even using a web site translator, as it's unlikely they will
ship to private individuals in the U.S. I think the large seed companies have export departments, it may well be
worth writing to them in English to gauge their response. Worth a try.

Jon

I wonder if we got enough folks to go in together on a purchase, if they would sell to us? Do it as a group purchase to order a certain amount for them to sell to us. Just a thought. I will definitely email them and inquire. :-)

Me ,last year I found a French expatriate living in Tokyo .He can bought everything in Japan if you give him the sites.He work for teenagers who want to obtain Mangas, teeshirt, disc etc. ... He takes 20% commission, you pay by PayPal , there any bank charges, but it works !
Here a page or you may be finding an American who does the same job.

Buy in Japan or Buying in Japon on Goolgle :

http://www.google.fr/search?hl=fr&rlz=1B2RNFA_frHU284HU284&q=buy+in+Japan&btnG=Rechercher&meta=
http://www.nippon-export.com/catalog/index.php?language=en

Dany that's super information for everyone! Buying and selling here is strictly not my cup of tea as I have other business interests and no time to become involved.

Jon

Thanks for that info, Dany. Will check into that as well. :-)

Fukukaen Nursery & Bulb Co., Ltd. does not sell to the public. nor do they plan too. they are a wholesaler only.

Thanks Marie! I wonder how many or how much to put in a wholesale order? And I wonder if they would ship to America?

i know as a whole sale buyer you have to have a permit number as my mom in law sells stuff in a shop. she has a wholesale number. but hers is only for the state. i dont know if you need one for over seas buying or not

This message was edited Sep 29, 2009 10:27 PM

i wrote to another company in japan but havent heard anything back. wish i knew japanese( my daughter would love it if i did). might be easier to talk to companies.

I went to our AG. dept. and they told me unless you are buying in large bulk..1000's you don't have to have one....I order in 100's and have no problem...some places want you to buy a photo. certificate...some are 15 bucks and up..(don't have a clue on the spelling of the photo..)