Established in 1871 by the last chief cook of Odawara castle,CHINRIU HONTEN has almost 150 years of experience with products made of Ume plum, red Shiso and edible Sakura cherry blossoms. In Japan, the CHINRIU brand is well known for the quality of its products, which are sold in own shops as well as major department stores and premium super markets. Producer of High Quality Umeboshi Umeboshi are a traditional Japanese pickles known since centuries for their health benefits. The natural citric acid that occurs during the long pickling is known for its alkalinizing effect on the body, neutralizing fatigue, stimulating the digestion, and promoting the elimination of toxins. One Umeboshi per day is said to be the one of the best preventive natural medicines available. Products made of Red Shiso Red Shiso is a traditional Japanese ingredient also known as "Beefsteak leaves" or "Red Perilla" in the West. It is usually preserved in salt and has an intense flavor that resembles anise. In Japan the use of Red Shiso dates back hundreds of years and it is regarded as one of Japan's seven essential spices. Traditionally Red Shiso is preserved using salt. Sakura Cherry Blossoms Chinriu Honten is located in Odawara, a city that accounts for about 80% of Japan's production of salt pickled sakura cherry blossoms. Pickled cherry blossoms for professional use are harvested from the Yaezakura tree, which does not carry fruits and is famous for growing very large cherry blossoms.