Is Tofu the Solution to Picky Eating and Irregular Appetites? “Otorotofu” Is Gaining Popularity, Especially Among Parents Sales of Shonan Tofu Have Increased 5.3 Times Compared to the Same Period Last Year

Yashima Foods Co., Ltd. (President: Isao Takahashi; Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture;Manufacturing Plant: Fujisawa City), offers the Shonan Tofu Series, including “Just Like Ootoro Rich Tofu” (hereinafter “Ootoro Tofu”), which uses a proprietary manufacturing process to minimize the off-flavors of soybeans and achieve a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

“Otorō Tofu” has gained popularity for its smooth texture and approachable flavor, leading to increased purchases, particularly among families with young children. Sales of the Shonan Tofu series from July to September 2026 grew 5.3 times compared to the same period last year (September figures are estimates as of the 25th).

Sales figures for the Shonan Tofu series, centered on “Otorō Tofu”

[About 80% of Parents Struggle with Their Children’s Meals]

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s “Heisei 27 Infant and Toddler Nutrition Survey,” approximately 80 percent of parents of children aged 2 to under 6 reported facing some kind of difficulty regarding their children’s meals.Issues cited included picky eating (28.5–32.9%) and inconsistent eating habits (18.6–33.4%); the survey also indicated that many parents of children aged 0 to 2 feel burdened by the task of preparing weaning foods.

Source: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, “Heisei 27 Infant and Toddler Nutrition Survey”

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000134208.html

[Sales of Shonan Tofu, Popular Among Parents Raising Young Children, Are 5.3 Times Higher Than the Same Period Last Year]

Against this backdrop, the Shonan Tofu series—including “Otorotofu”—has been praised for its sweet, smooth texture achieved through a unique manufacturing process that removes the soybean skins. As a result, sales from July to September of Heisei 26 increased 5.3 times compared to the same period the previous year.People in their 20s through 40s account for approximately 63% of Shonan Tofu’s Instagram followers, and the brand has garnered particularly strong support from families with young children.

Customers have shared comments such as: “My child, who usually dislikes regular tofu, kept asking for more and more of the Ootoro Tofu,” “It’s easy to eat with a spoon and can be served right at the table, which is a huge help,” and “The whole family loves it, so we always keep Ootoro Tofu in the fridge.”

[The secret to Otoro Tofu’s flavor lies in “freshly hulled” “domestic Shirome soybeans”]

Shonan Tofu’s “Marude Otoro Rich Tofu” is made from 100% domestically produced Shirome soybeans. While regular tofu is made by pressing soybeans with their skins still on to extract soy milk, Shonan Tofu employs a unique production method in which the soybean skins are removed immediately before pressing, allowing soy milk to be made from freshly hulled soybeans.

Shonan Tofu’s signature product, “O-toro Tofu”

By removing the skins—which contain the soybeans’ astringency—and carefully adjusting the ratio of mineral-rich nigari, we bring out the natural sweetness and richness of the soybeans while minimizing any off-flavors to create a smooth, velvety texture. It’s not only delicious served as cold tofu but can also be used in a wide variety of dishes, such as shiraae (tofu with white sauce), soups, and tofu gratin.

Furthermore, we produce our products without using defoamers or emulsifiers, prioritizing the natural flavor of the ingredients. As a tofu that is easy for everyone to enjoy—from young children to seniors—it is a staple on dining tables across the country.

[From the Kanto Region to Nationwide: Sales Channels Expanded to the Tokai, Kansai, and Hokuriku Regions in Just Over a Year]

A survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare indicates that many parents face various challenges regarding their children’s diets. To provide product options that are easy to incorporate into home meals and enjoyable for people of all ages, Yashima Foods is expanding the sales channels for “Otorotofu.”After launching sales in the Kanto region in the spring of 25, the company expanded into the Tokai region in the spring of 26 and began sales in the Kansai and Hokuriku regions in the summer of 26. Going forward, the company plans to expand its sales channels from Tohoku and Hokkaido to the Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa regions.

October 2 is “Tofu Day.”

For more detailed information regarding this matter, we welcome inquiries from the media at any time. We are available for interviews regarding the background of our product development and manufacturing processes, as well as to arrange product tastings, so please feel free to contact us.

[Company Profile]

Name: Yashima Foods Co., Ltd.

Address: 6-212 Tobe-cho, Nishi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture 220-0042

Manufacturing Plant: 2005-18 Endo, Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture 252-0816

Representative: Isao Takahashi, Representative Director

Founded: 1923 (Incorporated: 1959)

Website: https://shonantofu.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shonan_tofu/

[Media Inquiries and Contact Information]

Contact: Takahashi

Phone: 0466-88-0012

Email: pr@yashimafoods.co.jp