VegetableRadish
Wakayama White Radish
Wakayama White Radish is a Japanese heirloom daikon that transforms late-summer gardens into winter harvests of impressive, crisp roots. Originating from Japan's Wakayama Prefecture, these radishes grow large, reaching 12 to 14 inches long with a consistent 2-inch diameter, yet maintain a wonderfully crisp texture that makes them stand out from smaller spring varieties. Hardy across zones 3 to 10 and ready to harvest in 60 to 69 days, they thrive when planted in late summer for a winter crop. Their pure white color and reliable performance have earned them a place in serious gardeners' rotations.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Loose, Fertile Loam
Growth Stats
12 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
4
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-10
Size
12in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
These Japanese heirlooms grow substantially larger than typical radishes, developing long, elegant white roots with a firm, satisfying crunch. The key to success lies in timing: plant them in late summer to early fall and let cool weather do the work, bringing out their best texture and flavor. Gardeners often report that Wakayama White radishes deliver the kind of consistent, impressive harvests that spark envy among fellow growers.
Common Uses
Wakayama White Radish is primarily used as a culinary vegetable in fresh and cooked preparations. The large, crisp roots are excellent sliced raw in salads, pickled for preservation, or cooked in soups and stews. Their firm texture holds up well to cooking, making them versatile across both traditional Japanese dishes and contemporary vegetable cuisine.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow in late summer to early fall for a winter harvest. Plant seeds directly into garden soil in full sun.
Harvesting
Wakayama White Radishes are ready to harvest 60 to 69 days after planting. Pull roots when they reach mature size, typically 12 to 14 inches long with a 2-inch diameter, or earlier if you prefer smaller roots. The white color makes them easy to spot as they develop near the soil surface. Harvest before hard freezes in regions at the colder end of the hardiness range, or allow them to mature into early winter for the fullest flavor development.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Raphanus sativus
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Raphanus
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)PR (I)CAN (I)GL (I)
History & Origin
“Wakayama White Radish comes directly from the Wakayama Prefecture in Japan, a region with a long tradition of radish cultivation. This heirloom variety preserves that regional expertise, passed down through generations of Japanese gardeners who refined it for cool-season growing and storage. The variety's journey to Western seed catalogs represents a wider effort to preserve and celebrate heirloom crops from Asia, connecting contemporary gardeners to the agricultural heritage of specific Japanese regions.”