A new gift brand called RINGO IÉ (リンゴイエ) has launched, bringing premium apple products from Yamagata Prefecture to a wider audience. The brand's first release is a limited-edition apple juice collection featuring two varieties of apples grown in the Wagodaira district of Asahi Town — one of Japan's most celebrated apple-growing regions.
The Brand's Vision
RINGO IÉ was founded with the idea of bringing the overlooked richness of Japan's regional landscapes to more people. During visits to various parts of the country, the team behind the brand came across an apple orchard that embodied what they were looking for — dedicated farmers carefully nurturing the land, its produce, and the craftsmanship tied to a specific place. That encounter became the starting point for RINGO IÉ, a brand focused on curating the gifts that only a particular region can offer.
First Release: Limited-Edition Apple Juice Collection 2026
The 2026 first release features two apple varieties grown in the Wagodaira area of Asahi Town, Yamagata Prefecture: Fuji and ShinanoGold. Both are offered in limited quantities as 180ml bottles of additive-free, straight-pressed juice.
Premium Ingredients: The Wagodaira Apple-Growing Region
Asahi Town is historically significant in the world of Japanese apple cultivation — it is the birthplace of the bagged-free Fuji apple (Sun Fuji), a variety that has traded at some of the highest prices in the country. Within Asahi Town, the Wagodaira (和合平) district, situated at an elevation of approximately 250 meters, is recognized as its finest apple-producing zone.
The town itself is nestled in the central part of Yamagata Prefecture, at the foot of the Bandai-Asahi National Park, with the Asahi Mountain Range to the west, the Zao Mountain Range to the east, and the Gassan Hills to the north. The Mogami River flows gently through this mountain-encircled basin. In Wagodaira, significant day-to-night temperature variations combined with clay-rich soil allow apples to develop their sweetness and aroma slowly, resulting in deeply flavorful fruit. The apple juice in this collection is made from apples grown under these conditions.
Product Lineup
Apple Juice Fuji 180ml
Made from 100% bagged-free Fuji (Sun Fuji) apples grown in Wagodaira, Asahi Town, Yamagata. Additive-free, straight-pressed juice in a 180ml bottle.
The juice has a clear golden color and delivers the natural, gentle sweetness and clean acidity characteristic of sun-ripened apples.
Apple Juice ShinanoGold 180ml
Made from 100% ShinanoGold apples grown in Wagodaira, Asahi Town, Yamagata. Additive-free, straight-pressed juice in a 180ml bottle.
The vibrant golden juice balances refreshing acidity with a clean sweetness, offering a light and crisp drinking experience.
Fuji / ShinanoGold 500ml
A 500ml version is planned exclusively as a Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) return gift for Asahi Town in 2026.
Gift Sets
RINGO IÉ's apple juice is also available as a gift set, packaged in an original gift box designed to be given directly as a present.
RINGO IÉ Apple Juice Gift Set (180ml x 5 bottles)
- Fuji (ふじ) 180ml x 3 bottles
- ShinanoGold (シナノゴールド) 180ml x 2 bottles
- Original gift box included
Furusato Nozei (Hometown Tax Donation)
RINGO IÉ products are also listed as return gifts for Asahi Town, Yamagata Prefecture's Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation) program. Contributions collected through the program are directed toward supporting the vitality of the producing region — a cycle that RINGO IÉ sees as central to its mission of working with local producers to bring regional value to more people.
Furusato Nozei information: https://ringoie.com/furusato
Official Website: https://ringoie.com/
Official Instagram: @ringoie.official
