The Shinano River winds 367 kilometers from its source in the mountains of Nagano to Niigata before reaching the Sea of Japan. It is both Japan's longest river and integral to the nation's identity: the fertile river basins in Niigata produce the rice widely considered to be the country's best. This prized rice also becomes prized sake, another well-appreciated cultural icon.

The town of Shirone, not far from the coast where the Shinano River empties into the sea, has the additional blessing of another river, the Nakanokuchi. This rural town sits in between the path of the two rivers in a flat landscape of fields laced by bridges, with mountains rising up to the east. Shirone was annexed by Niigata City a few years ago though it is some distance from the city itself.

Shirone's farmers grow rice, naturally, but they also cultivate fruit trees. Since feudal times, peaches, grapes and nashi - the crisp, thick-skinned Asian pear - have sent roots through the nutrient-rich soil here.

Then came Le Lectier, which has simultaneously absolutely nothing to do with the Japanese national character and everything to do with it.

Le Lectier, pronounced somewhat awkwardly in Japanese as 'ru rekuchu,' is a type of pear originally from France. In Japan, it is known as the queen of pears - the most highly coveted and most expensive variety of a fruit that is already rather expensive.

Never heard of Le Lectier? Don't feel bad; it's not likely that you would have. They're not grown commercially in their native France - or anywhere else for that matter on any sizeable scale. In fact, Le Lectier are really only cultivated in earnest here in Shirone.