The Tohoku region, which consists of Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima, has many charms unique to Tohoku such as ingredients from the fertile land, traditional culture and festivals deeply rooted in the region. How about traveling to Tohoku? It is very important to choose local specialty products ~ LIVE JAPANA invited a Japanese editor whose parents are from Tohoku and who has extensive knowledge of the six northeastern counties to introduce Tohoku souvenirs. Due to work needs or personal travel, I often travel to Northeast China, so I have collected a lot of information on souvenirs!
These biscuits, snacks, and popular famous fruits are easily available at Shinkansen stations and tourist attractions. Each one of them is a good gift or for personal use.
Northeast limited! Well-known brand co-branded souvenirs
1. Coca-Cola 250ml can Michinoku limited edition (Michinoku Coca-Cola co-branded bottle)
Coca-Cola is only sold in Aomori, Iwate, and Akita Kita Tohoku. The set includes five 250ml cans of Coke and a small towel. The bottle design is all the representative festival patterns of Tohoku summer. There are the Nebuta Festival in Aomori Prefecture, the Kanto Festival in Akita Prefecture, and the Morioka Sansabu Festival in Iwate Prefecture.
・Purchase location: Aomori City Cultural Tourism Exchange Facility "Nebuta House WA RASSE (ねぶたの家ワ・ラッセ)" and other places
・Price: 115 yen for a single Coke can, 621 yen for a towel + 5 cans of Coke set
2. Hiju Tohoku Apple (Morinaga Seika)
The Tohoku limited Hiju (ハイチュウ) uses Aomori Prefecture's most famous apple juice. The refreshing flavor and sweetness of the apple spread in the mouth. It is lightweight and does not take up much space in luggage, making it easy to distribute to relatives and friends.
・Purchase location: JR Shin-Aomori Station and other places
・Price: 648 yen for a set of 5 pieces
Recommended souvenirs from Aomori Prefecture
3. Aomori Ruby Fruit Cheesecake (Hatoya Seika)
Aomori Prefecture is rich in apples, and the “Kodama” apple, which has bright red fruits, is the most cultivated variety in Aomori. "Aomori Ruby Fruit Cheesecake (あおもり红玉果実のチーズケーキ)" launched by Hatoya Seika (Hatoya Seika) uses honey-pickled ruby fruit pulp to make cheesecake, and the soft cake is served with sour Sweet pulp with rich flavor.
・Purchase location: A-FACTORY, etc.
・Price: 972 yen for 4 pieces.
4. Aomori Apple Chocolate (Magokoro Farm)
Dried apples produced in Aomori Prefecture are covered in white chocolate. The popular product of Magokoro Farm is "Aomori Apple Chocolate (あおもり林檎ショコラ)". It has a soft and sweet texture with a bit of elasticity. The more you eat it, the more addictive it is. It is completely different from fresh apples. Different feelings.
・Purchase location: A-FACTORY, etc.
・Price: 320 yen per bag
5. Puff biscuit apple pie flavor (Sweets Labo C&Y)
"Sweets Labo C&Y", a popular cake shop in Asahi-machi, Aomori City, sells "Puff Crisp Apple Pie Flavor (シューラスクアップルパイ风)", which bakes the puff pastry filled with apple juice until it becomes crispy and has a great texture. In particular, cinnamon and apples go perfectly together.
・Purchase location: A-FACTORY, etc.
・Price: 200 yen for the small one, 630 yen for the large one
6. Snowball Cookies (Yamashiro Works)
Yamashiro Factory's "Snowball Cookies (スノーボール)" are made from rice flour produced in Aomori Prefecture. They include original flavor, chocolate, Aomori apple, summer limited edition lemon, Aomori black currant, etc., Aomori The apple flavor has the slightest hint of pulp, and is soft and melts in your mouth.
・Purchase location: A-FACTORY, etc.
・Price: Original and chocolate 15 pieces for 525 yen, Aomori apple 15 pieces for 633 yen
Recommended souvenirs from Iwate Prefecture
7. Seagull’s tamagoyaki (SAITO Confectionery)
"Seagull's Tamago" from Saito Confectionery (Saito Confectionery), which has a history of nearly 80 years in Iwate Prefecture, was inspired by the seagulls flying leisurely along the Sanriku coast. It was born in the shape of an egg (egg) and is moist. The yellow filling is stacked with white chocolate cake and has obvious sweetness. Popular flavors include apple, chocolate, and mini SIZE.
・Purchase location: JR Morioka Station, etc.
・Price: 648 yen for 4 pieces
8. Hachimantai Juhyo (Morioka Kagetsudo)
Hachimantai in the northwestern part of Iwate Prefecture is a plateau with an altitude of more than 1,600 meters. In winter, you can see beautiful ice trees. Morioka Kagetsudo's "Hachimantai Juice" is based on shirsu. The cookie is filled with raw marshmallows as soft as snow, and the outer layer is completely covered with chocolate. Available in white, black, and matcha. 3 flavors.
・Purchase location: JR Morioka Station, etc.
・Price: 1,200 yen for 6 pieces
9. Southern Senbei (Iwateya)
Nanbu senbei (南せんべい), which has existed in the southern areas of Iwate and Aomori prefectures since ancient times, is based on flour and has a simple and delicious taste that becomes more and more fragrant the more you bite it. "Iwateya", the representative brand of southern senbei in Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture, uses eggs to make crispy cookies with a sweet taste. There are many varieties to choose from, such as "Pumpkin Senbei (かぼちゃせんべい)" with many pumpkins on it. Seeds, full of aroma.
・Purchase location: JR Morioka Station, Ninohe Station, etc.
・Price: 567 yen for 6 pieces
10. Milk Candy (Koiwai Farm)
Koiwai Farm spans Shizukuishi Town, Iwate-gun, Iwate Prefecture and Takizawa City (Takizawa City), covering an area of about 3,000 hectares. Many cattle have been bred on the vast land. It is proud of the freshness of its milk, and its companions made from fresh milk There are a wide variety of souvenirs, among which one of the best-selling products is "Milk Gummies (Milk Gummies)", which has a rich milky and sweet taste.
・Purchase location: JR Morioka Station, etc.
・Price: 430 yen per box
Recommended souvenirs from Akita Prefecture
11. Meruhen Snow House (Katsutsuki)
Centered in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, the snow house "Igloo (かまくら)" that debuts in winter is impressive, and Katsuki's "Meruhen Snow House (めるへんかまくら)" uses white chocolate to wrap white cakes. Recreate the healing scene of a snow-white igloo. The soft cake is not too sweet and you will eat it up before you know it~
・Purchase location: JR Akita Station, etc.
・Price: 1,307 yen for 8 pieces
12. Mofudora (Oyue Hall)
Speaking of Akita, the first thing that comes to mind is the Akita Inu, a large Japanese dog. There are many local products modeled after the cute Akita Inu in the prefecture, such as Ogetsudo’s Japanese Confectionery Dorayaki "Mofudora (もふどら)". A round soft pancake filled with dense red bean filling, a classic and delicious dish.
・Purchase location: JR Akita Station, etc.
・Price: 324 yen per piece
13. Kurata
Kurata (くらた) has "Inuko Biscuits (Inuっこサブレ)" with cute dog silhouettes. Due to the folk custom of Yuzawa City, there is a snow sculpture shrine and snow sculpture "Inuko (Inuっこ is the Akita dialect, referring to a dog)" every winter. During the ceremony, the snow sculpture dog transformed into a dog biscuit with a rich butter aroma.
・Purchase location: JR Akita Station, etc.
・Price: 720 yen for 16 pieces
14. Japanese steamed buns (Fujita Confectionery)
It is held on the Oga Peninsula on New Year's Eve. The gods named Nahaki (Namasaki) visit every local house and tell the children about their parents and the value of food. The amazing appearance of the Namasaki is unforgettable. As for FUJITA Confectionery's "Namahaki Japanese-style Manju (なまはげまんじゅう)", although it looks like a uncooked steamed bun, the contrast between the soft cake and the delicate sweetness of the bean paste is super cute!
・Purchase location: JR Akita Station, etc.
・Price: 432 yen for 6 pieces
Recommended souvenirs from Miyagi Prefecture
15. Hagi's Moon (Sanquan of the Fruit Maker)
The most famous souvenir of Miyagi Prefecture is the "Hagi no Moon" made by Fruitmaker Sanzen. It is inspired by Lespedeza (hagi), a flower that blooms in autumn, and the color in the sky above Miyagi Prefecture. The moons reflect each other. A round cake representing the full moon, filled with custard cream.
・Purchase location: JR Sendai Station, etc.
・Price: Starting from 1,500 yen for 6 pieces
16. Baked Chocolate Cup Cake (Fruit Shop)
For example, the place name of Shiotsu City in Miyagi Prefecture has the word "塩" in it. It is an area prosperous for salt production, and "Shiotsuo Salt (塩嫃の草塩)" is made using the local salt-making method. . Fruit maker Eitaro uses this algae salt to cook "roasted chocolate cup cake (焼ショコラ)". The crispy baked chocolate has a slightly salty taste, which is suitable for adults. .
・Purchase location: JR Sendai Station, etc.
・Price: Starting from 1,122 yen for 9 pieces
17. Sendai Strawberry Cream Sandwich Pancake (Kafang Sanqing)
Kafang Sanqing uses the popular strawberry brand "Sendai Strawberry (Sendai Strawberry)" in Miyagi Prefecture to launch "Sendai Strawberry Cream Sandwich (Sendai Strawberry Cream Sandwich)". The strawberry jam is paired with a cream mixed with white chocolate and cream. The top and bottom are 100% pure cream biscuits, the perfect combination of thick strawberry jam flavor and cream! In addition to the classic sandwich pancake, there are also 2 types of PREMIUM using rare green cocoa.
・Purchase location: JR Sendai Station, etc.
・Price: Classic sandwich pancake 216 yen per piece, PREMIUM sandwich pancake 259 yen per piece
18. Japanese steamed buns with edamame puree (Ganxiantang)
"Edamame puree (ずんだ)" made by crushing edamame or fava beans has a gentle sweetness and is a famous local dish in Miyagi Prefecture. It is also used to make desserts and Japanese steamed buns. Kansendo's "Japanese-style steamed buns with edamame paste (ずんだmanju)" retains the grainy texture and original aroma of edamame.
・Purchase location: JR Sendai Station, etc.
・Price: 378 yen for 3 pieces
Recommended souvenirs from Yamagata Prefecture
19. OSHIDORI MILK CAKE (Made in Japan)
A snack that has been loved by the people of Yamagata Prefecture for many years, the Japanese dairy product "OSHIDORI MILK CAKE (おしどりミルクケーキ)" is perfect for gifts. The sweetened condensed milk is pressed into long flat strips. These milk biscuits are rich in protein and calcium. Each piece is super refreshing. The flavors include cherry, grape, pear and other fruits that are abundant in Yamagata.
・Purchase location: JR Yamagata Station, etc.
・Price: 216 yen per bag
20. Yamagata Cherry Popcorn (Nagataya)
Yamagata Prefecture ranks first in Japan in terms of cherry production, and there are many cherry-flavored souvenirs. Nagatoya's "Yamagata Cherry Popcorn (Yamagata Cherry Popcorn)" uses the juice of the representative cherry variety Sato Nishiki, and is wrapped in it. Pop the popcorn and enjoy the sweet and sour taste of cherries.
・Purchase location: JR Yamagata Station, etc.
・Price: 580 yen per box
21. Cherry milk candy (Sakuma Confectionery)
Sakuma Confectionery, which is famous for its fruit candy jars and candies, sells Yamagata Prefecture-limited "Cherry Milk Candy (さくらんぼみるく)". Cherry and milk-flavored candies are layered on top of each other, like a mille-feuille pie. The feeling is that when you bite into it, the cherry and milk mix in your mouth.
・Purchase location: JR Yamagata Station, etc.
・Price: 350 yen per bag
22. PARIPARI×SAKUSAKU (Sakata rice crackers)
Sakada Rice Crackers, which has been in business for 70 years in Yonego Yamagata, originally started by making senbei rice crackers. Now it has a very popular pancake series "PARIPARI×SAKUSAKU" with cute packaging and multiple flavors, such as plum perilla, wasabi, Black sesame and other materials. In addition, the packaging depicts the Hanagasa used in the summer Hanagasa festival, and the Dondon-yaki flavor (どんどん焼きflavor), a soul dish of the Yamagata people, is mixed with sausage, nori, and flour and baked, and the pancake is full of aroma.
・Purchase location: JR Yamagata Station, etc.
・Price: 540 yen per bag
Recommended souvenirs from Fukushima Prefecture
23. Mamadoru (30,000 koku)
The famous baked confection "Mamadoru (ままどおる)" from Koriyama City Confectionery Co., Ltd.'s Sanmanshi (Sanmanshi). The milky bean filling is wrapped in a moist butter crust and then grilled. The soft bean filling is mild and smooth, and is suitable for enjoying with black tea or Japanese tea.
・Price: 540 yen for 5 pieces
24. Aizu Tenjin-like (Tarōan)
Aizu Wakamatsu City's native toy "Aizu Tenjin (Aizu Tenjin)" papier-mâché dolls. In order to pass on this culture, Taroan launched the "Aizu Tenjin-like (Aizu no Tenjin さま)" cake, a soft and delicate cake with added sugar in the middle. In addition to the cream filling with fresh cream and regular cheese flavors, there are seasonal limited flavors such as strawberry milk from January to April and summer mandarin from June to August.
・Price: 1,019 yen for 5 pieces
25. Fukushima Peach (Koriyama Meishong)
Fukushima is known as the Kingdom of Fruits. The rich flavor of the peaches produced here is its biggest feature. Unfortunately, fresh peaches cannot be brought home, so buy the "Fukushima Peach (Fukushima Peach)" from Koriyama Meishong instead! The small cardboard box is filled with peach-shaped Japanese steamed buns, and the white bean paste filling with peach jam is very refreshing.
・Price: 713 yen for 6 pieces
26. Cheese King Coffee Oatmeal Cake (Cheow King Collaboration Dairy)
The "Kasou Coffee Oatmeal (Kasou Kabuto)" produced by Motomiya City Kasumi Dairy Co., Ltd. is very popular among the people of Fukushima Prefecture. The same series of "Kasou Kafe Oatmeal Oatcakes (Kasou Kabuto)" caused quite a stir as soon as it was released. Topic: Inside the cute milk carton are individually wrapped biscuits. The oatmeal cakes have a rich milk flavor and are easy to take with you.
・Price: 324 yen for 5 pieces
The above introduction to souvenirs from various parts of Northeast China is quite enjoyable, isn’t it? Each model symbolizes the respective culture and local characteristics of the six northeastern prefectures of Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima. When traveling to Tohoku, remember to check out souvenir shops around the country to see if there are any of these cute and cute gifts. Delicious snack bar!
※This article is based on information in July 2023. Please check the official website for the latest news.
Ran Tanaka
A writer based in Southeast Asia. Cheap beer is my Ikigai (meaning of life)
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