"Yamagata" is known as the "fruit kingdom." There are many souvenirs made with various fruits such as cherries and La France pears. With abundant local dishes and alcoholic beverages as souvenirs, many people may find it difficult to choose.

In this article, we will pick recommended souvenirs from Yamagata by genre. We will introduce not only sweets and desserts but also雑貨 and alcoholic beverages. If you are having trouble choosing souvenirs, please refer to this article.

 

Where to buy souvenirs in Yamagata?

If you're traveling by car, "Gut Yamagata" is recommended. It's a facility established to welcome tourists visiting Yamagata. It has a large parking lot, making it perfect for those using a car. The souvenir shop offers about 4,000 items, including famous local products, specialties, and sake from Yamagata Prefecture.

If you're using the train, check out "S-PAL Yamagata" at Yamagata Station. You can buy a variety of souvenirs, such as sweets, desserts, and famous Yamagata confections.

Yamagata Souvenir Recommendation Ranking | Popular, Classic, Famous

No. 1 Noshiume Honpo Satoya Noshiume

This sweet souvenir has a sour taste and a long shelf life. It uses ripe plums from the Murayama region of Yamagata Prefecture. After simmering them with sugar, agar, and starch syrup, the mixture is poured into a wooden frame with glass and dried for about two days, a traditional method done by hand.

It is a venerable product that was originally made as a restorative in the Edo period. In addition to eating it as is, it can also be used on cheese or as a garnish for dishes. It comes in packs of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 pieces. This Yamagata souvenir is recommended for those who want to enjoy the pleasant sourness of plums.

No. 2 Sagaeya Yamitsuki Shimikarisen

This rice cracker souvenir offers a deeply sweet and savory flavor that's highly addictive. It's finished with a rich flavor that fully utilizes the taste of rice. It uses an original rich sauce based on honjozo premium soy sauce from a long-established soy sauce maker. You can taste the umami of bonito and kelp, and a light sweetness.

Yamagata-produced rice is soaked in water, and the coarsely ground dough is baked using a special method, then dried over time. To ensure a consistent finish, it is made by hand using traditional methods. Each bag contains 145g. The shelf life is 1 month at room temperature. These popular rice crackers from Yamagata are highly recommended as souvenirs.

No. 3 New Tech Shinsei MokuLock

This souvenir is a block toy made from domestic wood. The raw materials are various woods such as cherry, hornbeam, zelkova, and maple. Its charm lies in the ability to enjoy the differences between each wood through its texture and appearance.

It offers various sizes, including a standard size that can be played by both children and adults, a large size that is one size larger than the standard, and a half size that is half the size of the standard. There's also an option to engrave names on the blocks, making it perfect for gifts.

The company behind MokuLock has created "MokuLock no Mori" (MokuLock Forest) in Nanyo City, Yamagata Prefecture, and is engaged in tree-planting activities. They also conduct activities to return used MokuLock to the forest. Their tree-planting activities and development of products using local timber have been recognized, and they received the Yamagata Prefecture Governor's Award for Environmental Conservation Promotion in 2017.

It can be purchased at "Michi-no-Eki Yonezawa" and "Shobido S-PAL Yamagata Store" in Yamagata Prefecture, among others. This souvenir is recommended for those looking for Yamagata雑貨 that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

No. 4 Tokiwa Yonezawa Beef Curry Set

This curry, perfect as a souvenir, uses Yonezawa beef raised in the Yonezawa basin of Yamagata. Yonezawa beef is known for its fine marbling and excellent fat. It is sometimes called the "phantom beef" due to its limited availability in the market.

The curry generously uses tender Yonezawa beef. The roux, a blend of dozens of spices simmered for a long time, brings out the natural umami of Yonezawa beef. It features the deep richness characteristic of high-quality meat. The sweetness of fruits and vegetables is melted into it, creating a fragrant flavor.

The set includes three types: mild, medium-hot, and hot. Each bag contains 200g. The shelf life is 2 years from the manufacturing date when stored at room temperature. This is suitable for those looking for a souvenir that allows them to taste Yonezawa beef, a brand of beef produced in Yamagata.

No. 5 Usami Senbei-ten Karakarisenbei

This is a classic souvenir, a traditional sweet from the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture. Its characteristic feature is that it contains folk toys or small items inside the cracker. When you shake the cracker, the toys inside make a "karakara" sound, hence the name "Karakara Senbei."

The ingredients are simple: wheat flour, brown sugar, and white sugar. The brown sugar used is 100% from Yonaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture, which is said to be highly nutritious and rich in minerals. The flavor of brown sugar spreads in the mouth, and you can enjoy a rustic taste reminiscent of old times.

There are over 150 types of folk toys inside the crackers. Most of these folk toys are handmade.

The shelf life is 8 months from the manufacturing date. It comes in quantities of 1, 6, 10, 20, and 30 pieces. It can be purchased not only at stores in Tsuruoka City but also at souvenir shops, stations, and roadside stations in the prefecture. If you are looking for a traditional Japanese sweet souvenir from Yamagata, be sure to check this out.

No. 6 Kiyokawaya Dadappai

This is a pie souvenir made with "Dadacha-mame" (Dadacha beans), a specialty of Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. It uses Dadacha-mame grown in their own farm in Tsuruoka City. The Dadacha bean paste, which boasts the distinctive aroma of Dadacha-mame, is baked inside a moist pie crust made with 100% fresh butter.

Its charm lies in its modest sweetness and small size. With a light texture, it's a new kind of Japanese-style pie. Since these sweets are individually wrapped, they are perfect for distributing as souvenirs at work or school.

The shelf life is 17 days. It comes in quantities of 5, 10, and 15 pieces. It can be purchased at stores at Yamagata Airport, Shonai Airport, and Tsuruoka Interchange, among others. This souvenir is recommended for those looking for Japanese-style sweets that can be bought in Yamagata.

No. 7 Choeido Fukimame

This Yamagata confectionery souvenir features green peas slowly simmered until tender. The peels are carefully removed, and no artificial coloring is used. Its characteristic is that it makes the most of the unique flavor of green peas. You can enjoy its fluffy texture and gentle sweetness.

The shelf life is 14 days refrigerated and about 2 months frozen. This product received the Honorary Presidential Award at the 24th National Confectionery Exposition. Since it's vacuum-packed, it's suitable for those who want to choose a souvenir with a long shelf life.

No. 8 Kato Bussan Zao Meika Juhyo Roman

This is a sweet souvenir named after the "Juhyo" (frost-covered trees), a winter landscape of Zao. It features white cream generously sandwiched between crispy wafers. The key is its gentle sweetness. It goes well not only with tea but also with black tea and coffee.

It comes in packs of 10, 16, 24, and 120 pieces. There's also a bite-sized 18-piece pack. The shelf life is 150 days from the manufacturing date. It won the gold prize at the 1st Prefectural Specialty Product Exhibition. This souvenir is recommended for those looking for a Yamagata souvenir that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

No. 9 Nihon Nyugyo Oshidori Milk Cake Milk

This milk confectionery souvenir allows you to enjoy the taste of milk. It condenses the deliciousness of raw milk into a single stick, allowing you to fully enjoy the rich, milky flavor and aroma. The key is that it contains plenty of milk-derived protein and calcium. It's perfect not only as a snack but also as a portable meal for outdoor activities and hiking.

It comes in a pack of 8 pieces. The shelf life is 300 days. In addition to milk, it offers various flavors such as grape, strawberry, cherry, and coffee. If you want to buy a representative Yamagata sweet as a souvenir, check this out.

Yamagata Souvenir Recommendation Ranking | Sweets and Desserts

No. 1 Kikuchi Kasho Sakata Musume

This is a sweet souvenir with bean paste wrapped in a long, thin dough. The dough has a soft, buttery flavor. For the bean paste, in addition to red bean paste (koshian) simmered for a long time, there are three types: roasted sweet potato paste and coffee bean paste.

It's a product suitable as a souvenir for loved ones, offering a nostalgic taste of home. It comes in packs of 6, 12, 20, and 26 pieces. This Yamagata souvenir is recommended for those who want to taste Sakata's unique confections.

No. 2 Kimura-ya Kokyo

 

This is a sweet souvenir shaped like an ancient mirror (kokyo) excavated from Kagami-ike (Mirror Pond) on Mt. Haguro, one of the Three Mountains of Dewa. It uses bean paste that has been carefully cooked for 130 years since the company's founding, bringing out the flavor of adzuki beans while achieving an elegant and refreshing taste. It is wrapped in gyuhi mochi, which is made soft using carefully selected mochi rice and sugar with a unique manufacturing method.

The surface has a pleasant crunchy texture, and the inside is soft, making it a product that highlights the flavor of the bean paste. It comes in 8 types, including 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 pieces. This Yamagata souvenir is recommended for those who want a Japanese sweet that pairs well with tea.

No. 3 Cybele Rusk France

 

This is a sweet souvenir made from French bread baked specifically for rusk. It uses domestically milled and specially blended flour, as well as French-made dry yeast, Akō natural salt, and Yamagata water. French bread dough is made by controlling the fermentation according to daily temperature and humidity.

Since the dough is baked without a mold, it's a point that the shapes are irregular and have small holes. This is proof of delicious French bread, and it results in a pleasant texture that melts in your mouth. This rusk is made by slicing the bread into 1 cm thick pieces, topping them with butter made from Hokkaido milk and high-purity granulated sugar, and then baking them twice over time.

The harmony of the wheat's flavor, the butter's aroma, and the granulated sugar's sweetness. Since it's individually wrapped in two pieces, it's suitable not only for light meals and snacks but also for sharing with children and friends. The content is 6 bags, and the shelf life is 60 days at room temperature. This Yamagata souvenir is recommended for those who want to eat sweet Western confectionery.

No. 4 Jindanhonpo Oye Ganso Jindan Manju

This is a manju (steamed bun) souvenir made with Dadacha-mame bean paste. Dadacha-mame refers to edamame from Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture. Using only Yamagata-produced soybeans, Dadacha-mame, sugar, and salt, they have developed a unique method to create a bean paste that is not too sweet, yet rich and flavorful, with an elegant taste.

The bean paste is wrapped in a thin skin, creating a beautiful fukibuki (snowstorm) pattern. Although it is usually delivered frozen, it can be easily enjoyed by simply thawing it naturally. It comes in 6 types: 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, and 30 pieces. This Yamagata souvenir is recommended for those who want to enjoy sweets made from edamame.

No. 5 Pandora Mogamigawa Awayuki

This is a sweet souvenir that combines the flavors of Japanese and Western confectionery. It features bean paste and high-quality fresh cream gently wrapped in a meringue sponge cake. It is finished with an elegant flavor, balancing the sweetness of the bean paste and the soft texture of the cake.

There are three types: "Anko" made with skinned bean paste from Hokkaido, "Zunda" made with edamame unique to Tohoku, and "Waguri to Wasanbon" made with carefully selected domestic chestnuts. Another appealing point is that each piece is limited to 85 calories.

While products come in packs of 8, 12, 16, and 20 pieces, only the 12-piece pack contains all three types of bean paste. The shelf life is 1 month frozen and 4 days refrigerated. This Yamagata souvenir is recommended for those who want healthy sweets.

No. 6 Kimura-ya Dadacha Mameemon Dadacha Mame Dacquoise

This souvenir is a dacquoise made with Dadacha beans. The rich aroma and flavor of Dadacha beans spread through your mouth. The key is that the beans are processed into powder using a room-temperature drying method to preserve their unique deliciousness. Each dacquoise contains 12 pods of Dadacha beans.

The package contains 6 pieces. The product has a shelf life of about 20 days. Another attractive feature is the cute box designed to resemble Dadacha beans. Each piece is individually wrapped, making it suitable for sharing. This souvenir is recommended for those who love edamame.

7th Place: Sakata Beika Oranda Senbei

This souvenir is a rice cracker made from 100% domestic rice. It is characterized by being baked to an ultra-thin 3mm. It has a light, savory, salad-like flavor. The deliciousness of the rice and the pleasant crunchy texture are appealing. It's a snack that can be enjoyed by all ages, from children to adults.

This product has been loved in Tohoku since its launch in 1962. It has received the Honorary President's Award at the National Confectionery Exposition. The shelf life is 180 days. This is recommended for those who want to buy a well-known snack from Yamagata.

8th Place: Kiyokawaya White Pari Roll

This souvenir is a roll cake filled with plenty of cream. Its pure white, beautiful appearance is eye-catching. It features a good match between the elastic sponge cake and the milky fresh cream. The cream has a refreshing aftertaste, making it an easy-to-eat flavor that is not too rich.

The length of one roll is approximately 14 cm. The shelf life is 25 days when frozen. If you are interested in popular sweets that have been featured in many media, please check this out.

9th Place: Katoh Bussan Yamagata Cherry Kirara

This souvenir is a jelly containing cherries from Yamagata Prefecture. Fresh cherries are whole-pickled in syrup. It is recommended to chill it in the refrigerator for about 1 to 2 hours before eating. You can enjoy its plump texture. Its charm lies in its bite-sized portions with a moderate sweetness, making it easy to eat.

The content is 12 pieces per box. The shelf life is 180 days from the manufacturing date. This is suitable for those who want a souvenir that conveys the atmosphere of Yamagata.

Yamagata Souvenir Recommendations: Other than Sweets (Meal Accompaniments, Side Dishes, Snacks)

1st Place: Maruhara Koiya Carp no Amakarani (Sweet and Savory Simmered Carp)

This souvenir is a local dish that has been passed down for generations in Yamagata Prefecture. It's a product where carp is cut into rounds and simmered in a sweet and savory sauce made with sake, soy sauce, and sugar. Carp was once considered a luxury item, and even today in Yamagata, it is often served at celebrations such as weddings.

The process involves immediately slicing the freshly caught carp, draining its blood and fat, then adding a special sauce that has been continuously replenished for years, light soy sauce, and dashi. Furthermore, a uniquely blended sugar is added, and it's simmered while skimming off any impurities. It has a pleasant texture and a clean taste. The sweetness of the sauce makes it a perfect accompaniment for rice or an alcoholic beverage.

It received the Osaka Prefectural Governor's Award at the "National Processed Marine Product Food Exhibition." It's available in various sizes, from 1 to 10 slices, so you can choose based on how often you plan to eat it. The shelf life is 60 days at room temperature. This Yamagata souvenir is recommended for those who want food that pairs well with alcohol.

2nd Place: Miokua Bangiku

This souvenir is a pickled product made from chrysanthemums and various vegetables. It uses fragrant chrysanthemum flowers that bloom in late autumn, along with 10 kinds of wild vegetables and vegetables harvested in Yamagata from spring to autumn. After being salt-pickled and aged for one year, they are pickled using a unique method that emphasizes the natural taste of the ingredients.

It features a flavor born from long-term aging, with plum vinegar and shochu added to enhance the taste. The faint scent of alcohol pairs perfectly with freshly cooked rice. The shelf life is 180 days at room temperature. This Yamagata souvenir is recommended for those who want pickles with a natural flavor.

3rd Place: Ryushanhai Akayu Karamiso Ramen

This souvenir is a ramen dish made with chili peppers from Akayu, Yamagata Prefecture. It is a commercialized version of a particularly popular menu item from a ramen shop with branches throughout Yamagata Prefecture. It comes as a set including noodles, soup, and spicy miso.

The noodles are thick, curly noodles with an elastic texture that easily entwines with the soup. The rich, cloudy soup, made from dozens of ingredients, is designed to pair well with the spicy miso. Adding the secret spicy miso, infused with garlic, amplifies the flavor. A welcome feature is that the amount can be adjusted as it is served separately.

It's a flavor that becomes addictive once you try it. The package contains 3 servings of 140g noodles, 80g soup, and 12g spicy miso. This souvenir is recommended for those who want to try popular ramen from Yamagata Prefecture.

4th Place: Tanno Konnyaku Easy Tamakonnyaku

This souvenir is tamakonnyaku, a soul food of Yamagata residents. It is made by a manufacturer headquartered in Kaminoyama City, Yamagata Prefecture. The highlight is the included sauce. It's a secret soy sauce exclusively for tamakonnyaku, developed in collaboration with the original Tanno Shoyu store. Delicious, authentic tamakonnyaku can be prepared by simply putting the tamakonnyaku and sauce in a pot and simmering for 5 to 6 minutes.

It is perfect as a side dish or a snack with drinks. Eating it with mustard is also recommended. If you want to choose a popular Yamagata food as a souvenir, check this out.

5th Place: Gotoya Cherry Curry

 

This is a pink-colored curry made with cherries from Yamagata Prefecture. The roux, simmered over a long period, is characterized by its concentrated umami. It has a mild taste with a slightly sweet and spicy finish. The cherry fruit pieces are also a highlight.

The shelf life is 730 days at room temperature. It keeps well, so it's useful even if you can't give the souvenir immediately. This is recommended for those looking for a perfect souvenir as a small gift.

6th Place: Task Foods Miyasakaya Yamagata Imoni with Domestic Beef Tendon

 

This souvenir allows you to enjoy Yamagata's local dish, "Imoni." Centered around taro, it also contains beef tendon, green onions, maitake mushrooms, and konnyaku. A key point is that all ingredients used are domestically sourced. It is finished with a rich soy-sauce-based soup using miso and soy sauce from Yamagata Prefecture.

The content is 250g per serving. The shelf life is 365 days at room temperature. Its appeal is that it can be eaten by simply heating it in the microwave in its pouch. It has been featured in many media. This is recommended for those who want to choose a unique Yamagata food as a souvenir.

7th Place: Hanzawa Keiran Soft-Boiled Smoked Egg "Smocchi"

This souvenir is a soft-boiled smoked egg seasoned with salt. It is characterized by its plump whites and runny yolks. It is carefully made over a week without cutting corners. The smoking chips used are a blend of cherry wood chips and Yamagata Prefecture-grown cherry wood chips. After being smoked in a smoker, they are slowly aged for three days.

The key is that it is seasoned with "Isoshio," a mineral-rich salt from Nagasaki Prefecture. The exquisite saltiness enhances the deliciousness of the egg. Its appeal is its ease of consumption, as it can be eaten as is, without heating. It's also perfect as a ramen topping or a side dish for lunchboxes.

The content is approximately 55g per piece. The shelf life is 21 days from the manufacturing date, when refrigerated. It is a popular product that has been featured in the media. This is recommended for those who want to purchase a souvenir that is a popular Yamagata specialty.

Yamagata Souvenir Ranking: Drinks & Alcohol

1st Place: Kamenoi Shuzo Junmai Ginjo Kudoki Jozu

This souvenir is a junmai ginjo sake brewed from Miyamanishiki rice polished to 40%. It's a popular product within the Kudoki Jozu brand, characterized by its ukiyo-e label. Made with low-acid yeast, it has a fruity aroma and a mellow, gentle flavor.

This sake fills the mouth with the deliciousness of rice. It serves as a complementary player, enhancing the flavor of various dishes, and thus pairs well with a wide range of cuisine. The volume is 720ml, with an alcohol content of 16.8%. This souvenir is recommended for those who want local Yamagata sake.

2nd Place: Yamagata Foods Yamagata Pine Cider

This souvenir is a juice with a strong carbonation and a refreshing taste. Pine cider is a local cider that originated in the 1950s. It is characterized by its fruity aroma and rustic sweetness. It evokes a nostalgic feeling. A key point is that it is colored yellow using "benibana" (safflower), the prefectural flower of Yamagata Prefecture.

It is said to have been created out of a longing for pineapples, which were not commonly eaten in Yamagata at the time. Each can contains 250ml. This is recommended for those looking for a beverage souvenir that appeals to all ages.

3rd Place: Tendo Brewery 3 Types of Craft Beer

This is a set of three craft beers crafted by a Yamagata Prefecture brewery. "Soba Dry" stands out for its use of Yamagata-grown sarashina soba. It's a refreshing pilsner with a spread of soba flavor. "Tenshi no Sakuranbo" (Angel's Cherry) features "Sato Nishiki," known as the king of cherries. Even those who dislike beer can enjoy its fruity flavor, making it easy to drink.

"Soyokaze Hop" uses 100% hops from Shirataka Town, Yamagata Prefecture. It's a pale ale characterized by its gentle bitterness and citrus aroma. The content is a total of 6 bottles, with 2 of each type. This is recommended for those who want to purchase local Yamagata beer as a souvenir.

4th Place: Chokai Yahata Kanko Chokai Kogen Drinking Yogurt

 

This souvenir is a drinking yogurt made from fresh milk produced in Yamagata Prefecture. By fermenting slowly for a long time, it achieves a rich and full-bodied flavor. It features a mild acidity and thickness from lactic acid bacteria. No artificial flavors or stabilizers are used.

It comes in three sizes: 150ml, 500ml, and 900ml. The shelf life is 16 days from the manufacturing date when refrigerated. If you're looking for a beverage that can be enjoyed by both children and seniors, consider this product.

Yamagata Souvenir Ranking: Stylish and Cute Goods

1st Place: Horikoshi Shogi Piece Keychain - Osho

This souvenir is a shogi piece keychain with the character "Osho" (King) carved on it. Yamagata is a top producer of shogi pieces in Japan, so there are facilities and motifs related to shogi throughout the city.

This product uses Satsuma boxwood from the Minamisatsu region of Kagoshima Prefecture, which is used for shogi pieces. It is harder than regular boxwood and has a beautiful color and fine grain. It is a high-grade wood that develops a luster the more it is used in shogi.

This accessory is made from Tendo City's shogi pieces, which are designated traditional crafts. The combination of the shogi piece and the charming bell is also a highlight. It is a cute size, 2.9cm in height. This Yamagata souvenir is recommended for shogi lovers.

2nd Place: Yozan Yamabudou Tsuru Kobo Sasano Ittobori Enju Taka Otaka Poppo Plain

This souvenir is a craft item made with Sasano Ittobori (one-knife carving). It is a product created using traditional carving techniques that have been passed down for over a thousand years. It is an "Otaka Poppo," a hawk figurine carved from a tree called Enju.

Enju (Japanese pagoda tree) has been used since ancient times as a tree that brings good luck, warding off evil and protecting against ill fortune. While some versions have colored heads, this product is intentionally left plain to allow enjoyment of Enju's beautiful wood grain. This souvenir is recommended for those who want a traditional craft from Yamagata.