Iwate Prefecture, the second largest prefecture in Japan, offers a charming array of souvenirs that highlight its regional characteristics. From seafood caught along the coast and Morioka's three great noodle dishes to traditional crafts, locally beloved sweets, and snacks, here's a ranking of popular souvenirs from Iwate Prefecture.

Introducing recommended souvenirs from Iwate!

【25th】Iwayado Yokan / Kaishindo

Iwayado Yokan, with its main store in Oshu City, boasts a rich variety of flavors. These include the classic azuki bean, whole large chestnuts, sesame, walnuts, blueberries, and more. The sweetness also varies depending on the type of yokan, offering both rich and refreshing options, so it's fun to try and compare them.

【24th】Koiwai Farm Adult Cookies / Koiwai Farm

These cookies are sold at Koiwai Farm, a popular tourist spot in Iwate. They come in two flavors: cheese & black pepper, and cheese & basil, making them an adult-friendly snack that pairs well with wine. Made with ingredients harvested at the farm, a gentle aroma of fermented butter spreads in your mouth with every bite.

【23rd】Benkei no Horohoro-zuke / Nikatsuhachihe-honten

Benkei no Horohoro-zuke is perfect with rice. The spicy kick and the rich flavor of the special moromi (unrefined sake mash) are an excellent combination. It contains finely chopped carrots, daikon radish, eggplant, and cucumber. It's so good that you'll keep reaching for more warm rice. It's also available for purchase online.

【22nd】Otsumami Itakonbu (Snack Kelp Sheet) / Rikuzentakata Regional Promotion

This snack kelp sheet, made from Sanriku kelp lightly seasoned, is perfect as a snack. Although each sheet is 50cm long, it can be easily torn by hand. The more you chew, the more umami flavor you'll taste, and it's also a low-calorie option at 45 calories per sheet, which is a plus!

【21st】Miffy Plush Toy / Miffy Cafe Kamaishi

There's a cozy Miffy-themed cafe on the coast in Kamaishi. Here, you can enjoy Miffy-themed lunch plates and waffles. You can also buy a Miffy plush toy holding a rugby ball, an original item only available in Kamaishi, famous as a rugby town. This delightful souvenir will surely please children and Miffy-loving women alike.

【20th】STAR PEANUT / Choco Nambu PREMIUM

 

Among Nambu Senbei, "Mamegorou" is a popular sweet cookie with peanuts. "STAR PEANUT" is a fusion of Mamegorou and burnt chocolate. It's a popular product where you can taste the fragrant burnt chocolate within the sweetness. Its star shape is also very cute, making it a great gift for women.

#19 Ryusendo Cider / Iwaizumi Dairy

Ryusendo Cave is a popular tourist spot in Iwaizumi Town. It is one of Japan's three largest limestone caves and is designated as a natural monument along with the bats that live inside. Ryusendo Cider uses water that springs from the underground lake, making it an easy-to-drink cider with a refreshing sweetness and mild carbonation. The cool blue glass bottle, as if representing the underground lake, is a unique souvenir from Ryusendo. Since it's a fragile item, purchasing it online might be a good idea.

#18 Maesawa Beef

Maesawa Beef is a brand of beef that Iwate is proud of. Raised in abundant nature with clean water and pasture, the meat is moist, tender, and has a subtle sweetness. The vivid marbling fat is not greasy, and it is said to have a buttery aroma when grilled. Be sure to savor the deliciousness of Maesawa Beef at home. It makes for a highly valued special souvenir.

#17 Raden Strap / Hiraizumi Konjikido

 

Hiraizumi Konjikido, a World Heritage site. This raden strap is made from abalone shells, featuring arabesque patterns and lotus motifs from Chuson-ji Temple. It's a stylish and memorable souvenir, as if you're taking a piece of Konjikido home with you. Various sundry souvenirs can be purchased at Chusonji Shop and Ochiya within the Chuson-ji Temple grounds.

#16 Ama Hotate / Kasho Takase

 

Kasho Takase is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop in Ofunato. Popular here is "Ama Hotate," a monaka (wafer cake) shaped like a scallop. It is generously filled with mochi (gyuhi) and red bean paste (tsubuan), with the chewy texture providing a pleasant accent. Please enjoy it with a warm cup of tea.

#15 Kosuzu / Hachimantai Sangyo Shinko

Iwate is also known for its grape production. "Kosuzu" is a 100% straight juice made from wild grapes grown in Hachimantai. Its refreshing tartness and moderate sweetness make it deliciously easy to drink. There are also jams and crackers made from wild grapes. It can be purchased online from Amazon, Rakuten, and other e-commerce sites.

#14 Sheep Hat / Koiwai Farm

At Koiwai Farm, sweets made with fresh eggs and milk are popular, but there are also many cute goods. The sheep souvenir corner, in particular, is very popular. The sheep hats, made from sheep's wool, come in white and beige, and are available in sizes from SS to L. Your children are sure to look adorable wearing them! They also make a great memento of your visit to Koiwai Farm.

#13 Junmai Sake Tsukinowa / Tsukinowa Shuzo

Tsukinowa's Junmai sake can be enjoyed delicious both chilled and hot. When you take a sip, you'll feel a deep umami, followed by a crisp and refreshing aftertaste. It would make a delightful souvenir for any sake lover.

#12 Hiraizumi-nuri Wine Glass / Marusan Shikki

"Hidehira-nuri" is a lacquerware technique passed down in the Oshu Hiraizumi region in the southwest of Iwate Prefecture, characterized by gold leaf and patterns of flowers and auspicious motifs. The Hidehira-nuri wine glass has a simple yet elegant taste. When you pour a drink, the pattern drawn on the bottom emerges. It's a luxurious wine glass that you'd want to choose as a souvenir for someone special. It can also be purchased online from Rakuten and other e-commerce sites.

#11 Kita-gen Yuzu Madeleine / Ayumi Kobo

 

The "Hokugen no Yuzu" product was launched in Rikuzentakata after the earthquake. While various products using yuzu are available, we especially recommend the "Yuzu Madeleine." It comes in three flavors: yuzu salt, matcha, and chocolate. Made with salt from Sanriku Noda, the yuzu aroma and the sweetness of the madeleine are further enhanced.

【No. 10】Akegarasu / Matsuda Shōrindō

 

Akegarasu is a famous traditional confection representing Tono. It's a simple Japanese sweet made from rice flour, walnuts, and sesame. The cross-section of the walnuts is said to resemble crows flying in the dawn sky, hence the name "Akegarasu" (dawn crows). The aroma of walnuts and sesame is fragrant, and it has a satisfying chewy texture. It's best enjoyed with tea. It can also be purchased online.

【No. 9】Nambu Senbei / Nambu Senbei no Iwataya

Nambu Senbei is a classic and popular souvenir from Iwate. If you're buying it as a souvenir, we recommend an assortment that includes classic sesame, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, squid, and apple. You can enjoy a variety of flavors, both sweet and savory. It's light and easy to carry, making it perfect for a souvenir.

【No. 8】Busunokobu / Sawagiku

Busunokobu is a famous confection from Sawagiku, a long-established Japanese confectionery shop in Kuji City. The name is interesting, isn't it? (laughs) This is a sweet made by simmering grain anko (sweet bean paste) steeped in sugar syrup, then baking it coated with a special butter shigure seed mixture. It's delicious as is, but warming it in a toaster is recommended to enjoy its freshly baked, crispy texture.

【No. 7】Choco Nambu / Nambu Senbei no Iwataya

Choco Nambu is a chocolate crunch made from crushed classic Nambu Senbei. It has a crunchy texture. Since each piece is individually wrapped, it's perfect as a souvenir to hand out to many people, such as at work. However, please note that it is a limited-time product available only in winter and spring.

【No. 6】Seasoned Nori & Roasted Nori / Sanriku Noriten

A set of seasoned nori and roasted nori made from carefully selected seaweed. This set allows you to fully enjoy the rich aroma and flavor of seaweed. There are many ways to enjoy it, such as in onigiri, as a snack, or as a side dish with drinks. The crispy texture is also irresistible.

【No. 5】Iwaizumi Yogurt / Iwaizumi Nyugyo

Iwaizumi Yogurt is a popular local product sold in supermarkets throughout Iwate Prefecture. Made without any additives and fermented slowly at low temperatures, it boasts a unique chewy texture, despite being yogurt. It's low in calories yet very filling, making it a great choice for women who prioritize beauty. If you're giving it as a gift, a set that includes drinking yogurt is recommended.

【No. 4】Kamome no Tamago Mini / Sanriku Kashō Saitō

Kamome no Tamago, a nationally renowned confection from Sanriku. The mini size is more popular and easier to eat than the regular size. It features a fluffy yellow bean paste filling encased in sponge cake and white chocolate. It's a classic Iwate souvenir with a nostalgic, gentle taste. A charming aspect is that you can enjoy seasonal flavors like strawberry, melon, chestnut, and mandarin orange.

[#3] Mamebu-jiru / Kuji Kosodeya

"Mamebu-jiru" is a local dish from Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, made by stewing mushrooms and various vegetables with "mamebu" (dumplings made from walnuts and brown sugar). The savory soy sauce broth, the sweetness of brown sugar, and the chewy texture of the dumplings are irresistible. Since it comes in a retort pouch, it's easy to carry and has a long shelf life. Please enjoy the taste of Iwate's local cuisine at home.

[#2] Oshu Potato / Fleur Kikuy

This sweet potato is made from Naruto Kintoki, which is rich in fiber and vitamins, and boasts exceptional sweetness. The custard cream inside combined with the moist sweet potato creates a superb melting texture! The eggs used are fresh eggs sent every morning from Kikuchi Farm in Oshu City. This snack has gained popularity through word-of-mouth among locals.

[#1] Morioka Reimen / Pyonpyonsya

Morioka Reimen is another classic souvenir from Iwate. It is one of Morioka's three great noodle dishes, along with Wanko Soba and Jajamen. The balance of the chewy noodles, kimchi, and the delicious soup is irresistible. It's easy to cook at home and can be arranged in various ways. It's a souvenir that everyone will enjoy.

Summary of Recommended Souvenirs from Iwate Prefecture

How was it? We introduced a variety of souvenirs, from classic popular ones to lesser-known Iwate-exclusive items. If anything caught your eye, feel free to order it online or even visit Iwate yourself!