Akita: Top 5 Omiyage Recommendations

Akita Prefecture is a charming city brimming with magnificent nature and a rich food culture. There are many attractions where you can enjoy history and nature, such as Shirakami-Sanchi, a World Heritage site, and the Jizodana Ruins, famous as a national historic site.

In Akita Prefecture, which is rich in nature, its rich food culture is also a major highlight. Why not take home delicious souvenirs that can only be bought in Akita and share them with your family, friends, and colleagues?

"Kinman" (金萬), a famous confection that has been loved in Akita for over 70 years, is a must-buy souvenir. It is a castella manju with a subtly elegant sweetness.

With a plump shape resembling an imagawayaki, the castella dough is made with honey and eggs. It's generously filled with high-quality white bean paste made with eggs, and its gentle sweetness soothes the heart. It's about 5cm in diameter, making it the perfect size for a post-meal dessert.

Individually wrapped Kinman are also recommended as small gifts for many people. Furthermore, "raw" types are sold at direct stores and limited stores in Akita Prefecture! These are delivered fresh every morning from a factory in Akita City, so you can enjoy their fresh deliciousness. You can enjoy the "raw" type for yourself and the individually wrapped type as souvenirs, depending on the occasion.

The cute Akita dog illustration on the package will surely make you exclaim "Kawaii!" The dorayaki also has a tail pattern, which instantly brings a sense of peace. In fact, it's so delicious it won the gold prize at the "Akita Food Championship" in 2020.

The dorayaki, inspired by the fluffiness of an Akita dog, has a soft texture. With one bite, a gentle flavor spreads in your mouth, as if the adorable image of an Akita dog comes to mind. The homemade tsubuan (sweet bean paste) melts in your mouth, and you'll enjoy the exquisite harmony with the saltiness of the margarine.

Mofudora comes in two varieties: with margarine and without margarine. A box of four with margarine is also recommended.

At Rogetsudo's direct store, where Mofudora is made, you can observe the wagashi (Japanese sweets) manufacturing process (upon request). Be sure to enjoy this if you visit.

Butter mochi, with its fluffy and chewy texture, is a popular Akita sweet. Among them, "Kin no Butter Mochi" from Kawaguchiya, a long-established confectionery founded in the 1880s, is a popular product that won a special prize at the "JR East Souvenir Grand Prix 2019."

The Kin no Butter Mochi is made with Akita Prefecture's glutinous rice. Because it is steamed as whole rice rather than rice flour, it has an exquisite chewy texture. The price is also reasonable, making it a great small souvenir!

"Iburigakko," a traditional pickle representing Akita Prefecture, is daikon radish smoked and then pickled like takuan. Its smoky aroma and crispy texture are addictive, and you'll look forward to having it on your dining table. It's also recommended to pair it with cheese or add it to potato salad!

Iburigakko Honpo Ogachino Kimuraya is committed to additive-free production, and by pickling it with time and effort, they create delicious Iburigakko. Sliced versions are available, and sizes range from large to small, so please purchase it for yourself or as a souvenir!

The soy sauce-flavored hand-baked senbei "Kin no Teian" (金の鼎庵) is a popular Akita souvenir that won an encouragement award in the "Akita Food Championship 2019 (Confectionery and Beverage Category)". The dough is made from first-grade Akitakomachi rice grown in Akita Prefecture. Craftsmen hand-bake them to a golden crisp, creating an exquisite delicacy with an irresistible savory soy sauce aroma.

Other varieties include "Teian no Nori Senbei" (seaweed crackers), hand-fried senbei "Awayuki Fuwari" (fluffy snow), and "Senbei Nikki" (rice cracker diary) with a crunchy, popping texture. You can find them at Akita Station, so be sure to check them out when you're there.