This Coca-Cola set is sold exclusively in the Northern Tohoku Region’s Aomori, Iwate, and Akita Prefectures. The set includes a hand towel and five 250ml cans, each featuring designs from the festivals of the Northeast. These include Aomori’s Nebuta Festival, Akita’s Kanto Festival, and Iwate’s Morioka Sansa Odori, all summer celebrations that color the cultural landscape of Tohoku. Sold at Aomori City Cultural Tourism Exchange Facility, Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse.

These Tohoku-exclusive Hi-Chews are made with apple juice, incorporating the fresh aroma and sweet fruity apple flavor synonymous with Aomori Prefecture. We also recommend the five-pack as a bulk souvenir option. Available at JR Shin-Aomori Station and other locations.

Aomori is famous for its apples, amongst which the Benidama variety, with its red, vibrant fruit, takes center stage in the prefecture’s cultivation. Hatoya Seika’s Fresh Apple Cheesecake from Aomori is a delicious confection featuring honey-soaked Benidama apples in a luscious cheesecake. The fluffy dough and sweet-and-sour pulp make for an exquisite combination. Available at A-FACTORY and other stores.

Magokoro Farm’s Aomori Apple Chocolate is an addictive, chewy confectionary featuring semi-dried Aomori apples, coated with white chocolate. This delectable treat offers a new way to savor this delicious fruit beyond eating them as-is! Available at A-FACTORY and other stores.

Choux Rusk Apple Pie, produced by famous cake shop Sweets Labo C&Y in Asahimachi, Aomori City, is a new kind of pastry featuring a puff pastry crust, soaked in apple juice and baked like a rusk, boasting rich flavors of cinnamon and apple. Available at A-FACTORY and other stores.

These “Snowballs,” courtesy of Yamashiro Workplace, are made from Aomori rice flour. Standard flavors include Plain and Cocoa (525 yen, 15 pieces), along with Aomori Apple (633 yen, 15 pieces). There are also summer-exclusive flavors, such as Lemon and Aomori Cassis. Each treat contains fine Aomori apple pulp, characterized by its fine, flaky texture. Available at A-FACTORY and other locations.

Kamome no Tamago (literally “Seagull’s Egg”), produced by Saito Seika, is a famous Iwate confectionery with a history of nearly 80 years. This egg-shaped treat was inspired by the seagulls found soaring over the Sanriku Coast. Its moist bean paste yolk is encased in a rich combination of sponge cake dough and sweet white chocolate. Popular flavors include Apple and Chocolate, as well as the small Minis. Available at JR Morioka Station and others.

Hachimantai is situated in the northwestern part of Iwate Prefecture at an altitude of 1,600 meters. In the winter, visitors are treated to a stunning spectacle of “juhyo (or snow monsters)”, which refers to the trees covered in ice. Drawing inspiration from these icy trees is Hachimantai no Jyuhyo, a delightful treat that embodies the essence of winter, produced by Morioka Kagetsudo. This confection features a smooth, snowy marshmallow sandwiched between two cookies and coated with rich chocolate. It comes in three varieties: White, Black, and Green Tea. Available at JR Morioka Station and others.

Nambu Senbei has a long-standing tradition in the Nambu Region’s Iwate and Aomori Prefectures, characterized by its chewy, rustic texture crafted and flour base. Iwateya, hailing from Ninohe City, Iwate Prefecture, is one of the most popular brands, famous for their sweet and crunchy Nambu Senbei, made with egg-infused dough. These crackers come in a wide variety of flavors, including Kabocha Sembei, deliciously topped with a touch of savory pumpkin seeds. Available at JR Morioka Station, Ninohe Station, and others.

Koiwai Farm, spanning Shizukuishi Town and Takizawa City in Iwate Prefecture, boasts a vast 3,000-hectare farm, home to the many cows that are raised for their fresh, delicious milk. You’ll find an array of milk-based souvenirs, including the popular favorite, Milk Caramel. This product captures the irresistible flavor of pure milk itself in a candy! Available at JR Morioka Station and others.

Meruhen Kamakura, produced by Shougetsu, draws its inspiration from the enchanting kamakura (snow huts) that grace the winter landscape of Yokote City, Akita Prefecture. These treats feature a white sponge cake wrapped in a coat of white chocolate “snow.” The cake itself is soft and not overly sweet, delicious until the very last bite. Sold at JR Akita Station and others.

When you think of Akita, you probably imagine the Akita dog breed, a large breed practically synonymous with Japan. Amongst the many souvenirs featuring this beloved breed is Mofudora, a dorayaki treat produced by Rogetsu-do. Dorayaki is a Japanese confectionery consisting of a round sponge cake, with red bean paste sandwiched in between. Mofudora takes this classic treat to new heights with its red bean filling and delicious dough, soft and fluffy as an Akita pup itself! Sold at JR Akita Station and others.

The Inukko Sablé by Kurata is another charming confectionery inspired by the adorable Akita. Yuzawa City has an annual folk custom of building snow sculptures of shrines and “Inukko” (the Akita dialect for the Akita dog breed). This treat features the Inukko as a scrumptious sablé shortbread biscuit. The moment you pop one into your mouth, the flavorful buttery aroma delights your senses. Available at JR Akita Station and others.

During the Namahage event, held on the Oga Peninsula on New Year's Eve, the Namahage, said to be messengers of the gods, pay a visit to each household to encourage children to be grateful to their parents and for their food. Fujita Confectionery's Namahage Manju is a wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery) shaped in the recognizable face of the Namahage. In contrast to the fearsome appearance of the Namahage, the fluffy sponge cake dough and the sweetness of the bean paste are delightfully sweet and gentle. Available at JR Akita Station and others.

Hagi no Tsuki by Sansho Sanzen is one of the most famous Miyagi souvenirs in all of Japan. This confectionary draws its inspiration from the moon shining over Miyagino, Miyagi Prefecture, where the autumnal flowers called “hagi” (Japanese clover) bloom. The sponge cake is round in shape, just like the full moon, and filled with custard cream. Available at JR Sendai Station and others.

Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, has a rich history of salt production, as evident from the word “shio" (meaning “salt") in its name. Shiogama salt is produced through traditional methods passed down the generations. And it is this very salt that is used in the creation of Kasho Eitaro’s Baked Chocolate confectionery. This treat caters to adult tastes, with crisp, crunchy chocolate and a subtle touch of saltiness. Available at JR Sendai Station and others.

Kabo Yamasei's Sendai Strawberry Butter Sandwich features Sendai strawberries, one of the most popular fruits of Miyagi Prefecture. These treats boast a delicious combination of Sendai strawberry confiture and cream, blended with white chocolate and butter, and sandwiched between 100% butter cookies. The result is a perfect balance of rich, creamy strawberry goodness! There are two tempting options to choose from: the Standard Sandwich (216 yen each) and the Premium Sandwich, crafted with rare green cacao (259 yen each). Available at JR Sendai Station and others.

Zunda, made from mashed edamame or fava beans, is a beloved local delicacy of Miyagi Prefecture, known for its delightful sweetness. Zunda sweets have a long history dating back to ancient times, and Zunda Manju, a sweet zunda-filled bun, is a popular choice. Kansendo's Zunda Manju preserves the crunchy texture of the edamame, while capturing its natural sweetness and aroma. Available at JR Sendai Station and others.

Oshidori Milk Cake, a traditional favorite of Yamagata locals, also makes for an excellent souvenir from Japan. This cake is crafted by stretching sweetened condensed milk into thin sheets, resulting in a treat that is not only delicious, but rich in protein and calcium. Its irresistibly crispy texture only adds to its appeal, and it is available in a variety of flavors, including Cherry, Grape, and La France Pear, amongst other Yamagata-grown fruits. Sold at JR Yamagata Station and others.

Yamagata Prefecture is also famous for cherries, of which it boasts the largest production in the nation. As such, you’ll also find an array of cherry-flavored souvenirs. Nagatoya's Yamagata Cherry Popcorn is one of them, featuring popcorn coated with the juice of Sato Nishiki, one of the prefecture’s signature cherry varieties, giving it that distinct sweet-and-sour taste that only cherries can provide. Available at JR Yamagata Station and others.

Sakuma Seika, famous for its assortment of drops and candies, also offers a special treat exclusive to Yamagata Prefecture: their Cherry Milk candy. This layered mille-feuille candy presents a delicious combination of cherry and milk flavors, with a crisp, satisfying crunch in every bite. Available at JR Yamagata Station and others.

Sakata Beika, famous for rice crackers, boasts 70 years in business in Yamagata, a region well-known for their production of rice. The brand’s PARIPARI x SAKUSAKU series makes the perfect souvenirs with their adorable wrapping, and come in a wide variety of flavors, including Ume Shiso, Wasabi, and Black Sesame.

The design depicting the iconic Hanagasa hats worn during the Hanagasa Festival, a beloved summer tradition, belongs to the Dondonyaki flavor, a soul food of Japan. This Dondonyaki is a baked flour cracker, blended with sausage and seaweed and bursting with flavor. Sold at JR Yamagata Station and others.

Mamadooru, the signature product of confectionary manufacturer Sanmangoku in Koriyama City, is also a well-known Fukushima souvenir. This treat consists of milk-flavored red bean paste encased in a moist, buttery dough, baked to perfection. The bean paste boasts a smooth, velvety texture, and pairs well with both black and Japanese tea.

The Aizu Tenjin is a papier-mâché doll, and a local craft of Aizu Wakamatsu City. Taroan's Aizu no Tenjin-sama pays homage to this esteemed tradition in the form of a Western-style pastry with a fluffy, fine-textured dough, and a generous filling of cream blended with fresh butter. This delicious treat comes in the standard Cheese variety, as well as seasonal flavors like Strawberry Milk (available January-April) and Summer Mikan (June-August).

Fukushima, lovingly nicknamed the “Fruit Kingdom,” is famous for peaches, characterized by their concentrated sweetness. Although you can't bring home actual peaches, we have a delightful alternative for you – Koriyama Meihan's Fukushima Peaches! Open the small cardboard box to reveal a handful of peach-shaped manju buns, packaged just like the real thing. These adorable treats feature a delicious combination of white bean paste and peach jam, with a refreshing, fruity aftertaste.

Rakuou Cafe Au Lait Crunch, produced by Rakuou-Kyodo in Motomiya City, holds a special place in the hearts of Fukushima locals. Rakuou Cafe Au Lait Crunch artfully captures the essence of that flavor, generating interest far and wide. Inside the box, designed to resemble a milk carton, you’ll find these crunchy treats wrapped in individual packets. Much like a real Café Au Lait, each piece boasts the rich flavor of pure milk with a subtle, delicate taste.

And there you have it – a comprehensive introduction of souvenirs that perfectly embody the rich culture and diverse products of the Tohoku Region’s six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima. So embark on a journey to Tohoku, and immerse yourself in the wonders of the region through these distinct and delightful souvenirs!

Information in article as of July 2023. Please see official websites for the latest updates and information.

English translation by: Krys Suzuki