What Makes Tohoku Sweets Special?
The Tohoku region—made up of Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima—has long been known as a treasure house of traditional Japanese confections. Drawing on the region’s generous mountains and seas, as well as its distinct four seasons, Tohoku sweets are characterized by simple, comforting flavors that never grow tiring. From classic souvenirs beloved by travelers to rare traditional sweets that can only be found locally, the variety found here is truly unique. In this guide, we introduce recommended Tohoku confections by category, highlighting sweets worth seeking out on your journey.
Classic Sweets
For travelers, the classic souvenirs are impossible to overlook. These sweets are widely recognized, travel well, and often come in individually wrapped portions—ideal for sharing or gift-giving.
Kamome no Tamago (Iwate / Saito Seika)
A staple of Iwate. Soft yellow bean paste is wrapped in castella cake and coated with white chocolate, creating a gentle sweetness and moist texture perfect with tea.
Hagi no Tsuki (Miyagi / Kasho Sanzen)
A Sendai icon. Fluffy sponge cake filled with smooth custard cream, named for its resemblance to a full moon. Soft, mild, and universally loved.
Shiramatsu-ga Monaka (Miyagi / Shiramatsu Monaka Honpo)
A fragrant monaka with crisp wafers and richly packed bean filling, made without preservatives. Available in multiple sizes and regarded as a dependable gift sweet.
Kinman (Akita / Kinman Co., Ltd.)
A long-loved Akita confection made by wrapping white bean paste in soft castella batter. Its gentle sweetness and fluffy texture make it a familiar airport and station favorite.
Traditional Sweets
Tohoku is also home to numerous long-established shops and rare sweets available only locally. Tasting these traditional confections is one of the great pleasures of traveling through the region.
Shiratsuyu Fukimame (Yamagata / Yamada-ya)
Made only with green peas and sugar, this simple yet deep-flavored sweet has a devoted following. Its limited availability—including fax-only ordering—adds to its charm.
Noshiume (Yamagata / Sato-ya)
A Yamagata specialty made from ripe plums kneaded into agar and pressed between bamboo leaves. Its refreshing acidity and fragrance make it a popular summer treat.
Takenagashi (Aomori / Osaka-ya)
A rustic wafer made by hand-pressing flour and buckwheat batter into thin sheets, about 2 mm thick. Available only at the original shop, making it a true local specialty.
Kaden Yubeshi (Fukushima / Kannoya)
A steamed sweet made with mochi dough wrapped around bean paste. The combination of soy-sauce fragrance and roasted walnut flavor makes it one of Fukushima’s signature confections.
Manju-style Sweets
The abundance of manju-style confections is another hallmark of Tohoku. Tasting and comparing them is a fun way to experience each region’s character.
Tsuruko Manju (Aomori / Maneido)
A traditional sweet of southern Aomori, made with brown-sugar dough coated in white rice flour. Rustic and beloved by locals.
Awa Manju (Fukushima / Iwai-ya)
A yellow bun made from millet and glutinous rice dough filled with smooth bean paste. Chewy, aromatic, and distinctly Fukushima.
Karinto Manju (Fukushima / Akutsu-ya)
A deep-brown, crispy bun flavored with brown sugar and filled with bean paste. Created by a Taisho-era shop, it blends Japanese tradition with Western-inspired texture.
Cheese Manju (Miyagi / Fugetsudo)
A modern fusion confection that incorporates cheese into a soft manju dough. Born in Miyagi, yet loved across Japan.
One-of-a-Kind Sweets
Tohoku also offers sweets with distinctive personalities—items you won’t find anywhere else.
Kokonoe (Miyagi / Tamazawa)
A refined amber confection made from sugar and glutinous rice starch. Traditionally used in tea ceremonies and recognized as one of Japan’s excellent confections.
Goma-Suri Dango (Iwate / Shoeido)
Soft mochi dumplings filled with a stream of fragrant sesame syrup. The contrast of chewy texture and rich sesame makes it particularly memorable.
Nanbu Senbei (Iwate / Shirasawa Senbei-ten)
A simple, wheat-based cracker seasoned with salt and often mixed with sesame or peanuts. Long-lasting, practical, and widely enjoyed.
https://sweetrip.sunairo.life/sweets-wiki/nanbu-senbei/
Sanadzura (Akita / Eitaro)
A jelly-like sweet made from wild-grape juice, offering a deep sweet–tart flavor unique to Akita’s natural environment. Its wine-like richness makes it a popular gift for adults.
https://sweetrip.sunairo.life/sweets-wiki/sanadura/
How to Choose and Enjoy Tohoku Sweets
- For gifts: Boxed or long-lasting sweets like Hagi no Tsuki and Shiramatsu-ga Monaka are ideal.
- For seasonal charm: Look for varieties available only at certain times of year, such as summer Noshiume or seasonal yubeshi.
