Speaking of Miyagi, sea squirts are the first thing that comes to mind! 5 recommended sea squirt souvenirs you can buy at Sendai Station!

Yokochi
2025.03.05
Last updated: 2025.04.19

table of contents

1 What is a sea squirt?
- 1.1 Sea squirts from Miyagi Prefecture
2 5 Sea Squirt Souvenirs You Can Buy at Sendai Station
3 summary

Many people would say that Miyagi Prefecture is famous for sea squirts! This time, we'll introduce five recommended sea squirt souvenirs that can be carried at room temperature and are perfect as gifts or snacks!

What is a sea squirt?

Sea squirts, sometimes called "sea pineapples" because of their appearance, are biologically neither shellfish nor fish, but marine animals. They are mainly eaten in the Tohoku region, and are primarily farmed and harvested in Hokkaido, Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, and Aomori Prefecture.

Some people are put off by its somewhat grotesque appearance, but its remarkable nutritional value is its high glycogen content, which is twice that of oysters. Furthermore, sea squirts are one of the foods rich in the most powerful minerals (selenium)

Selenium is a type of mineral that is said to have antioxidant properties approximately 500 times stronger than vitamin E, and is expected to be effective in preventing cancer, myocardial infarction, and stroke, as well as improving circulatory disorders and menopausal symptoms

It also contains a wealth of other beneficial ingredients such as taurine and iron

Sea squirts from Miyagi Prefecture

Sea squirt farming is popular in Hokkaido, Iwate, Miyagi, and other areas, with Miyagi prefecture boasting the highest sea squirt production in the country

Most of them are farmed, and it is said that ascidian farming began in Miyagi Prefecture during the Meiji period. However, in recent years, rising seawater temperatures, thought to be the result of global warming, have led to a decline in the amount of catch, and there are concerns about future trends

5 Sea Squirt Souvenirs You Can Buy at Sendai Station

When it comes to processed sea squirt products, Suigetsudo, based in Ishinomaki, one of Miyagi Prefecture's leading port towns, is well-known, and most of the products we've highlighted here are from Suigetsudo

① Hoya Suimei(Suigetsudo)

Suigetsudo is famous for its hit product "Hoya Suimei," which has been sold on the Tohoku Shinkansen for 37 years . It is a semi-dried delicacy made from seasonal sea squirts that have been seasoned and dried.

It is a delicacy that can be easily eaten like a snack, and has been a long-selling item chosen as a snack to go with alcohol while riding on the Shinkansen

There is a wide variety of options, including the spicy "Hoya Suimei," "Hotate Suimei," "Shake Suimei, " and "Kaki Suimei," which uses oysters from Miyagi Prefecture .

In addition to these, they also have a lineup of high-end ingredient series"Karasumi Suimei," "Abalone Suimei," and "Shark Fin Suimei,"which might also make great souvenirs!

Link:Suigetsudo Online Shop – Suimei Series

② Hoya Suimei-filled Sasakama(Suigetsudo)

Another Miyagi Prefecture specialty,"Sasakamaboko"with"Hoya Suimei" (sea squirt drink).

The mini-sized sasakama rice cakes contain Hoya Suimei as an accent, and are bite-sized, making them easy to eat and perfect as a quick snack

Contains four mini-sized sasakama pieces, each individually wrapped

③ Hoya-n Pla(Suigetsudo)

"Hoya-npura" is a concentrated sea squirt extract made by aging and extracting sea squirts !

This product is made using the same method as fish sauce, taking 3 to 5 months to produce, and is a seasoning made only from sea squirts and salt, with no added chemical seasonings

Use it as a secret ingredient in dressings or pasta to enhance the flavor. Add a few drops to tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet) to make a delicious dashi-maki (rolled omelet), or add a little to tamago kake gohan (rice with raw egg on top)!

④ Steamed sea squirt in sake(Suigetsudo)

Sake-steamed sea squirts are steamed in sake and topped with chili peppers for a spicy flavor

Not only is it the perfect snack to go with alcohol, but it also comes in a generous portion so you can enjoy it in multiple portions in your own way, such as using half as a snack and the other half for pasta

This "Japanese-style sea squirt pasta" was made using sea squirt pla and steamed sea squirts . The satisfying texture and flavor of the sea squirts were absolutely delicious!

Suigetsudo＜Information＞

Name: Suigetsudo Bussan Co., Ltd
Address: 1-50 Nagaruoki, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 986-2103
Phone number: 0225-97-5225
Official URL:https://suigetsudo.jp/

Google Map

⑤ Smoked sea squirt(Yokotaya Main Store)

This is a product from Yokotaya Honten in Kesennuma City. It is a delicacy made from sea squirt smoked with cherry wood chips. It is only seasoned with salt, so you can really taste the flavor of the sea squirt

Well-smoked sea squirt. Because it is a delicacy, you might think of pairing it with alcohol, but even if you eat it as is, it is an irresistible delicacy for those who love smoked food!