[Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture] Introducing 3 traditional sweets that are perfect as souvenirs! We also pick up famous historical stores

Yamagata has many traditional sweets such as Okitsunehan, Sake-tane Anpan, and Kiri Sansho. This time, we will pick up three sweets that are especially popular and perfect as souvenirs.

We will introduce the charms of ``Noshiume'', ``Karara Senbei'', and ``Hinamagashi'', as well as famous historical shops that sell them.

"Noshi Ume"

Noshiume is a traditional Japanese sweet from Yamagata.

The oldest well-established store “Noshiume Honpo Satoya”

The original one in particular is the one made by Noshiume Honpo Satoya.

This Japanese sweet is wrapped in bamboo skin and has an elegant atmosphere. The amber agar is beautiful and the texture is sticky.

As the name suggests, you can feel the sourness of plums in the sweetness. Many people become addicted to it once they try it, making it a popular souvenir from Yamagata.

Simple ingredients and careful handwork are attractive.

The raw materials used are plums from Murayama and agar from Nagano. All that's left is sugar.

Everything is made by hand. The antioxidant properties of plums are said to be good for the body, making them a popular food.

Roots of Noshiume

The origin of Noshiume dates back to the time when Lord Mogami Yoshimitsu was the feudal lord. Originally it was a medicine using plums, but later it was made into sweets to make it easier to eat.

Noshiume Honpo Satoya is the oldest store that sells Noshiume as sweets that can be confirmed in literature. The company was founded in 1821 (Bunsei 4).

Since those ancient times, Noshiume has been loved by people and is still a famous confectionery representing Yamagata.

Trying out the new “Noshi Ume”

Satoya is characterized by not only preserving old-fashioned flavors, but also challenging new flavors.

For example, there is a product called "Tamayura". This is a novel confectionery with Noshi plums placed on top of raw chocolate.

The melting sweetness of raw chocolate and the sourness of springy plums combine to create a unique taste.

Many people feel that it is a sweet that they have never eaten before. Please try it for yourself.

INFORMATION

nameNoshiume Honpo Satoya
location3-10-36 Tokamachi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
telephone number023-622-3108
Official URLhttp://satoya-matsubei.com/
GOOGLE MAP

"Karara rice cracker"

In Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, there is a traditional sweet called Karakara Senbei. It has been around since the Edo period.

Based on the idea that just a rice cracker is not interesting, we folded the rice cracker from three sides and placed a small toy inside.

The toy inside changes depending on each rice cracker. Also, the content of toys changes with the times.

At first, they were dolls of soldiers and Daikoku-sama. Because it was made of lead, it was quite heavy and dangerous to eat, so it is no longer included.

Recently, things like the Super Bowl, the Wheel of Wisdom, and miniature cars have become popular. Sometimes popular characters are included.

Named by Umezu Confectionery

The name ``karakara senbei'' comes from the fact that there is a toy inside the rice cracker, which makes a crackling sound when shaken.

The name father of this name is Umezu Confectionery Store, a long-established store in Tsuruoka. It is the originator of Karakara Senbei that has been made for the longest time.

Around 1950 (Showa 20s), Umezu Confectionery Co., Ltd. began selling what was originally called "Untoku Senbei" under the name "Karakara Senbei."

At that time, they were already putting tin toys in them instead of lead ones. Nowadays, it is known all over the country under the name ``Karara Senbei'', which was named by Umezu Confectionery.

Enjoy the taste of old-fashioned candy

In the past, sweets made with white sugar were called jogashi and were only popular among samurai. Miscellaneous sweets made with starch syrup and brown sugar were popular among the common people.

This is the origin of dagashi. Karakara senbei's charm lies in its traditional, simple sweetness. Karakara Senbei is 315 yen for a set of 7 pieces.

Hard to find in the back alley

Not only are there local customers who have been coming here for a long time, but there are also many tourists who come from far away in search of the famous dagashi.

However, the store is very small. It is hidden away in a back alley in the center of Tsuruoka.

It's about an hour wide. In addition to Karakara Senbei, the small store is filled with other confectionery called Kitsunemen, peppermint confectionery, red bean paste confectionery, and aruheito.

INFORMATION

nameUmezu Confectionery
location2-8-16 Honmachi, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
telephone number0235-22-7348
Official URLhttps://www.umetsukashiho.com/
GOOGLE MAP

"Hina sweets"

Hina sweets are also a must-try as Yamagata's specialty sweets. A grand Doll's Festival was held in Tsuruoka, which once flourished as a castle town.

There, not only Hina dolls but also Hina sweets were lined up.

These sweets are cute and brightly shaped like fruits such as strawberries, mandarin oranges, and peaches, as well as bamboo shoots and sea bream.

Fresh sweets for special occasions

Hina sweets are made using a method called nerikiri. Gyuhi, which is made by mixing starch syrup and sugar with mochi flour or shiratama flour, is added to white bean paste and kneaded further.

Unlike dagashi (dagashi), it is served on special occasions such as celebrations, so it is considered a jōnamagashi (jonamagashi).

Each confectionery is colored by hand and carefully coated with agar to give it a glossy shine. It looks vivid and has intricate details, so it is popular with children.

The taste is elegantly sweet, and even adults who don't like too much sweetness can enjoy it.

First-class Hina sweets from “Kimuraya”

Kimuraya, a long-established store in Tsuruoka that has been in business since 1898, is gaining popularity for offering high-quality hina sweets.

The Doll's Festival, which was once held in the castle town, is still held in Tsuruoka with even more gaiety than anywhere else in the country. In such a place, Kimuraya, which continues to make Hina sweets that add color to festivals, is an indispensable presence.

Be sure to try these traditional hina sweets, which are filled with the craftsmanship and are both pleasing in appearance and taste.

Tsuruoka Hinamatsuri event

Tsuruoka holds an event called "Tsuruoka Hina Monogatari" from March to April every year. From the Muromachi period to the Edo period, many Hina dolls from Kyoto are displayed at famous spots in Tsuruoka, such as the Shirakaba House and the Chido Museum, where you can see a variety of Hina dolls.


It is also recommended to visit Kimuraya when this Hina is seen up close.

INFORMATION

nameKimuraya
location9-25 Sanno-cho, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
telephone number0235-22-4530
Official URLhttps://kimuraya.co.jp/
GOOGLE MAP

Summary of Yamagata's traditional sweets

This time, we featured sweets that have been passed down in Yamagata since ancient times. The items introduced here have a particularly long history and have been loved by people.

The taste also feels somewhat nostalgic. The latest sweets that you see in commercials are good, but sweets that are filled with people's passion and love and that are colored by Yamagata's history also have an irreplaceable charm.

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