A treat made with carefully selected soybeans! Discover authentic tofu at "Fuusetsu Hana" [Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture]

The tofu from "Fuusetsu Hana," which was established in Hachimantai City in 1999, is made using various heirloom varieties of domestically produced soybeans, changing them according to the season

Tofu made with care, utilizing the natural sweetness and flavor of carefully selected soybeans such as yellow soybeans, green soybeans, black soybeans, and brown soybeans, is available for purchase

I visited the popular tofu shop "Fuusetsu Hana" and tried their signature tofu products

Please note that the prices mentioned in this article are as of March 12, 2016

Also, although not in Hachimantai City, Morioka City in the same prefecture ranks second nationwide in "expenditure on tofu purchases."


The commitment of "Fuusetsu Hana" to making truly delicious tofu

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It has a mountain lodge-like exterior that doesn't look like a tofu shop

Tofu is made from just three ingredients: soybeans, water, and nigari (magnesium chloride). The key to success lies in the combination of the soybeans' natural flavor, the good water used to bring it out, and the nigari that solidifies the soy milk

We selected a local variety of soybean suitable for tofu making, abundant water from a deep well, and nigari (magnesium chloride) from overseas

When Fuusetsu Hana first opened, domestically produced soybeans were not widely available on the market, and it is said that they were constantly searching all over the country for the best soybeans, and in particular, they were looking for heirloom varieties that were rooted in the local area

Currently, we have cultivation contracts with farmers in areas where the climate and soil are suitable for heirloom soybean varieties, and we entrust them with the production of high-quality soybeans suitable for tofu making

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The tofu displayed in Fuusetsu Hana's shop is made with carefully selected soybeans, water, and nigari (magnesium chloride)

The water used comes from deep wells dug at depths of 65m and 91m within the workshop grounds near the shop. It is soft water that is filtered cleanly through a limestone layer and is considered suitable for tofu making

"Nigari" is a liquid primarily composed of magnesium chloride that remains after salt is extracted from seawater, and it plays a role in solidifying the protein in soy milk

The "Fuusetsu Hana" chose "nigari" from Tasmania, Australia, which is said to bring out the delicious flavor of soybeans and high-quality soft water


I tried the tofu from "Fuusetsu Hana"!

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Tofu lined up in a display case

For this visit, I set a budget of 2,000 yen and tried to buy as many different kinds of products as possible, carefully calculating my purchases

Hana Oboro Tofu and Edamame (400 yen)

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Soft tofu in a basket

All of the tofu sold at "Fuusetsu Hana" is made in the workshop in Anshio, Hachimantai City. For the oboro tofu, a little nigari (magnesium chloride) is added to soy milk, and once it solidifies, it is repeatedly scooped out with a sieve, and left to drain off the excess water naturally

When you put it in your mouth, it has a texture similar to cheese, and the flavor and sweetness of soybeans spread throughout your mouth, just like eating edamame, and it goes down smoothly

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You can enjoy a cheese-like texture

It's delicious with soy sauce, but I recommend sprinkling a pinch of salt on it; this will allow you to appreciate the flavor and sweetness of the soybeans even more

Also, the flavor and richness of the soybeans are more pronounced when it's a couple of days old than when it's freshly made, so it's recommended to let it sit for a while before eating

Green soybean tofu (small: 240 yen)

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Soft tofu has a texture similar to pudding

Made with creamy, high-quality soy milk, it leaves a soy flavor in your mouth, just like soft tofu

It's a little firmer than soft tofu and has a pudding-like texture, but it's still a tofu where you can really taste and smell the soybeans

Freshly made tofu skin from yellow soybeans (430 yen)

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Fresh yuba (tofu skin) that you want to eat as sashimi

Fresh yuba is made by slowly scooping up the protein film that floats to the top of soy milk when it is heated at a low temperature, one sheet at a time

It melts smoothly in your mouth, followed by a lingering sweetness and umami flavor of soybeans

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This alone is sure to make you want to drink more!

The author recommends eating it as sashimi with wasabi and soy sauce


Perfect for a road trip snack! A variety of tofu-based sweets

The waffles and donuts displayed in the tofu sweets section often sell out within the day

At "Fuusetsu Hana," a wide variety of sweets are made using delicious tofu as an ingredient

For long-distance drives, taking tofu to go can be difficult depending on the season, but tofu sweets can be enjoyed outside or inside the car if the weather is nice

Zaru Oboro Soft Serve Ice Cream (Cone: 400 yen)

The soft-serve ice cream made with zaru oboro tofu goes well with the cone

It looks like a regular vanilla soft serve ice cream, but when you eat it, the flavor of soy milk spreads in your mouth

I thought that this might be the texture you get when you crumble frozen soft tofu and eat it

With just the right amount of sweetness and a refreshing aftertaste, it seems like you could eat it endlessly. It's also said to be particularly popular with female customers as a low-calorie, healthy soft-serve ice cream

Soy milk donuts (130 yen each) and okara donuts (120 yen each)

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Waffles and two types of donuts can be purchased individually

Both the donuts made with a batter mixed with soy milk and the donuts made with okara (soy pulp) mixed in can be purchased individually

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Crispy on the outside, soy milk donuts

The soy milk donut has a crisp texture and a subtle soy milk flavor

It will become soggy over time, but the crispness will be restored by microwaving it

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Chewy Okara Donuts

Additionally, the Okara Donut has a chewy texture with a hint of okara (soy pulp) flavor, and both are not too sweet, so you could easily eat several

Fuusetsu Hana's homemade soy milk waffles (160 yen each)

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The buttery flavor of the waffles is very appetizing

These Belgian waffles, made with a batter kneaded with soy milk, have an exquisite flavor thanks to the combination of butter and soy milk, resulting in a delicious treat

The surface is sprinkled with sugar, and its crunchy texture is delightful. Like a donut, it's a treat you could eat any number of


Here are some products I'd like to try again and become a repeat customer of!

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When I look at so many products, I want to buy them all and I can't decide

During this visit, there were many items I couldn't purchase due to budget constraints, which was a regret

These are the items I've decided to buy and introduce on my next visit

Baked soft tofu (600 yen per piece, regardless of the type of soybean)

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Five types of soft tofu made with different soybean varieties

Made not only with green soybeans but also with black soybeans, brown soybeans, and yellow soybeans, this zaru oboro tofu brings out the unique characteristics of each type of soybean, allowing you to enjoy the differences in taste

Yamasemi - A huge hit (650 yen)

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This is definitely my first choice next time!

This is a new type of soft tofu made from rare soybeans, which are of high quality but are grown by only a few farmers

The details of this soybean are not being revealed for various reasons, but it is said to be difficult to process into tofu, and this is the only place in Japan where you can taste it

Sweet Tofu Skin Creamy Croquettes (5 yellow soybeans: 1,100 yen, 5 green soybeans: 1,200 yen)

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Two kinds of croquettes that make it hard to choose

It's said to be delicious, with plenty of creamy yuba (tofu skin) inside, and especially when freshly fried, the sweetness is very pronounced

We have two types of croquettes containing yuba (tofu skin): one made with yellow soybeans and the other with green soybeans

Mountain sea urchin tofu (950 yen)

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In addition to mountain sea urchin tofu, many other related products are available

Tofu marinated in barley koji miso for six months offers a mellow miso flavor and a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture

Originally devised as a way to preserve tofu for extended periods, this delicacy is perfect as a side dish with rice or as a snack with alcoholic beverages


Flower of the wind <Information>

  • Store name: Fuusetsuka
  • Location: 236 Hotosaka, Hachimantai City, Iwate Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0195-72-8008
  • Opening hours: April to November 10:00-18:00, December to March 10:00-17:30
  • Closed: Open all year round
  • URL: Fuusetsuka Official Website

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summary

In addition to the various tofu and sweets mentioned above, "Fuusetsu Hana" also sells natto (fermented soybeans) and pizza made from carefully selected soybeans, which are also popular

In Morioka, where handmade tofu shops have disappeared, why not pay a visit to this shop, which has become a favorite among tofu lovers who become repeat customers?


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