Three beloved local "onigiri specialty shops"! We've carefully selected these fantastic establishments that will make your weekday lunches and leisure time absolutely wonderful [Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture]

Where there is delicious rice, there must be delicious onigiri (rice balls) as well. In Koriyama City, in the central part of Fukushima Prefecture, a major rice-producing region, there are many unique onigiri specialty shops

Freshly cooked rice, carefully selected ingredients, and the warmth of homemade treats. Perfect for busy weekday lunches, as well as picnics on sunny days, these exquisite rice balls will satisfy both your heart and your stomach

This time, we'll introduce three carefully selected shops that our local writer confidently recommends

---

Top-notch name recognition! When it comes to memorable flavors, it's "Takeya"!

When it comes to specialty rice ball shops in Koriyama City, "Takeya" is probably the first name that comes to mind

The shop is located along an old-fashioned road in Domai-cho, Koriyama City. The exterior is very retro, with a green facade and a noren (traditional Japanese curtain) hanging in front of the shop. Customers keep coming in without interruption to this nostalgic shop that retains the atmosphere of the Showa era

You can check out the variety of rice balls through the glass window facing the street. Inside the shop, you'll find Japanese sweets such as daifuku in the display case, and individually packaged side dishes in the refrigerated case. You can also order rice ball bento boxes for takeout

The wrapping paper is made of paper, and its charming texture is also appealing

Recommended point ①: The "flavored rice & flavored sticky rice" are exquisite

Takeya's signature dishes are the "flavored rice" soaked in a mild soy sauce-based broth, and the "flavored sticky rice" with its irresistible chewy texture

The flavors of the root vegetables, fried tofu, and kelp permeate the entire rice ball, creating an incredible feeling of happiness! Even without any noticeable saltiness, the flavor is robust. The rounded, mellow umami can be enjoyed from start to finish

Of course, all of their other rice balls are also highly recommended, but when you visit Takeya, I would definitely like you to try their "flavored rice" or "flavored sticky rice" at least once

Recommended point #2: The side dishes are plentiful

Takeya also sells prepared foods. In addition to their popular fried chicken, they offer a home-style lineup of potato salad, dried daikon radish, simmered dishes, squid and carrot salad, glass noodle salad, and more—perfect accompaniments to rice balls

Reason #3 why I recommend it: It's very affordable

As of March 17, 2026, all rice balls are priced at 200 yen or less including tax. With soaring rice prices being a hot topic, I felt that keeping the price of rice balls under 200 yen was a great deal

The prepared foods are also portioned into easy-to-eat sizes and priced at around 200-300 yen each, making them very affordable!

My recommendations are "flavored rice or flavored sticky rice" and "fried chicken."

As mentioned earlier, the seasoned rice (160 yen including tax) and seasoned sticky rice (180 yen including tax) are absolutely delicious!

In addition, I highly recommend the fried chicken (320 yen including tax). Takeya's fried chicken has a fragrant ginger aroma and tastes delicious even when cold. It's perfect for lunch boxes! It's an excellent partner to enjoy with rice balls

*The product prices mentioned in this text are as of March 17, 2026

---

"Omusubi Ichiro" shines with its commitment to ingredients and techniques

Next up is Omusubi Ichiro. This shop offers both takeout and dine-in options

Located next to Kaiseizan Park, the store sits along the Inner Ring Road. Many people will likely remember its distinctive rectangular building

Highlight #1: A dining experience where you can savor the deliciousness of freshly made sushi

The best thing about Omusubi Ichiro is that you can eat freshly made onigiri right in front of you. Whether you eat in or take out some items, you can order freshly made onigiri with tightly taut nori seaweed. The nori has the crisp texture you'd expect from its appearance. It has a satisfying crunch and you can really taste the flavor of the nori. The rice is softly packed and fluffy

Recommended point #2: A wide variety of ingredients using carefully selected ingredients

Rice, seaweed, salt, and fillings. You can feel the difference from the very first bite; they really pay attention to the ingredients. I ordered a set of two rice balls: one with salted mackerel and the other with green chili pepper and meat miso. The juicy salted mackerel had a flavor that slowly permeated the rice... The green chili pepper and meat miso also had a refined taste, with a refreshing spiciness that tightened up the flavorful miso

Furthermore, there was a wide variety of fillings for the rice balls; as of March 18, 2026, there were over 20 different types to choose from

Recommended point #3: Takeout is also available

As mentioned earlier, Omusubi Ichiro also offers takeout. They sell individual onigiri or as bento boxes, so you can choose according to your needs. Enjoy authentic, carefully crafted onigiri outside the shop. It would be perfect for office lunches or potluck parties

We recommend the "Eat-in only set menu"

The eat-in only set menus offer a choice of 1 to 3 rice balls, each served with a small side dish and a warm soup. The set of 2 rice balls pictured starts at 990 yen (tax included). Additional charges apply depending on the rice ball fillings

Enjoy freshly made rice balls with carefully prepared side dishes and soup. You'll have a memorable dining experience where the deliciousness slowly permeates to the core of your being

*The product prices mentioned in this text are as of March 18, 2026

---

Sakura offers a wide variety of prepared foods

Sakura, located in Otsuki-cho, Koriyama City, is a popular restaurant that can be said to be a vital part of the local community's dining scene. Customers keep coming in from opening to closing time, not just at lunchtime

The pink building is easy to spot even from a distance, making it a good landmark for first-time visitors. The early opening hours are also a plus, allowing you to stop by before heading out or to work

Reason #1 why I like it: You can buy delicious prepared foods at reasonable prices

Sakura offers not only rice balls but also a wide variety of side dishes. Since they're portioned into single-serving sizes, it's fun to choose from them like you're at a buffet

The selection of side dishes mainly consists of home-style cooking, such as fried chicken and simmered dishes. There are also local dishes like squid and carrot salad, making it a shop that helps those "just need one more dish" moments on Fukushima's dinner tables

Recommended point #2: The rich flavor makes it easy to eat a lot

Sakura-san's rice balls and side dishes are characterized by their robust flavors, which seem to appeal to a wide range of people, from children to adults. The balance of sweetness, saltiness, and umami is excellent, leaving a lasting impression of the food

Furthermore, each rice ball and side dish is substantial in size, providing a satisfying experience

Recommended point #3: Their bento boxes are also popular

Sakura-san's bento boxes come in two varieties: one priced at 500 yen (tax included) and another at 600 yen (tax included)

The photo above shows a bento box priced at 600 yen (tax included). It includes two large rice balls and popular side dishes for this price. It's a great deal, isn't it? You can also order in advance, making it convenient for meetings and other occasions

My recommendation is the "salad croquette"

All the rice balls and side dishes are delicious, but the one I would like you to try is the "Salad Croquette." This is Sakura's original menu item. Macaroni salad is encased in a crispy batter

Your first bite might surprise you, but the contrast between the creamy macaroni and the fluffy batter coated in sauce is addictive. Try this one-of-a-kind flavor

*The product prices mentioned in this text are as of April 15, 2026

---

Let's take some rice balls with us when we go out!

This time, we introduced a beloved onigiri (rice ball) specialty shop in Koriyama City

The weather is becoming more pleasant, making it the perfect season for going out. Choosing your favorite onigiri and enjoying them at your destination is sure to be exciting. We hope you find your favorite onigiri and enjoy life in Fukushima!

---

Please support NEFT's article creation!

NEFT gathers and publishes articles about the history, culture, and tourism information of various regions in Tohoku

If you enjoyed this article, we would be grateful if you would consider supporting our future interviews, article creation, and website management

*Clicking "Tip" will open the tip sending screen for the external service "codoc"