10 recommended Japanese souvenirs you can buy in Yamagata and Yonezawa (food edition)

[Alcohol] Toko Junmai Daiginjo Fukuro Tsuri Yukimegami 720ml [Paulownia box included]

Toko Junmai Daiginjo Fukuro Tsuri Yuki Megami, brewed by Kojima Sohonten, a venerable sake brewery that has been in business since 1597, is an excellent product that won gold medals at the International Sake Challenge 2016 and 2013.

This exquisite sake is made using carefully selected sake rice grown in Yonezawa, and the drops are collected slowly and carefully from the bag. Please enjoy the fruity flavor and silky smooth texture.

Product Information

・Alcohol content: 16%

・Rice used: 100% Yukimeji rice from Yamagata Prefecture, perfect for sake brewing

・Rice polishing ratio: 35%

[Price] 5,940 yen

[Contents] 720ml

[Storage method] Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

[Shipping method] Room temperature delivery

[Alcohol] Toko Ginjo Plum Wine

The plum wine made by Kojima Sohonten, a famous sake brewer, is also excellent. It is the only brewery in Japan to have won three plum wine championships.

First of all, plums are very rare fruits that grow only in limited areas with sufficient seasonal temperature differences, such as Japan, China, and Korea. They are said to have been introduced to Japan in the 3rd century, and their fruit has been treasured as a preserved food and healthy food.

Umeshu is a drink made by steeping young plums and sugar in distilled alcohol. "Toko Ginjo Umeshu" is characterized by its gorgeous fragrance and fruity flavor reminiscent of peach and pear, making it unique among plum wines. Please enjoy this pinnacle of plum wine that has been loved in Japan for a long time.

Product Information

・Alcohol content: 11-12%

Ingredients: Shochu, plum, sugar

[Price] 500ml: 1,694 yen / 1.8L: 4,180 yen

[Storage method] Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.

[Shipping method] Room temperature delivery

[Alcohol] [Limited Edition] Junmai Daiginjo "Gokotai" 720ml (with acrylic sword charm)

This Junmai Daiginjo sake, brewed by Kosaka Sake Brewery in Yonezawa City, comes with a limited edition label featuring a Japanese sword motif.

The motif of the label is the famous sword "Gokotai", which has been passed down for generations to the Uesugi clan, a samurai family that ruled the Yonezawa domain. This special edition bottle features an illustration of Gokotai on the label and also comes with a miniature Japanese sword charm (made of acrylic).

This product, which allows you to experience both Japanese sake and samurai culture at the same time, is the perfect souvenir from Japan.

Product Information

[Price] 4,950 yen

[Volume] 720ml (with acrylic charm)

[Shipping method] Room temperature delivery

[Sweets] Yonezawa specialty confectionery: Uesugi Gotensui (12 pieces)

"Uesugi Gotensui," made by Nagaoka Confectionery, a confectionery shop beloved by local residents, is a famous confectionery representative of Yonezawa. It is a crispy crust sandwiched with plenty of walnut paste. Its deliciousness and satisfying texture have led to many repeat customers. It can be stored at room temperature and has a long shelf life, making it an ideal souvenir for multiple people.

Product Information

[Price] 8 pieces: 1,850 yen / 12 pieces: 2,750 yen

[Best before date] 60 days from date of manufacture

[Storage method] Store away from direct sunlight, high temperatures and humidity.

[Shipping method] Room temperature delivery

[Sweets] Monaka "Denba Chestnut" with chestnuts

Monaka is a Japanese sweet consisting of bean paste sandwiched between a crispy skin made from glutinous rice. "Denba Kuri" is a cute item with a skin shaped like a chestnut. Regular "Denba Kuri" is a product that only has bean paste sandwiched in between, but Uesugi Joshien in Yonezawa City sells limited edition "Denba Kuri" with chestnut inside. Many customers from inside and outside Yonezawa visit in search of the luxurious "Denba Kuri" that contains a large whole chestnut. Please enjoy the refined sweetness of the bean paste and chestnut.

Since the expiration date is very short at only six days, we recommend purchasing it just before you depart for home.

Product Information

[Price] 6 pieces: 1,932 yen / 10 pieces: 3,220 yen

[Best before date] 6 days from date of manufacture

[Storage method] Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, high temperatures and humidity.

[Shipping method] Room temperature delivery

[Sweets] Yonezawa Rice Flour Baumkuchen [Amber] -KOHAKU-

"Yonezawa Rice Flour Baum" is a gluten-free Baumkuchen made with rice flour instead of wheat flour. "Amber" is a hard Baumkuchen that is crispy yet chewy. The more you chew it, the more the flavor of the fermented butter spreads.

The manufacturer is KOMFORTA, a rice flour specialty cafe in Yonezawa City, which is popular for its products made with rice flour from Yonezawa.

This is a product that we would recommend to anyone with a wheat flour allergy or the health conscious.

Product Information

[Price] 1,800 yen

[Contents] 1 piece (diameter approx. 13 cm x height approx. 4 cm)

[Best before date] 30 days from date of manufacture

[Storage method] Store away from direct sunlight, high temperatures and humidity.

[Shipping method] Room temperature delivery

[Condiments] Assorted "Umaitare"

"Umaitare" is a standard seasoning that can be said to be indispensable in Yonezawa households. It is a soy sauce-like seasoning with bonito stock, and with just one bottle you can recreate the taste of Japanese food. It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as seasoning soups and simmered dishes, and as a sauce for noodles. If you want to enjoy the taste of Japanese food at home, be sure to buy it.

Product Information

[Price] 1L x 3 bottles: 3,078 yen / 1L x 4 bottles: 4,104 yen

[Best before date] 10 months from date of manufacture

[Storage method] Store away from direct sunlight.

[Shipping method] Room temperature delivery

[Meal Kit] Chicken Chinese food, 2 servings x 20 bags

"Tori Chuka" is a local ramen from Yamagata Prefecture that combines Japanese soba soup with Chinese noodles. This product is a very popular instant noodle that faithfully reproduces the deliciousness of the restaurant's "Tori Chuka". It has been featured in many media outlets, and due to its popularity, it was difficult to obtain at one point. The soy sauce soup with a Japanese-style dashi stock and the straight noodles that are easy to swallow are a perfect match. It's a delicious dish that you should definitely try.

This product is made of dried noodles, making it an ideal souvenir. As the noodles and soup are included in the set, you can easily enjoy the taste of a Japanese restaurant.

Product Information

[Price] 7,760 yen

[Contents] 2 servings (260g (180g noodles)) x 20 bags

[Best before date] Approximately 1 year from the date of manufacture

[Storage method] Store away from direct sunlight, high temperatures and humidity.

[Shipping method] Room temperature delivery

[Meal Kit] Yonezawa Ramen 5 servings with soup [Fresh noodles type]

Yonezawa ramen is a local food beloved by Yonezawa residents. The chewy, thin, curly noodles and light soy sauce soup are a taste you will never tire of, no matter how many times you eat them. For those who want to enjoy Yonezawa ramen at home, we recommend Uesugi Joshien's original souvenir "Yonezawa ramen 5 servings with soup." Since it is fresh noodles, it does not have a long shelf life, but you can make it into restaurant-quality noodles by simply boiling it in hot water. Since it comes with soup, no seasoning is required. Please enjoy the taste that represents Yonezawa at home.

Product Information

[Price] 1,341 yen

[Contents] 5 servings (130g noodles) with soup

[Storage method] Store away from direct sunlight, high temperatures and humidity.

[Best before date] 10 days from date of manufacture

[Shipping method] Room temperature delivery

[Meal Kit] Yamagata specialty ball konnyaku (box) 750g

"Tama konnyaku" is a round konnyaku with a diameter of about 3 cm. Seasoned with soy sauce and other ingredients and skewered, "tama konnyaku" is a gourmet food that can be often seen at tourist spots in Yamagata Prefecture.

This product is a set that includes konnyaku balls, a special sauce, and mustard. You can enjoy freshly made konnyaku balls by boiling them at home.

Product Information

[Price] 1,188 yen

[Contents] 750g (30 pieces) of konnyaku balls, with special sauce and mustard

[Storage method] Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight.

[Shipping method] Room temperature delivery

You can purchase it at Uesugi Joshien!

All 10 of the products introduced here can be purchased at Uesugi Joshien, a tourist souvenir shop located next to Uesugi Shrine. One of the joys of this trip is choosing a food item unique to Yonezawa as a souvenir while looking back on your trip. Be sure to stop by at the end of your trip and find your favorite souvenir at Uesugi Joshien.

Uesugi Joshien Store Information

Business hours (product floor): Open all year round 9:30-17:30

Address: 1-1-22 Marunouchi, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, 992-0052

Phone number: 0238-23-0700

Official website: https://www.uesugijoshien.jp/