If you're traveling in the Tohoku region, we recommend stopping by areas where you can enjoy local cuisine and sweets loved by the locals. Naruko Onsen, located in the northwestern part of Miyagi Prefecture, is famous as a hot spring resort where you can enjoy traditional local cuisine. This time, for those planning a gourmet trip in Tohoku, we will introduce Naruko's local cuisine, sweets made with local products, and noteworthy local sake. Please use this as a reference when exploring the Naruko Onsen area.
Local cuisine to enjoy in Naruko Onsen
One of the charms of Naruko Onsen is that you can enjoy local cuisine that has been loved by locals for generations. In this chapter, we will introduce three particularly popular dishes: ● Chestnut dumplings | A classic dish you must try at least once in Naruko Onsen ● Shiso rolls | Convenient as a side dish or a snack with tea ● Oni soba | Famous soba noodles made with the pure water of Onikobe Onsen All of these are local dishes that you should try at least once if you go to Naruko Onsen. Please use this as a reference.
Chestnut dumplings | A must-try dish in Naruko Onsen
Kuridango (chestnut dumplings) are a classic delicacy of Naruko Onsen. These dumplings consist of mochi (rice cake) wrapped around a whole chestnut, topped with a sweet and savory mitarashi sauce, resulting in an elegant and simple flavor. Kuridango were invented around the end of the Meiji era by Yoshimaru Fukase, the first owner of "Mochidokoro Fukase." Today, they are a staple treat available at "Mochidokoro Fukase" and souvenir shops throughout the town.
Shiso rolls | Convenient as a side dish or a snack with tea
Shiso-maki is a local delicacy of Naruko Onsen that has been enjoyed for a long time. One theory is that it originated when Lord Date Masamune had it made to entertain visitors to the hot springs. The basic shiso-maki is a dish made by wrapping Sendai miso in shiso leaves and deep-frying it. Shiso-maki has evolved over time, and you can enjoy a variety of flavors, such as adding sweets to make it a snack or mixing in chili peppers to make it a snack to go with alcohol.
Oni Soba | Famous soba noodles made with the pure spring water of Onikobe Onsen
Oni Soba is a local specialty soba noodle dish made from buckwheat grown in the Onikobe area. One of the restaurants in Onikobe where you can enjoy Oni Soba is "Okubo Shoten." At Okubo Shoten, you can savor Oni Soba made with mountain ingredients, such as Ino Oni Soba (wild boar Oni Soba), Kuma Oni Soba (bear Oni Soba), and Kinoko Oni Soba (mushroom Oni Soba). In addition to Oni Soba, you can also enjoy local mountain vegetables and river fish, making it a popular restaurant where you can enjoy the flavors of each season. At the mountain produce shop attached to the restaurant, you can purchase rare mushrooms, mountain vegetables, and bottled products.
Exquisite sweets inspired by local specialties of Naruko Onsen
This chapter features a selection of sweets inspired by local specialties. ●Blueberries | A famous fruit that can be enjoyed in many ways ●Kokeshi Monaka | A modern sweet inspired by tradition Both are sweets unique to Naruko. If you want to enjoy a dessert after a meal or as a memento of your trip, please refer to this.
Blueberries | A local specialty fruit that can be enjoyed in many ways.
Osaki City in Miyagi Prefecture, where Naruko Onsen is located, is a region where blueberry cultivation is thriving. The blueberries from Naruko Onsen are certified by the prefecture as being grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Some blueberry farms offer picking experiences and all-you-can-eat plans, allowing you to enjoy the seasonal flavor along with sightseeing. In addition, local farms and souvenir shops offer processed blueberry products such as jams, juices, and liqueurs, which are recommended as souvenirs of your trip.
Kokeshi Monaka | Modern sweets inspired by tradition
Kokeshi Monaka is an interactive sweet offered by "Cafe gutto," a popular and stylish cafe in the area. You can enjoy painting kokeshi doll-shaped monaka (a type of Japanese sweet) in the cafe's eat-in space. You can also fill your painted monaka with various fillings such as red bean paste, chestnuts, or ice cream. Kokeshi Monaka is a recommended sweet for those looking for a unique experience while traveling. No reservation is required for the painting experience.
Doburoku, a local sparkling sake born from the natural environment of Naruko Onsen.
Naruko Onsen is also known for its thriving production of local sake using locally grown rice and high-quality hot spring water and snowmelt water. The sparkling sake "Naruko no Kaze," made with the famous water sourced from Onikobe, comes in three varieties: ● Highland Lager…A flavor that highlights a slight bitterness and the richness of malt ● Wild Grape (Ale)…A smooth and gentle taste thanks to the use of wild grapes ● Yukimusubi (Ale)…Made with local Yukimusubi rice, it offers a champagne-like effervescence. In addition, Naruko Onsen offers "doburoku," a taste unique to mountain villages. "Oni no Doburoku Yukimusubi," made with Yukimusubi rice from Onikobe and local snowmelt water, is characterized by its light and easy-to-drink taste. It is perfect for enjoying while watching the moon or snow, and will also be a welcome souvenir for those who enjoy local sake.
If you're traveling around the Tohoku region, we recommend "Hotel WAMARE Onikobe".
For a gourmet trip around the Tohoku region, it's convenient to use Hotel WAMARE Onikobe, which also offers extended stays, as your base. As it's a private villa rental, you can enjoy a relaxing and private time. One of Hotel WAMARE Onikobe's accommodation plans includes dinner at "Bettei En." This attractive plan allows you to enjoy a colorful Japanese meal, the "Hakozen Course," made with local ingredients. When traveling to Tohoku, be sure to visit Hotel WAMARE Onikobe.
List of Contents