4 Recommended Souvenirs to Choose from at Kaminoyama Onsen, a Popular Tourist Spot in Yamagata Prefecture

Kaminoyama City in Yamagata Prefecture is a town with a population of about 31,000, located next to Yamagata City. There are many hot springs scattered throughout the different areas of the city, collectively known as Kaminoyama Onsen.

So, what kinds of souvenirs can you find in Kaminoyama City? As expected from a hot spring town, sweet treats like manju (steamed buns) and dango (rice dumplings) are a must. This time, we’ll introduce four recommended souvenirs, focusing mainly on classic sweet treats.

1. Nakajo Manju

A must-have in any hot spring area is the famous onsen manju! Nakajo Manju, located in the Shin-yu onsen town of Kaminoyama Onsen, is a long-established manju shop founded at the end of the Edo period. It’s a well-known store that everyone in Kaminoyama knows.
Their signature product, also named Nakajo Manju, features a thin, moist skin kneaded with brown sugar, and the smooth red bean paste inside has a refined and gentle sweetness.
When you visit the store, you can see the steam rising from the freshly steamed manju even from afar, giving you that unique onsen town atmosphere. If you go early in the morning, you can even enjoy the freshly made manju. These famous manju are often served as a tea snack at onsen inns, so their taste is guaranteed. Highly recommended if you're looking for a classic souvenir that everyone will love!

2. Kaminoyama Dango

Located right in front of JR Kaminoyama Onsen Station, Okashitsukasa Dango Honpo Takahashi offers freshly made dango as its most popular product. They steam and pound freshly milled Uruchi rice (Haenuki variety from Yamagata Prefecture) every morning and carefully shape each skewer by hand, giving the dango a chewy texture.
In addition to the basic soy sauce flavor, you can enjoy flavors like zunda (sweet edamame paste), chunky red bean paste, black sesame, and walnut. These can be savored in the attached café space, paired with matcha or coffee sets.
Since no preservatives are used, the dango should be eaten on the same day if you take it home. Be careful — they’re so popular that they often sell out quickly!

3. Honten! Kuroi Dora (Black Dorayaki)

Dango isn’t the only popular item at Okashitsukasa Dango Honpo Takahashi. Their Honten! Kuroi Dora ("Really Black!" Dorayaki) is another bestseller. The name, in Yamagata dialect, means "It’s really black!" — and you’ll be surprised by how black it looks.
The pitch-black dorayaki gets its color from edible bamboo charcoal and cocoa mixed into the batter. The classic black dorayaki is filled with chunky red bean paste made from 100% Tokachi-grown azuki beans. There are also nine varieties, including zunda cream, strawberry cream, fresh chocolate, and matcha azuki.
Limited-time flavors are also available, such as cherry bean paste made with plenty of local Kaminoyama cherries. With its striking appearance, this dorayaki makes a great souvenir for friends!

4. Kaminoyama Karinto

Kaminoyama Karinto from Daikokuya is also one of the popular souvenirs. Known for its natural flavor made with carefully selected ingredients, it’s a taste loved by people of all generations! Each piece is large, making it very satisfying to eat.
Besides Kaminoyama Karinto, Daikokuya also offers other perfect souvenirs like Kaminoyama Ageman and Kaminoyama Yubeshi.

◎Summary

What do you think? Everything looks delicious, right? When you visit Kaminoyama City, don’t forget to take home some sweet and tasty souvenirs along with your wonderful travel memories!