Recommended souvenirs from Hachirogata Town, Akita Prefecture! From famous Japanese sweets to tsukudani

Hachirogata Town is located in the northwestern part of Akita Prefecture. Lake Hachiro, which used to be the second largest lake in Japan by surface area, is famous as a mecca for fishing and even appears in old folktales. Fishing tournaments are held there, and in winter, smelt fishing is popular, attracting many anglers and tourists. When visiting Hachirogata Town, choosing the right souvenirs is definitely something to look forward to. The town offers many attractive souvenirs such as traditional Japanese sweets and local specialties unique to the region. This article will introduce some of the best souvenir recommendations from Hachirogata Town.

1. Hatae Confectionery’s “An-Goma Mochi”

Located near Hachirogata Station, Hatae Confectionery is a Japanese sweets shop famous for its An-Goma Mochi. The soft, fluffy mochi is generously topped with sweet red bean paste, and then covered with a thick layer of ground sesame seeds.

This confection is well known in Hachirogata Town, and many customers travel from afar to buy it, especially on weekends. The sweet bean paste has just the right amount of sweetness, and its combination with the fragrant sesame creates an irresistible flavor that you can’t stop eating once you start! The shop offers three varieties—red bean, sesame, and the combination An-Goma. They keep for three days when refrigerated.

Because of their commitment to freshness, the mochi is never pre-made. Thanks to a unique method, even after 2–3 days in the fridge, the mochi remains soft. An-Goma Mochi is not only a perfect treat for tea time but also a much-appreciated souvenir.

2. Fig Yokan

Hachirogata Town offers various sweets made with figs, a specialty of the Ura-Oomachi area, and among them, the “Fig Yokan” is particularly popular. Made by turning figs into a jam-like consistency and blending them with a small amount of white bean paste, the result is a yokan that feels more like a firm jelly. The delicate sweetness and aroma of the fig spread delightfully in your mouth—truly irresistible.

It has a long shelf life if unopened, making it an ideal souvenir or gift. It’s also affordably priced, which adds to its appeal. Packed with rich fig flavor, Fig Yokan allows you to fully enjoy the natural taste and umami of the fruit. Since fig-based yokan is rare, it’s sure to be a hit as a souvenir!

3. Magamo Duck Dishes

Magamo ducks have long migrated to Hachirogata during the winter, and hunting them used to be a seasonal tradition in Hachirogata Town. Hunters would sell the ducks to local shops in addition to keeping some for themselves, but because they were not easily caught in large numbers, they were somewhat expensive and not something everyone could always afford. However, around a dozen years ago, a cooperative began raising magamo ducks with the aim of making them a local specialty of Hachirogata, allowing them to be available year-round.

Although magamo is a bit more expensive than chicken, it has a unique flavor and is rich in vitamins. Magamo meat dishes include "nabe sets" that combine soup and ingredients, as well as "smoked" varieties, both of which make excellent souvenirs. Raised in a nature-rich environment where many wild birds migrate, the magamo ducks are full of flavor.

4. Tsukudani from Yasuda Co., Ltd.

Yasuda Co., Ltd. is famous for its tsukudani (preserved food simmered in soy sauce) from Hachirogata. Their tsukudani made with small fish such as smelt and icefish—specialties of Lake Hachiro—have been crafted using traditional handmade methods passed down since the company’s founding in 1931 (Showa 6).

Their unique local method of "nama-ni" (fresh simmering) involves cooking freshly caught fish right at the site of landing. This technique maximizes the flavor of each fish and preserves the natural taste and quality of the ingredients. Carefully made tsukudani using fresh small fish from Lake Hachiro, without losing their rich flavor, is truly a delicacy.

5. Iburigakko

In Akita, pickles are called "gakko," and when daikon radish is smoked and then pickled, it's known as "iburi-gakko"—a smoked pickle with a fragrant aroma. Due to the mountainous terrain, limited sunshine, and heavy snowfall in Akita, it was traditionally difficult to fully sun-dry daikon. As a result, the method of hanging radishes over fires to smoke them was developed, and "iburi-gakko" has long been valued in Akita as a preserved food.

Perfect as a side dish with rice or as a snack with sake, iburi-gakko is also ideal as a souvenir. In recent years, new products have been created, such as “cheese-gakko,” which combines cheese with iburi-gakko, and “iburi-gakko furikake,” a seasoning blend made by chopping and drying iburi-gakko and mixing it with white sesame seeds. This famous Akita specialty also pairs perfectly with curry or as a wine snack topped with cheese!

◎ Summary

Hachirogata Town in Akita Prefecture, home to the famous fishing destination "Lake Hachiro," offers many charming souvenirs such as the locally loved "An-Goma Mochi," the specialty fig-based "Fig Yokan," dishes made from magamo duck raised in the rich natural environment visited by wild birds, traditionally simmered "tsukudani" made from small fish caught in Lake Hachiro, and the Akita specialty "iburi-gakko."

When visiting Hachirogata Town for sightseeing or other activities, make sure to enjoy looking for souvenirs. If you're unsure what to choose, let this article be your guide.

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Recommended souvenirs from Hachirogata Town, Akita Prefecture! From famous Japanese sweets to tsukudani