Irresistible Souvenirs! 6 Must-Buy Items When Visiting Tomakomai

Want to fully enjoy your trip to Hokkaido? To make the most of your time there, researching souvenirs beforehand is a must. This time, we’ll introduce a wide range of souvenirs unique to Tomakomai—from classic local specialties to the rising popularity of local mascot character goods. Picture your friends, family, or coworkers while checking these out!

1. Yoitomake

“Yoitomake,” a souvenir with over half a century of history in Tomakomai, is often called “Japan’s most difficult-to-eat sweet.” It is a roll castella cake coated with jam made from Haskap berries, a specialty of Hokkaido.
When you try to eat it by hand like an ordinary roll cake, it gets sticky, but its irresistible flavor keeps you coming back for more. The sweet-and-tangy uniqueness of the Haskap berry makes it a long-time favorite loved by locals.
Tomakomai was once home to many naturally growing Haskap berries. This local flavor, born from the land of Tomakomai, is sure to be appreciated as a Hokkaido souvenir. At “Mitsuboshi,” the shop that sells Yoitomake, you can also find many other Haskap sweets—definitely worth checking out when you visit.

2. Powder Snow Guimauve

For those who love something new and unique, this is the souvenir to try. With a fluffy melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with a chewy springiness, it’s truly a new type of sweet.
“Guimauve” is the French word for marshmallow, but “Powder Snow Guimauve” is an original creation with a three-layer structure: fresh marshmallow combined with sponge cake! This gives it a special texture you can’t find elsewhere.
It comes in two flavors: rich white chocolate cheese and tangy Haskap, unique to Tomakomai. Its colorful and elegant appearance makes it perfect for gifts to women or workplace colleagues.

3. Utonai Lake Swan Manju

Along the national highway between Tomakomai and New Chitose Airport lies Lake Utonai, one of Tomakomai’s sightseeing spots, where geese and swans can be observed year-round. Next to it is “Michi-no-Eki Utonai Lake,” a roadside station where the popular souvenir “Utonai Lake Swan Manju” is sold.
These manju, modeled after the swans visiting the lake, are filled with Haskap bean paste—refreshingly sweet with a tangy accent, perfect for adults.
They are produced by Tomakomai’s Japanese sweets shop “Saika,” but can only be purchased at Michi-no-Eki Utonai Lake. Reasonably priced, they’re great both for personal treats and as shareable souvenirs.

4. Hokkigai Curry

Tomakomai ranks number one nationwide for surf clam (hokkigai) catches! As a result, many local dishes feature this ingredient.
For those who want to take a taste of Tomakomai’s seafood home, the “Hokkigai Curry” from Marutoma Shokudo inside Tomakomai’s Public Wholesale Market is highly recommended. When it comes to hokkigai curry in Tomakomai, this is the place! And now you can buy it as a souvenir.
It comes in a retort pack, making it easy to store and perfect as a gift for anyone. It’s sure to delight the recipient.

5. Oji Salmon Smoked Salmon

This is a luxurious souvenir only possible in Tomakomai, close to the sea. Founded in 1967, the long-established smoked fish shop “Oji Salmon” offers many products made from carefully selected salmon sourced from around the world. After being gutted immediately upon catch and flash-frozen, the salmon are processed at the Tomakomai factory by skilled artisans, ensuring superb freshness.
In particular, the rare “offshore wild salmon,” caught off Kamchatka and processed right on the boat, is transported directly to Hokkaido for production. This results in salmon rich in aroma and flavor, with firm flesh and perfect fat content. Whether as a snack, in salads, or in other dishes, it’s delicious. Its elegant packaging also makes it an excellent gift.

6. Local Mascot “Toma Chop” Goods

“Toma Chop” is Tomakomai’s local mascot character. It’s an adorable swan-like figure with a tail shaped like an iris flower, a necklace of Haskap berries, and a surf clam hat. Though from Utonai Lake, famous for its swans, Toma Chop ironically can’t swim—but instead, it’s great at skating, fitting for winter-sports-loving Tomakomai.
At “Michi-no-Eki Utonai Lake,” you can find plenty of Toma Chop goods. Beyond the standard keychains, towels, and mugs, you’ll also find masking tape, pens, stationery, as well as snacks and drinks. Families with small children will especially appreciate these souvenirs. For more products and store details, see the official page below.

◎ Summary

From sweet treats to local dishes, snacks to pair with drinks, and even mascot character goods—Tomakomai offers a wide variety of souvenirs. Instead of hesitating at the moment, doing some research beforehand helps you enjoy your trip smoothly. Choosing souvenirs while thinking about the people you’ll give them to is part of the fun. When visiting Tomakomai, be sure to use this guide as a reference.