22 Must-Buy Souvenirs in the Hokuriku Area

1. Mameya Kanazawa Bankyu [Ishikawa]

Bean snacks of Mameya Bankyu is a nice example of refined Kanazawa taste. Roasted beans and other ingredients are high quality as well as organic soybeans. The cute pictures on the paper containers are drawn by women in the Kutani area where colorful and beautiful Kutani porcelain are produced. You have several flavors to choose from: simple to modern chocolate-coated.

HP: www.mameya-bankyu.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-1 Shimbomachi, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa (Google Map)

2. Kingyokukan [Ishikawa]

Sold by several confection shops in various shapes, kingyokukan is one of popular Japanese sweets in Kanazawa. It is a soft jelly-like candy made of agar and sugar. To bring out the clear color without losing its beautiful shape, it takes few days to dry and certainly needs the hands of skilled confectioners. You can shop around the souvenir shops in the JR Kanazawa station for the best to buy.

3. Rakugan [Ishikawa]

Rakugan is a Japanese dry candy made of rice starch and sugar- often using refined Japanese sugar called wasanbon. Traditional confectioneries in Kanazawa has their own wooden moulds in various shapes for rakugan. You can enjoy candy hunting at souvenir shops in JR Kanazawa station as well as individual shops in the town.

4. Jiro-ame [Ishikawa]

Jiro-ame is a kind of traditional candy made from rice and barleycorn without sugar. Tawara-ya established in 1830 is the oldest candy shop in Kanazawa. The first owner invented Jiro-ame as a substitute for mother's milk. This natural sweetener is safe for babies and expectant mothers. You can use it for cooking as well.

HP: www.ame-tawaraya.co.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2-4 Kobashimachi, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa (Google Map)

5. Ukeian's Ukkokei Castella [Ishikawa]

Castella is a kind of soft cake made of eggs, sugar, and flour. The Ukeian’s castella is special because of its basic ingredient- egg. They use precious silky fowl’s eggs which taste rich and rich in nutrients. Refined sweet is not cheap as 5 slices cost around 1,500 yen. You’ll never regret taking a bite.

HP: www.ukokkei.co.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 4-2-18 Sainen, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa (Google Map)

6. Castella with Gold [Ishikawa]

If you prefer to add more refined and gorgeous taste to your souvenir, why don’t you go back to Mameya Kanazawa listed before for castella with gold leaf on top? In addition to gold, soft cake is delicately cut into the shape of a seasonal motif. It is a delight for eyes and palates!

HP: www.mameya-bankyu.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-1 Shimbomachi, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa (Google Map)

7. Takara-no-fu [Ishikawa]

Another fine delights from Kanazawa is Takara-no-fu. Fu, the specialty of Fumuroya, is wafer like cake made of wheat gluten. The cake cup contains dried vegetables and powdered soup. To enjoy delicious Japanese soup, you only make a small hole to the cake cup and pour the hot water into the bowl. It good to carry around as well.

HP: www.fumuroya.co.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2-3-1 Owaricho, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa (Google Map)

8. Kaga Bocha Tea [Ishikawa]

Kaga Bocha is a specialty of Kanazawa for long. Although kuki-hoji tea made of roasted tea stems can be found throughout Japan, it is different from others in every aspects. The color is brighter, the aroma is pleasant and never smells like burnt, and the taste is sweet and refreshing. Sold in tea bags with cute containers, it’s a must-buy to enjoy your tea time with Kanazawa sweets.

HP: www.japanican.com/en/special/info/kanazawa/souvenirs.html (中文)

HP: www.kagaboucha.co.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-26-13 Higashiyama, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa (Google Map)

9. Kaga Yubinuki Thimbles [Ishikawa]

Beautiful and colorful pieces are called Kaga Yubinuki, padded thimbles decorated with silk thread. It is said that seamstress of Kaga Yuzen, silk textile produced in Ishikawa, utilized the excess silk thread to decorate the thimbles. They can be used as lovely accessories such as rings and necklaces as well as sewing tools.

HP: kagatemari.com (Japanese Only)

Address: 2F Koideminami Bilding, 5-7 Minamicho, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa (Google Map)

10. Kaga Fishing Flies [Ishikawa]

Fly fishing was enjoyed by the samurai warriors of the region as a way of physical training. They made artificial flies for river fishing by using real feathers from wild birds. The delicate technique of fishing fly manufacturing is now utilized to make accessories as well.

HP: www.meboso.co.jp/index.shtml (Japanese Only)

Address: 11-35 Yasuecho, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa (Google Map)

11. Kaga Mizuhiki [Ishikawa]

Mizuhiki is a paper string specially made for traditional gift wrapping. Kaga Mizuhiki is an ultimate form of decorative gift wrapping. They make beautiful three-dimensional pieces using Mizuhiki with knots and without any fold. The pieces made by skilled hands only can obtain elegance. How about bring back one in a shape of accessory or a piece of lucky charm?

HP: mizuhiki.jp/index.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-1-36 Nomachi, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa (Google Map)

12. Kutani Porcelin [Ishikawa]

Kutani-yaki is one of the finest Japanese porcelain produced in the southern Ishikawa. The history goes back to the 17th century. Pottery over-glazed with vivid colors including gold in unique shapes has been loved by many. Small or big, antiques or works by modern artists- how about making a gallery tour in the town of Kanazawa for your best piece?

HP: asanogawayosihisa.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 3-1-30 Higashiyama, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa (Google Map)

13. Red Sea Cucumber Soap [Ishikawa]

High quality red sea cucumber is one of Noto Sea’s specialties. This soap was invented to utilize the waste in food processing of red sea cucumber. The extract has moisturizing effect good for dry skin as well. You can buy the soap at several souvenir shops such as Morishita in Kanazawa Hyakubangai at the JR Kanazawa station.

HP: www.namacosoap.com/ (Japanese Only)

14. White Shrimp Cracker [Toyama]

The white shrimp is tiny shrimp with transparent pink skin. It can be fished only in Toyama Bay and called the jewel of Toyama Bay. Crisp white shrimp cracker is so popular among locals that number of confections sell it. They are available at souvenir shops at the stations or in the town.

15. Kankontan [Toyama]

Kankontan is a quite popular sweet among locals and visitors in Toyama. The outside is fluffy sponge cake and the inside is rich custard cream melting in your mouth. This cake is made by a major local patisserie and can be a good souvenir for sweet lovers in all ages.

HP: www.lisblanc.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2-1-5 Sakaemachi, Toyama-shi, Toyama (Google Map)

16. Tsukisekai [Toyama]

Tsukisekai leterally means the moon. This traditional confection is made by the hands of skilled confectioners of the sweat shop established in 1897. Made with refined Japanese sugar, wasanbon, egg, and agar, the candy will melt in your mouth. It goes well not only Japanese tea but also English tea or coffee.

HP: www.tukisekai.co.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Kamihonmachi 8-6, Toyama-shi, Toyama (Google Map)

17. Owara Tamaten [Toyama]

Tamaten is the simbolic delicacy of the town of Yatsuo, which is famous for beautiful traditional townscape and autumn dance festival called Owara Kaze-no-Bon. Marshmallow like sweet is made mainly from egg white, sugar and agar. Several confectioneries in Yatsuo sell it and you can buy them at the JR Toyama station not to mention in Yatsuo.

HP: www.bunanomori.com/yatuo/kaze/kashi/rinsei-do/letter.html (Japanese Only)

Address: Yatsuomachi Higashimachi 2227, Toyama-shi, Toyama (Google Map)

18. Casted Items [Toyama]

Takaoka in Toyama has traditionally developed the metal casting techniques. Their beautiful and gorgeous looking products made of tin and copper is loved not only in Japan but overseas as well. One of Takaoka’s outstanding products is Nosaku's flexible wares. Made of 100% tin, this line is malleable and flexible. You can also check other fine tableware and interior decoration to satisfy your aesthetics.

HP: www.nousaku.co.jp/main/en/

Address: 46-1 Toidesakae-machi, Takaoka-shi, Toyama (Google Map)

19. Kerorin Items [Toyama]

Kerorin yellow buckets are quite popular in public baths across Japan. Some might notice it appeared in the manga or the film Thermae Romae. This bath bucket was originally distributed to bathhouses by one of Toyama's pharmaceutical manufacturer, Naiagai Yakuhin, to advertise their aspirin named Kerorin. Even if you don't care for Japanese aspirin, these cute color bath items will make a good souvenir!

HP: www.kerorin.com/ (Japanese Only)

20. Habutae Mochi [Fukui]

Habutae Mochi is a symbolic confection in Fukui. This smooth, mellow cake is named after Habutae, a smooth fine silk cloth which was specialty of the area. They are basically made of from rice, sugar, and starch syrup though recipes differ between shops. You can buy them at the PRISM Fukui, the shopping complex attached to the JR Fukui station.

21. Dinosaurs Items[Fukui]

If you are planning to visit Fukui Prefectural Dinosaurs Museum, don’t forget to check the museum shop for their original items. From dinosaur figurines for serious fun to cute items for casual souvenir, wide range of products of good quality and design can be found.

HP: www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/en/

HP: www.dinosaur.pref.fukui.jp/app/webroot/cn/ (中文)

Address: 51-11 Terao, Muroko, Katsuyama-shi, Fuku (Google Map)

22. Glasses made in Sabae [Fukui]

The Megane Museum in Sabae, Fukui is the best place to find the eyewear to suit your sense of style. The frames made in Sabae are quite popular among those in the know worldwide. Comfortable and well-designed frames are made with top-notch techniques. As the major production site in Japan, there are over 40 eyeglass frame manufactures in Fukui. Over 2500 frames of them are showcased at the museum.

HP: www.megane.gr.jp/museum/

Address: 2-3-4 Shinyokoe, Sabae, Fukui (Google Map)