10 souvenirs you can only buy in Hida Takayama. We have put together a selection of delicious gourmet foods that will let you feel the breath of the countryside.

*Prices include tax.

These adorable cat-shaped buns come in a variety of unique flavors.

The five cats are so adorable that you'll be warm hearted and satisfied just by looking at them, but they also have great potential as sweets. The tabby cat has a brown sugar dough with red bean paste, the black cat has a bamboo charcoal dough with brown sugar paste, the calico cat has a plain dough with matcha paste, the Russian blue has a black sesame dough with red bean paste, and the white cat has a plain dough with cream cheese paste. Not only are they unique in appearance, but each one is also delicious.

They are all handmade, and each one has a slightly different expression and pattern. They are inspired by stray cats living next to a Japanese sweets shop, and have become a hot topic on social media. They are fun to look at, and come in a variety of flavors, making them an excellent souvenir. They are sure to show off your sense of style.

Tohoen

A beautiful and unique pudding inspired by the snowy scenery of Hida Takayama

This pudding specialty shop, located in a corner of the old town, is so popular that there are often long queues during the peak season. The must-try is the "Snow Country Pudding," inspired by the snowy scenery of Hida Takayama. The pure white pudding, like a snowy field, is made using special eggs. The blue jelly on top is said to be inspired by the clear blue sky and diamond dust.

In addition to the standard "Takayama Pudding (Smooth)" with a rich vanilla bean flavor, the "Matcha Pudding" is also excellent, allowing you to fully enjoy the aroma of matcha. A wide variety of flavors are available.

Takayama Pudding Tei

This Junmai Ginjo sake uses Abelia yeast and has a smooth taste. It's a truly gorgeous local sake.

This Junmai Ginjo sake has a floral aroma and a fruity taste that lives up to expectations. It has a smooth taste like fruit wine, but is also impressively clean and crisp. It also has a full-bodied taste, so it would be great to have with Chinese or Western food.

As the name suggests, this sake uses Abelia flower yeast in its brewing process. Its originality has been highly praised. It comes with a can of small sweetfish from Gifu Prefecture pickled in oil, which goes well with the sake, making it a perfect souvenir for those who enjoy alcohol. It should convey the potential of Hida Takayama's local sake.

Takayama Specialty Products Center

It's a little different from yokan. A nostalgic sweetness unique to Hida Takayama.

This is a Japanese sweet made by mixing walnuts with a sweet bean paste made from domestically grown red beans, then steaming it to harden it and giving it a rich flavor. The soft and chewy bean paste and the large walnuts are fragrant and give it a crunchy and satisfying texture. A simple yet delicious treat that allows you to enjoy the perfect contrast between softness and crunchiness.

This unique flavor, slightly different from yokan, is unique to Hida Takayama, where preserved foods are deeply rooted. In addition to the standard smooth bean paste, there is also a matcha au lait flavor.

Nagaokaya (Hida Yamamiya directly managed store)

A homemade yogurt drink with a wonderful smooth taste and subtle sweetness.

This homemade yogurt drink is carefully made from fresh milk and can only be purchased at our directly managed stores. It has a refreshing taste with a light aftertaste. The subtle sweetness is complemented by the lively flavor and richness of fresh Hida raw milk. The expiration date is two weeks, but you may drink it all up in no time.

By the way, hot yogurt is also recommended in winter. Transfer it to a cup and microwave it at 600W for 50 seconds. Stir it with a spoon and microwave it again for about 20 seconds to make a hot drink with a mild flavor.

Homemade yogurt specialty store CowCow

A local rusk that captures the flavor of the specialty, made with great care from the baguette making process onwards

The crispy dough is juicy with soy sauce and just the right amount of saltiness. The local rusks also have a seafood broth flavor and are accented with dried spring onions sprinkled on top. They are so delicious you won't be able to stop eating them, and they are perfect as a snack or side dish with drinks.

Hida Takayama is famous throughout the country for its soy sauce ramen. Not only does this rusk contain that delicious flavor, but it also has a lineup of 11 different flavors, and even the manufacturing process is very particular. Apparently, they tried many baguettes in pursuit of the best texture when made into rusks. These carefully crafted rusks have now become a staple souvenir from Hida Takayama.

Takayama rusk with Azukiya Ishimoto

Pure and profound. This first-picked black tea embodies the charm of Hida Takayama.

Refreshing and not too bitter. This tea has a rich fragrance and fresh flavor, but it is not Darjeeling. It uses Benifuki tea, a Japanese variety that is a cross between Assam and Darjeeling tea plants.

By the way, first flush refers to the first tea harvested. The tea leaves, freshly picked in spring, are fermented in a unique way using the heat and steam from the Okuhida Onsen hot springs, resulting in a mellow, rich sweetness. The mild flavor makes this a great souvenir for those new to black tea.

Nabeshima Meicha

A simple, delicious treat made with time and effort. The perfect sweetness and texture will make you addicted.

The well-baked wheat flour has a good texture. The rich egg and sugar crackers create a crunchy texture that is satisfying, while the fragrant aroma of horse chestnuts tickles your nose. It has just the right amount of sweetness, so you can enjoy it like a dessert.

By the way, horse chestnuts are a nut that at first glance looks similar to chestnuts, but they require a lot of work to prepare. It takes up to two weeks, including the boiling process and changing the water many times. Why not try them and think about the hard work that goes into their simple yet delicious taste?

Utsuboya Manufacturing Factory Direct Sales Shop

A slightly sweet, medium-thick type with plenty of vegetable flavor. It's so delicious you won't be able to let go.

This is a local sauce of the medium-thick type that can be found in various souvenir shops in Hida Takayama. It has a light sweetness and is full of mellow flavor! You can definitely feel the presence of vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, onions, lemons, and apples. If you simply pour it over shredded cabbage and eat it, you will understand its true potential.

It can be used in a wide range of ways, such as pouring it over fries, okonomiyaki, or as a secret ingredient in curry or meat sauce, and since it is a sauce with a slightly different flavor from ordinary sauces, you may run out of it in no time. Buying in bulk is also an option.

Roadside Station Pascal Kiyomi

A taste of spring in Okuhida. Slightly bitter and fragrant sansho pepper and new shoots are boiled together.

This is a delicacy that can only be found in the region, made by cooking the flower sansho, which blooms for only one week in May every year, and the new sansho buds, commonly known as "kinome", with a sweet and salty sauce. The soft and slightly bitter flavor is a bit similar to that of rape blossoms, but the refreshing aroma of sansho that appears immediately afterwards and the subtle tingling sensation that soon comes are very appealing. Pair it with a crisp, dry sake or have it with rice, and enjoy the taste of spring in Hida Takayama in your mouth.

Okuhida is known as a producer of Japanese pepper. Japanese pepper, which can only be found around the hot springs, is characterized by its small grains and strong fragrance. You can purchase it at the company's own store, which also carries a variety of other processed products. Why not visit while you're in the hot springs?

Directly managed store with Hida Sansho

If you visit, you'll find that the scenic Hida Takayama, where the old townscape still remains, has a surprising number of souvenir shops. If you're wandering around town and wondering what to buy, it's fun to choose a souvenir that you can only get here. The many delicious foods nurtured by the rich nature and culture will surely make your memories of Hida Takayama stand out.

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