Akita Prefecture is located about 450 km directly north of Tokyo, and shares the same approximate latitude as Beijing, Madrid, and New York. People from Akita enjoy a close relationship with nature and cherish the surrounding mountains, forests and ocean. The prefecture boasts a wide selection of hot springs, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Shirakami mountain range, and many traditional festivals and regional cuisines that have been passed down through generations.
On the topic of local cuisine from Akita, there are various famous dishes such as Inaniwa Udon (an udon noodle dish that originated from the Inaniwa District), Ishiyaki dishes (dishes cooked on a heated stone) and Shottsuru Nabe (a fish sauce hot pot). However, the most famous dish is Kiritampo Nabe. It is a hot pot style dish with rich chicken broth, vegetables, and cut up pieces of Tampo, a stick of rice made from fragrant roasted mashed rice. The soup uses chicken broth from local Hinai chicken, one of Japan’s three most famous free range chickens, to create a soy sauce base soup that is light in texture but rich in flavour. Japanese parsley is a crucial component of this dish and when added, it creates another layer of taste. When the chunky and chewy texture of the chopped Tampo pieces are marinated in this soup, it creates a flavoursome dish loved by the locals in Akita.
Kiritampo Nabe is a dish born from the combination of productive rice paddies, cold climate and good quality water in Akita Prefecture. Fermented fish seasoning Shottsuru, and fermented foods such as Miso and Koji were all created as a means to overcome the long winters, and are still popular today in Akita.
Another specialty popular with the locals is Japanese Sake, which is best enjoyed with some local dishes. Sake is also another specialty born due to the climate of Akita. In Akita, one of the leading sake production regions in Japan, there are many historic breweries founded more than 100 years ago; and the tradition, techniques, and pride of the sake makers have been passed down continuously. The locally brewed sake and local Akita cuisine add an extra touch to enjoying the history of the region.
<Kiritampo Nabe>
This is a hot pot dish cooked in special chicken soup with local ingredients such as green onion, Maitake mushrooms, burdock, Japanese parsley, and mashed rice roasted in a tubular shape.
<Babahera>
This is a locally renowned ice cream sold by elderly ladies under parasols on the streets in summer. Some of these ladies have a special technique to scoop the ice cream into the shape of a flower, so if you come across one you are very lucky! The texture of this ice cream is similar to a sherbet. At times, there are long lines formed in front of the small stalls as locals seek out this nostalgic taste.
<Inaniwa Udon>
This is a specialty from the Inaniwa District in Yuzawa City located in the southern part of Akita Prefecture. The characteristic of this handmade udon noodle is the chewy and silky texture.
