Akita Prefecture is located in the Tohoku region of Japan's main island, Honshu — just south of Aomori and bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west and the Ou Mountains to the east. Thanks to its rich natural surroundings, Akita is known for its thriving agriculture and fishing industries, delicious local food, and stunning landscapes.

Getting to Akita is easier than ever, via domestic flights or the JR Shinkansen.

If you're arriving by Shinkansen, hop off at JR Akita Station, where you'll find department stores and souvenir shops nearby — perfect for picking up gifts before heading home. Flying in or out? Akita Airport has two souvenir shops and a duty-free store, so if you've got some time to spare, it's worth taking a look — you might discover some hidden gems!

Next up, we'll introduce five great shopping spots near Akita Station, plus the souvenir stores inside the airport. If you're souvenir hunting, these are the places to go!

There's no need to go far — there are plenty of great places to shop for souvenirs right around JR Akita Station!

Connected directly to the station is the Akita Station Building Topico & ALS. On the second floor of the Topico section, you'll find a variety of local specialty shops. This is a great place to grab popular Akita treats like must-try local sweet Kinman and soy-sauce senbei (rice crackers) from well-known rice cracker manufacturer Beikakusho Teian. You can pick up several classic Akita goodies all in one stop.

Just a 2-minute walk from the station's west exit is the shopping mall Fonte Akita. It's home to the trendy lifestyle store Loft, a favorite among young shoppers, and there's also a supermarket in the basement where you can stock up on local produce. There's even a Kinman store inside — super convenient!

Another great option, just a two-minute walk from the station, is Akita OPA. On the basement level, you'll find Daiso, a popular 100-yen shop, along with Threeppy, a store offering stylish goods starting at just 300 yen. On the first floor, check out Creta S, a food and beverage shop that sells trendy natural wines, craft beers, and a curated selection of local snacks and artisanal seasonings.

On the second floor of JR Akita Station, don't miss Omiyage-dokoro Komachien, a souvenir store offering a wide selection of Akita-made foods, sweets, sake, and traditional crafts. Whether you're after famous local specialties like Inaniwa udon, kiritanpo (rice skewers), or unique keepsakes, this is a one-stop shop.

Lastly, there's the Akita Prefectural Goods Plaza "Akitano" located in the Akita Atorion building — just a 5-minute walk from the station's west exit. This basement-level shop is packed with local products. If you're looking to stock up on Akita's best in one go, this is a great choice!

Akita Airport has a couple of great souvenir shops and a duty-free store, so even if you're doing some last-minute shopping, you're covered!

On the 2nd floor of the domestic terminal, you'll find two souvenir stores: Akita Airport Souvenir Plaza Gift Shop Aeru and ANA FESTA, operated by All Nippon Airways.

At Aeru, you'll find all sorts of local treats — from classic Akita snacks and sweets to farm and seafood products. Must-buys like Inaniwa udon, Kinman steamed cakes, and sweet, chewy butter mochi are all available here.

Just next door is ANA FESTA, which carries exclusive items like Golden Butter Mochi from Kawaguchiya, and adorable Hatahata fish-shaped pies, inspired by Akita's famous sandfish. There are also ANA-exclusive sauces, snacks, and travel goods — perfect for aviation fans!

For international travelers, don't miss the duty-free store, located past the security checkpoint in the international departures area. There, you'll find a selection of alcohol, tobacco, and other tax-free items — your final chance to shop before leaving Akita.

Pro tip: If you plan to shop at Aeru or ANA FESTA, be sure to arrive at the airport a little early. Both shops are located on the 2nd floor of the domestic terminal, just beside the departure gates. It's best to check in first at the 1st floor, then head upstairs to shop. Afterward, you can move on to international security without having to rush.

Morokoshi is a traditional Japanese sweet made by mixing red beans and kanzato (a type of fine sugar) and then pressing the mixture into a wooden mold. This treat has a long history, dating back to Japan's Edo period. The name 'morokoshi' is said to have originated from the Akita feudal lord who, after tasting the sweet, praised it for having a flavor that 'surpasses all other wagashi (Japanese sweets),' giving it the name.

One of the top local wagashi shops in Akita, Kaoru-do (a century-old store), has created a modern version of this classic treat —One-Bite Morokoshi 'Robata.' They've made the traditional morokoshi bite-sized for easier enjoyment and refined the purity of the kanzato, making it melt even more smoothly in your mouth.

Green Soybean Dragees are a delightful treat featuring edamame (young soybeans) coated in Belgian white chocolate. These edamame are made from the Akita Kogo Yoka variety, known for its large size and rich flavor. After being freeze-dried, each bean is individually wrapped in high-quality white chocolate. The result is a perfect balance between the creamy sweetness of the chocolate and the savory taste of edamame, without one overpowering the other.

The green-coated dragees are made with edamame, while the pink, yellow, and white ones use almonds. This mix lets you enjoy both the rich flavor of edamame and the nuttiness of almonds in one box. The petite, cute shape and elegant packaging also help make this an ideal souvenir gift!

When you think of Akita, you can't forget the Akita Inu (Akita dog). Known for their adorable looks and loyal nature, Akita dogs have won hearts worldwide. In fact the famously dog, Hachiko, who's commemorated with in Shibuya, Tokyo, was an Akita!

Delightful Akita Dog Dorayaki (Mofu Dora) features a cute Akita dog design on the packaging and is made by Rogetsudo, a nearly 100-year-old wagashi shop. Different from usual baked dorayaki, this version is steamed, giving it a moist, soft texture. The outer later, flavored with brown sugar and decorated with an image of an Akita dog's tail, has a subtle sweet scent of brown sugar as soon as you open the package.

You can choose from two flavors: Red Bean Paste (tsubuan) – the classic dorayaki flavor, with homemade red bean paste that has a satisfying grainy texture. Perfect for red bean lovers! Or Red Bean Paste with Butter (Margarine) – this version has a slightly salty butter flavor, creating a delicious balance of sweet and salty. Both are a must-try!

Kinman has been a beloved Akita treat for over 70 years and is a must-buy souvenir when visiting the region. These traditional steamed buns have a honey and egg-based cake exterior, filled with smooth white bean paste.

Since its founding, the Kinman shop has adhered to traditional methods of preparation, with skilled artisans carefully baking each Kiman. After baking, the buns are placed in special wooden boxes to absorb steam and maintain their moisture. Because each Kiman is baked by hand using traditional machines, there may be slight variations, which adds to the charm of this artisanal product.

Currently, the shop only makes and sells Kiman, and they offer both boxes and individual buns. The individually ones have a shelf life of fourteen days, making them perfect for sharing with friends and family when you return from your trip.

If you want to taste Kiman right away, be sure to try the 'Nama Kiman' (fresh type) available at the flagship shop and other select stores. Though it has a shorter shelf life of only three days, it delivers an even more authentic taste.

If you don't finish your Kiman immediately and it becomes dry, the shop recommends microwaving it for 10-20 seconds at 500 watts, and the exterior will become soft again, while the filling will become smooth. Alternatively, you can pop it in the oven for 1-2 minutes, which will make the outside crisp and bring out the fragrance even more!

One of the famous traditional treats from Akita is butter mochi. The origin of this treat is said to date back to the time when hunters would venture into the mountains to hunt bears in winter. Due to the extreme cold, rice balls would harden quickly, but the addition of butter to the mochi helped keep it soft and chewy for longer, so hunters would take butter mochi with during their hunts.

The charm of this treat remains the same today: soft, buttery mochi with a satisfying chewiness. When you take a bite, the rich butter flavor fills your mouth, complemented by the chewy texture and just the right amount of sweetness, creating a delightful experience that's simple yet addictive.

Kawaguchiya, a local wagashi shop in Akita, sells Golden Butter Mochi, which is made with locally grown glutinous rice from Akita, along with butter, sugar, and egg yolks. Each bite is packed with a rich, creamy butter flavor. This popular treat even won the prestigious JR East Japan Souvenir Grand Prix in 2019, making it one of the most beloved souvenirs from Akita!

Akita is home to many delicious sweets, but the region's culinary charm goes far beyond that! Inaniwa udon, one of Japan's three major udon types, originates in Akita. Known for its smooth texture and slightly flat noodles, Inaniwa udon has been beloved for centuries. It's said that the feudal lord of the Satake clan would gift Inaniwa Udon as a prized present to others!

Founded in 1860, Sato Yosuke, a specialist in Inaniwa udon, still uses traditional methods to craft the noodles by hand. Patrons can enjoy freshly made udon at the shop, but they also offer dried udon noodles, so fans can easily cook it at home. The store offers family-sized packs, which are more economical. And if you're looking for a great gift, they also have beautifully packaged gift sets, perfect for sharing a taste of Akita with loved ones.

A local specialty, Iburigakko (smoked pickled daikon) is a common sight in Akita restaurants. Due to the region's geography and climate, Akita experiences heavy rainfall and snowfall in late autumn and winter, with shorter days and colder temperatures. In this snow-covered environment, the white daikon needed for making pickles can't fully dry before temperatures drop to freezing, so people used to hang them above their Japanese-style irori (a traditional hearth) to dry.

The heat and smoke from the irori would dry out the daikon, extending its shelf life. Afterward, the daikon would be pickled with rice bran, salt, and other seasonings to remove moisture, allowing the smoked pickled daikon to be preserved throughout the winter. In the past, it was a staple food for farming families.

While fewer families in Akita still make smoked pickled daikon at home, more and more food manufacturers are producing and selling it as a regional specialty. Today, you can easily find iburigakko in supermarkets across Akita. Whether as a side dish, as a palate cleanser, or paired with a drink, it's a treat that's sure to delight. If you're visiting Akita, be sure to pick some up as a delicious souvenir!

Kiritampo nabe (grilled rice stick hot pot) is a local specialty that every visitor to Akita should experience. On a cold day, sipping on a rich, chicken-based broth and biting into soft, moist grilled rice sticks is a true winter delight.

Reportedly, kiritampo nabe comes from the Daita and Kosaka areas of Akita, where a group of people working in the mountains to make charcoal and cut wood started out by mashing leftover rice, placing it on sticks, and roasting it. Over time, this evolved into the practice of adding grilled rice sticks to a chicken hot pot, evolving into the current dish.

Nowadays, restaurants in Akita typically serve kiritampo nabe paired with another regional delicacy, Hinai Jidori chicken. This combination brings together two of Akita's famous foods in one dish for a double treat! If you'd like to bring a taste of Akita back home to share with friends and family, you can buy Hinai Chicken Soup Base and vacuum-packed grilled rice sticks at souvenir shops in Akita and recreate this traditional dish in your own kitchen!

Kin-no-Teian is a type of rice cracker made from the premium Akita Komachi rice variety. Each cracker is carefully hand-baked, using a special blend of seasonings. The sauce used to season the crackers is crafted from the renowned Ishimago Honten brand, which uses first-pressed soy sauce 'Hyakujyu,' the traditional 'Ginjo Magozoemon Miso,' and a miso made from 100% high-functioning brown rice, 'Ishimago no Kinnokura.' A secret sweet miso recipe is also added to create the perfect balance. With all-natural ingredients, this rice cracker offers a simple yet authentic taste of Akita's finest flavors.

The peaches from the Kazuno region of Akita, known as 'Hokugen no Momo' (Northernmost Peach), are a late-harvest variety that can typically be found in the market around September. The region grows about 20 different varieties of peaches, but only those with a sugar content of 10.5 degrees or higher, and that meet the required size and color standards, are classified as Hokugen no Momo.

Thanks to the wide temperature difference between day and night in the Kazuno area, the peaches achieve a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.

Hokugen no Momo Peach Juice captures the delicious essence of these peaches in a convenient can, allowing you to easily enjoy the sweet, tangy flavor. Since it's not possible to bring fresh fruit back home, why not take a few cans of juice to savor the taste of Kazuno's best peaches?

The Akita Inu, once bred as a hunting dog, is a symbol of bravery and loyalty. When thinking of the loyal nature of the Akita Inu, many people recall the famous Hachiko statue at Shibuya Station in Tokyo. Hachiko, an Akita, waited for his owner at the station every day for over 10 years after his owner's passing, a testament to the dog's unwavering loyalty. To honor this touching story, the statue of Hachiko was erected at Shibuya Station.

The Akita Inu plush toys, launched by the Akita Dog Preservation Society, faithfully capture the features of this beloved breed. With their innocent eyes, triangular ears, and curled tails, these plush toys are irresistibly cute. The soft fur gives them a comforting feel, making them perfect for anyone looking for a cute and meaningful keepsake. After buying your fill of delicious treats, don't forget to pick up an Akita Inu plush toy to remember your visit! Adding a new furry friend to your collection is a wonderful way to bring home a piece of Akita's warmth.

If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and unwind, why not consider visiting Akita? With its delicious food, fresh air, and abundant outdoor activities, Akita is a perfect place to relax. In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossom viewing in Kakunodate; in summer, experience the famous Kanto Matsuri festival; autumn is ideal for taking in the stunning fall foliage at Hachimantai; and in winter, enjoy hot springs and skiing around Lake Tazawa. Every season offers unique experiences to enjoy. While you're there, don't forget to pick up some of Akita's most popular souvenirs so you can share the region's flavors and your wonderful memories with friends and family back home!