Buy Your Souvenirs In Izu! The Best 10 Gift Shops In Izu!

Izu, where you can find rich nature in Japan, has so many kinds of confectioneries including cakes and delicacies from standard ones to new ones that you cannot miss! Today, I will introduce the best 10 gifts you must get in Izu!

Cocco

“Cocco”, produced by Mihomi in Shizuoka, is a fluffy steamed bun made from fresh eggs and milk cream. Rich taste of eggs taste well with sweet milk cream! It does not matter how old you are, and this product has been loved by people for more than 30 years.

There are a wide variety of flavours from matcha to chocolate banana, and strawberry which is limited to the season. Some people even buy this for themselves to eat at home.

Mikan No Hanasaku Oka

A confectionery shop “Sekishuan” mainly in the northern part of Izu produces this baked cheese cake called “Mikan No Hanasaku Oka” that has a strong sour taste of orange. It actually tastes nice with a flavour of sweetness of cheese, and you will sure be addicted to this confectionery!

Besides, as the honey taken from the flowers of orange, slight sweetness is added too. The balance of richness, sweetness and sourness is just amazing. This is strongly recommended for a souvenir!

Kuramushi Manju

“Izu Ichinokura” in Izu Plateau is a confectionery shop where you can get home made confectioneries made from the natural ingredients. One of the most popular items here is a steamed bun called “Kuramushi Manju”. You can taste it on spot when it is still warm.

Its skin has a thickness of 8mm and is so chewy, and a combination of mashed and smooth sweet red bean paste is great. Needless to say, it is delicious when it is warm, but it still tastes nice when it becomes cold and that is why this product is suitable for souvenirs. If you have a chance to visit Izu, try get one!

Izu No Odoriko

“Mase” is a long established confectionery shop which was established in 1872. The shop has been extremely popular that it offers a room for tea making. There is a head store in Atami, and one of the most popular items here is called “Izu No Odoriko”.

As you might know, there is a famous novel by Yasunari Kawabata “Izu No Odoriko”, and this one obviously comes from the novel. White bean paste with plentiful walnuts is wrapped by shortbread. It goes well with not only matcha, but also other drinks such as coffee. It has been loved by the locals for quite a while, so why not get one not only for gifts, but also for yourself?

Kakitagawa Meisui Tokoroten

“Tokoroten No Izukappa”, a long established shop launched in 1872, is a shop specialising in Tokoroten made from Izu Amakusa as its name. Starting from the selection of Amakusa, they are quite particular about the process to make the authentic Tokoroten – “Kakitagawa Meisui Tokoroten”.

For “Kakitagawa Tokoroten”, spring water from Mt. Fuji, once chosen for one of the selected water in Japan, is used. A different sauce or dressing makes a different taste – and the texture is so smooth! For dressings, there are 13 kinds; vinegar, wasabi, sesame, and kuromitsu etc. A wooden stick allows you to have the fresh Tokoroten!

Oroshi Hon Wasabi

In Japan, there are 2 kinds of wasabi – “Sawa wasabi” grows in water, and “Riku wasabi” grows in a field. At the bottom area of Mt.Amagi where there is a plenty of water, it is counted as one of the largest producers of Sawa wasabi.

Shimizu town, located next to Izu, has a few companies specialising in wasabi called “Kameya Foods” which offers “Oroshi Hon Wasabi”. Freshly grated wasabi lasts for quite a while, and it sells with an affordable price. Other than that, they produce some products such as pickled wasabi and wasabi dressing.

Kibi Mochi

A traditional confectionery company “Tokiwagi Youkan” has its popular item, “Kibi Mochi”. “Kibi” is a low calorie rice plant having a chewy and soft texture, and they adjust its softness depending on the season.

Literally any generations would appreciate it if you get them for souvenirs. Moreover, there are no additives in it, so just be careful not to expose it to high temperature when you buy one!

Bushi No Ajisushi

“Bushi No Ajisushi” is a lunch box sold at Shuzenji Station on Izu Hakone Line created by “Maizushi”. A beautiful horse mackerel caught in the sea near Izu comes with rice produced in Shizuoka, natural wasabi from Amagi, and leaves of cherry blossoms from Izu Matsuzaki. They only use the freshest and locally grown ingredients for this lunch box. Ginger actually works well!

“Maizushi” has other popular menus such as horse mackerel rolls, and “Bushi No Wasabi Shamo Rice”. Those lunch boxes are full of the ingredients from Izu. Let’s enjoy!

New Summer Orange Jelly

One of the major local products here in Ito City is “New Summer Orange Jelly”, using a plenty of New Summer Oranges. New Summer Orange is a sweet, and sour fruit. Smooth and fresh texture tastes very nice and the secret of this jelly is, that they use alkaline ionized water. It just has a fresh finish.

Depending on the season, they can have other jelly products such as “Yamamomo Jelly” and “Guricha Jelly”. If you have a chance to visit Izu, this is a must-try place!

Unagi Pie

Located in Hamamatsu city, there is a popular company called “Shunkado” that produces the extremely popular confectionery “Unagi Pie”, being loved since its release in 1962. An extract of eels and garlics are added to the ingredients and fresh butter, and this is what you cannot forget once you are in Shizuoka! The process of making Unagi Pie has a long history and they are all homemade. A special sauce that pies are dipped into at last makes it even more special.

If you want one for adults, “Unagi V.S.O.P.” is strongly recommended although there are other items such as the ones with almonds or the ones in a bite size.

Let’s Go Buy Some Souvenirs In Izu, Shizuoka!

How was it? I have introduced the best 10 gifts in Izu, Shizuoka. Did you find your favourite one? It actually happens that you don’t have enough time to buy souvenirs when you think you would be able to get one at the end of your trip. When it happens, I hope this article helps!