Recommended local sweets in the Towada area
From locally produced ice cream that you can see the producer's face to baked sweets that make great souvenirs using Aomori's famous apples, we introduce stores where you can find sweets unique to the Towada area. There are also roadside stations where you can stop by casually, and wonderful cafes where you can enjoy the view of Lake Towada.
1Soma Confectionery
Apple pie with a bold topping of Aomori apples
This store has been in business for over 45 years since my father's generation, and is a purveyor of local people. It sells homemade Japanese and Western sweets such as madeleines and monaka. The "apple pie" is especially popular, with customers coming from outside of the prefecture to buy it. The apple pie is not only delicious, but also visually gorgeous, with two slices of apple in the center. The apples used are basically "Kogyoku" apples produced in Aomori Prefecture, which are rich in sweetness and acidity. Depending on the season, the apples may be changed to "Akane" apples, which are descended from "Benidama" apples. The apples are not boiled in sugar, but baked raw on top of the pie, allowing the full flavor of the apples to be appreciated.
Famous confections that have won in national confectionary competitions are also popular
Today, the specialty is "apple pie," which was started by the second generation who trained at a confectionery store in Tokyo, but the "Towada Apple Cake" is also widely loved by old-time customers. This baked cake, made with a recipe inherited from his father, won an honorary gold medal at the 20th National Confectionary Exposition, and is a well-known gem among those in the know. The buttery sponge dough is filled with apples soaked in syrup. In addition to being sold individually, it is also available in a decorative box, making it ideal as a gift.
- Soma Confectionery
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22-7 Nishijuichiban-cho, Towada-shi, Aomori MAP
Approximately 21 minutes from JR Shichinohe-Towada Station by car
Approximately 26 minutes from Misawa Station on the Aomori Railway by car.
From JR Shichinohe-Towada Station, approx. 35 min. on the Towada Kanko Dentetsu Bus bound for Mitsumotsuki Office, approx. 11 min. walk from Kanchogaidori Bus Stop.
8:00-19:00
Closed on weekends and holidays
0176-23-4841
Free of charge
2Handmade Gelato Shop NAMIKI
Original gelato made with freshly squeezed milk and local produce
This gelato store was opened by Kaneko Farm, a farm in Shichinohe Town, Aomori Prefecture. Using fresh milk from Jersey cows raised by the farm, the gelato is handmade every morning, just for the portion to be served that day. Jersey cows are known for their rich milk. After milking, the milk is pasteurized to create a rich, full-flavored gelato. In addition, local vegetables and fruits are mixed and arranged into a variety of flavors. In addition to the eight standard flavors, including the most popular "Jersey Milk" and "Cheese," there are always three limited-time offerings such as "Apple," "Cassis," "Pumpkin," and others.
Gourmet farm products for lunch and souvenirs are also available.
Souvenirs lined up in the coffee shop space include rape blossom honey, rapeseed oil, Aomori blueberry jam, and beef jerky. The items are made from ingredients grown on the farm and are specially prepared by "Kaneko Farm.
Next to the restaurant is "Ranch Gohan NARABI" where you can enjoy lunch made with beef from the farm, such as steaks and hamburgers.
After lunch, head to the lawn. Visitors can relax while enjoying the view of Mt. Hakkoda and corn fields.
- Handmade Gelato Shop NAMIKI
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- 69 Aza-Tachinogashira, Shichinohe-cho, Kamikita-gun, Aomori MAP
- Approximately 7 minutes from JR Shichinohe-Towada Station by car
- 10:00-18:00 (Oct-May ~17:00) *Close when milk runs out.
- Open all year round *Special holidays apply.
- 0176-62-2646
- Free of charge
3Lake Towada Marine Blue
A mouth-watering apple pie with the flavor of a whole apple
The café offers a relaxing setting with a view of Lake Towada. The signature item on the menu is "homemade apple pie" made from Fuji and other apples grown in the prefecture. Inside the pie is a whole apple made into a compote. The pie is made without cinnamon and is not too sweet, giving it a rustic flavor that reminds one of the deliciousness of the ingredients. Although the dish is hearty, it is light and easy to eat, so even women can enjoy it easily.
The handmade apple sorbet is also highly recommended. It is made with apple syrup and lemon juice, and has a concentrated apple flavor.
Lakeside café with a full range of leisure activities on the lake
The cafe is located in Towada Hachimantai National Park, where Lake Towada is located. It stands on the shore of the lake and is surrounded by rich nature. The building has a woody taste that blends well with the scenery. It is made of Aomori hiba (cypress) and Akita cedar, and has glass walls on three sides for a view of the lake.
On a clear day, be sure to go outside. On the terrace, you can enjoy the seasonal views of fresh greenery in spring and autumn leaves in fall, and there is also a barbecue area for a fee. There is also a pier in front of the restaurant, where you can enjoy boating, such as hand-pulled boats and swan boats.
- Lake Towada Marine Blue
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- Towadako Okudaira, Kosaka-cho, Kazuno County, Akita Prefecture MAP
- Approx. 77 min. by car from JR Shichinohe-Towada Station
Approx. 85 min. from Misawa Station of Aoimori Railway by car. - Late April - Early November 8:00-18:00
- No holidays
- 0176-75-3025
- Free of charge
Reservations not accepted (reservations for take-out are accepted)
4Towada Towada Pia Roadside Station "Takumi Kobo
Towada vegetables and fruits made into soft-serve ice cream
This soft-serve ice cream stand is located in the "Takumi Kobo" Experience Facility at "Michi no Eki Towada/Towada Pia" (Roadside Station Towada). The specialty is "Noi ice cream" made from Towada's agricultural products; there are two types, one of which is kneaded with Towada-grown rice, "Mashugura". The first is made with Towada-grown rice "mashugura," which has a smooth texture, low sweetness, and a refreshing aftertaste.
The other is soy milk flavored with locally grown soybeans "Oosuzu," and comes with sauces and toppings arranged with seasonal fresh produce. The most popular are the sauce made from spring-digged yams colored pink with beets and the blueberry topping that appears from summer to fall.
Ingredients used for "Noh Ice Cream" are sold at the produce corner
The sauces and toppings used at Oosuzu are all seasonal ingredients. They vary from yam in the spring, blueberries and tomatoes in the summer, apples in the fall, and sweet, yellow kinbi carrots in the winter. Another popular item is the "vegetable shake," a healthy and delicious blend of seasonal vegetables and yogurt.
These vegetables can also be purchased at the direct sales corner of the "Michi no Eki Towada/Towada Pia" (Roadside Station Towada). Instead of "Noh Ice Cream," why not take home fresh vegetables and fruits directly from local farmers as a souvenir?
- Roadside Station Towada, Towada Pia
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- 37-2, Hirakubo, Denboji, Towada-shi, Aomori MAP
- Approximately 26 minutes by cab from Misawa Station
Approx. 30 min. by cab from Shichinohe-Towada Station - Center House open 7:00 - 20:00 (8:00 - 19:00 from November to March), other hours vary according to Property.
- Open every day (Takumi Workshop is open on Mondays, or the following day if Monday is a national holiday)
- 0176-28-3790
- Free of charge
- Free of charge
MAP
- Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
Local Guide who was in charge of this article
- Akari Nakanowatari hahaki gourmet girls
Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
Towada, Aomori Prefecture- Oirase Keiryu Hotel by Hoshino Resorts
- The only resort hotel built on the banks of the Oirase mountain stream. You can enjoy the nature of the national park throughout the year.
Misawa, Aomori Prefecture- Aomoriya by Hoshino Resorts
- Hot spring ryokan where you can fully experience Aomori culture such as festivals, hot springs, and local performing arts.