Local Guide
 Five classic Asahikawa souvenirs that showcase the richness of the land

Hokkaido offers many delicious souvenirs, from seafood and ramen noodles to cheeses and snacks that go well with alcoholic beverages. There are so many popular lineups that you can get lost in the maze. When selecting souvenirs, it is important that they are easy to distribute. If you buy individually packaged souvenirs for yourself, you can enjoy them a little at a time, so you can savor the memories of your trip. Here is a selection of popular sweets from the Asahikawa area that are loved by locals of all ages and can be easily purchased at airports and supermarkets. There are also seasonal limited flavors, so be sure to check them out.

A savory baked pastry with white chocolate sandwiched between almond galette

 Kihana is made in the image of diamond dust. The galette portion has a crunchy texture that makes you feel as if you are walking on a snowy road.
Kihana is made in the image of diamond dust. The galette portion has a crunchy texture that makes you feel as if you are walking on a snowy road.

One of the features of Kihana is the textural contrast of the savory almond galette sandwiched between mouthwatering couverture white chocolate. The aroma of fragrant almonds bursts forth with each bite.
The product name comes from the seasonal word "kiribana," which means diamond dust, and many poets have composed poems on the subject. The almonds are used to express the kinky, icy cold of diamond dust, and the white chocolate represents the snow-covered plateau of Hokkaido. The fact that it has won the Monde Selection Gold Medal for 34 consecutive years also adds to its premium value as a souvenir.

Product name and price: Kihana (6 pieces) 1,000 yen (tax included)
Shelf life: 60 days.
All Tsuboya stores including Hanamadokan, Kihana no Mori, Sapporo Station, and New Chitose Airport.

Tsuboya Kihana no Mori
  • Address 19 Minami 6 jo dori, Asahikawa, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 10 min. drive from JR Asahikawa Station
  •  Business hours 9:30-18:00
    CAFE Bunroo 10:00-17:00(L.O. 16:30), Lunch time 11:00-14:00
  •  Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  •  TEL 0166-39-1600

The soft texture of the raw sablé can be felt only when you hold it in your hand.

 The moist sable, a new sensation loved by adults and children alike, is also available in seasonal flavors.
The moist sable, a new sensation loved by adults and children alike, is also available in seasonal flavors.

KURASEI" was developed through a process of trial and error to create a raw sablefish with a moist texture and smooth taste. The fact that it is carefully baked in a dedicated Kura-Sakai factory, without mass production, using flour selected with an emphasis on 100% Hokkaido flour and beet granulated sugar (beet sugar) that brings out a soft sweetness, is another major attraction of this premium souvenir.
In addition to the standard milk raw chocolate and white raw chocolate, the newest addition to the lineup is almond. In addition, they also make seasonal Kura-nama, so you can enjoy encountering limited products depending on the time of year you visit.
The gentle texture of these sablé sorbets is popular with adults and children alike, making them the perfect souvenir.

Product name and price: Kurasei (4 pieces) 540 yen (tax included)
Shelf life: 90 days.
Asahikawa Airport, New Chitose Airport, Hakodate Airport, JR Asahikawa Station

The Sun Kuranin Honten, a confectionery studio on the hill
  • Address Kaguraoka 8jo 1-chome, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 10 min. walk from JR Kaguraoka Sta.
  •  Business hours Weekdays 8:30-18:00, Weekends & Holidays 8:00-18:00
  •  Closed Open all year round
  •  TEL 0120-30-3961

The impactful name is also suitable as a souvenir of Hokkaido.

 The package design depicts an extremely cold snowy landscape.
The package design depicts an extremely cold snowy landscape.

One of Asahikawa's famous confections that has received numerous awards. The name comes from the lowest temperature in Japan, -41℃, recorded at the Kamikawa weather station in the early morning of January 25, 1902 (35th year of Meiji), and has a strong impact. Diamond dust, white snow and ice, and the frozen earth are expressed in this confectionary with a combination of white chocolate, almonds, and fuyaki.
It is delicious at room temperature, but locals recommend that you chill it in the refrigerator or freezer before eating it to include the world view. The sliced almonds are crispy and the white chocolate melts in your mouth. The contrast of textures is addictive, and many repeat customers enjoy this snack. It is said that only the corners where these sweets are lined up in souvenir shops look cool.

Product name and price: "41° below zero" (7 pieces) 713 yen (tax included)
Shelf life: 180 days.
Asahikawa Airport, New Chitose Airport, Hakodate Airport, JR Asahikawa Station

Takahashi Confectionery Co.
  • Address 13-1, Left 1, 4jo-dori, Asahikawa-shi, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 9 min. walk from JR Asahikawa Shijo Station
  •  Business hours 9:00-16:00
  •  Closed Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
  •  TEL 0166-23-4950

Crunchy chocolate sandwich cookies

 Wheat and sugar selected with an emphasis on Hokkaido produce produce a light texture.
Wheat and sugar selected with an emphasis on Hokkaido produce produce a light texture.

Kitakari" is a Hokkaido karinto shop that uses ingredients produced in Hokkaido as much as possible, and is particular about the quality of its confections. While karinto is their main product, their chocolate sandwich cookies "Yuki-Waiti-Hito," which sandwich chocolate between crispy cookies, are also very popular.
With its gentle sweetness and crunchiness, this product has been loved by many fans since its launch in 1986. There are two types, chocolate and white chocolate, and the secret of the texture is that each cookie is gently wrapped in a cookie. They are so popular and delicious that they are often purchased repeatedly as souvenirs from Hokkaido. They go especially well with coffee, so we recommend enjoying them with your favorite coffee. The Asahikawa main store offers a demonstration of karinto, as well as soft-serve ice cream and other items.

Product name and price: Snow, Wait, and Human (8 pieces) 648 yen (tax included)
Shelf life: 120 days.
Asahikawa Main Store, Asahikawa North Confectionery, Asahikawa Rengo-kai Kitakita, Asahikawa Airport, New Chitose Airport, Hakodate Airport, JR Asahikawa Station

Kitakari Asahikawa Honten
  • Address 4-1-5, Nagayama 3jo 4-chome, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 8 min. drive from Shin-Asahikawa Station
  •  Business hours 10:00-19:00 (L.O.D. 21:00)
  •  Closed Year-end and New Year's holidays
  •  TEL 0166-48-2144

Manjuu with a new sensation of a soft and chewy texture wrapped in light puff pastry dough.

 The combination of mochi, puff pastry dough, and sweet red bean paste creates an irresistible taste!
The combination of mochi, puff pastry dough, and sweet red bean paste creates an irresistible taste!

Umeya, a confectionery established in 1914, has been researching ingredients and flavors with the aim of providing the best cream puffs in Hokkaido ever since it developed its own unique fresh cream puffs in 1964. The new manju, which Umeya was able to create precisely because of its long history, is made from azuki beans produced in Shumari, which are aromatic and suitable for making red bean paste, and wrapped in mochi (rice cake) and puff pastry. The light texture of the manju is also attractive because of the unexpectedness of the hidden red bean paste wrapped in the mochi. The sweetness of the red bean paste is not too sweet, so it is recommended for those who do not like too much sweetness. 32 pieces are available, ranging from single pieces to 32 pieces, so you can choose just the right number of pieces to bring back home or to work. The outlet specialty store in Asahikawa's "Umeya Confectionery Shop" has been established, so you can enjoy buying souvenirs for home at a reasonable price.

Product name and price: Shumanju (8 pieces) 1,198 yen (tax included), each piece 129 yen (tax included)
Best-before date] 30 days
Umeya outlet stores, Asahikawa Airport, New Chitose Airport, Aeon Nagayama store, and Altimor Higashikagura store.

Umeya Outlet Store
  • Address 2-2-11 Takasadai, Asahikawa-shi, Hokkaido MAP
  •  Direction 10 min. drive from JR Chikamon Station
  •  Business Hours 10:00-17:30
  •  Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  •  TEL 0120-286-586/0166-61-7998
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.