18 Must-Buy Souvenirs in Nasushiobara | From Popular Items Available at the Station to Store-Exclusive Products

Located in the Shiobara Onsen hot spring town, Eitaro is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop with over 100 years of history. Their signature product, walnut monaka, is a treat made with fluffy bean paste from Hokkaido-grown white kidney beans, combined with chopped walnuts and finished with a touch of natural salt. The exquisite balance of saltiness appeals even to those who don't have a sweet tooth, and it's easy to see why it has been loved for so many years. The owner, who originally trained as a baker, started making homemade sourdough bread, "Yudane Bread," in earnest during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's a simple loaf made with yeast cultivated from grapes, apples, koji, and hops, using domestic wheat and ingredients from Nasu Shiobara. Since it doesn't use eggs or dairy products, it has a substantial and satisfying texture. It's a popular item, so advance reservations are recommended! They also offer nationwide shipping. Eitarou offers a delightful selection of souvenirs from Shiobara, featuring both walnut monaka (a type of Japanese sweet) born from trial and error during the second generation's era and homemade sourdough bread that has evolved over time. Walnut monaka can be purchased at the main store, as well as at the roadside stations "Agripal Shiobara" and "Meiji no Mori Kuroiso". Store Information Address: Shiobara, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 0287-32-2155 Closed: Irregular holidays Payment: Please check Official website: https://www.ankotarou8181.com/

"Okashi Tsukasa-dokoro Meijiya," a confectionery shop quietly nestled in the Kuroiso shopping district, was founded in 1868 (Meiji 1). Originally located in Kanda, Tokyo, it moved to this location and has continued to make traditional Japanese sweets rooted in the local community. The bean paste used in their signature onsen manju (hot spring steamed buns) is homemade using adzuki beans from Nasu. This commitment to carefully cooking the bean paste every day has remained unchanged for decades. "We've always made them this way," they said naturally, and I felt the pride of a long-established shop. In fact, I visited in the morning and was able to enjoy freshly made onsen manju! The warm, comforting taste spread slowly, filling me with an indescribable feeling of happiness. "Nasuno Bocca" is also a popular souvenir. This confection, which sandwiches fresh butter, is secretly popular not only for its packaging but also for the illustration. Many customers apparently buy it simply because they like the illustration. As a seasonal item, mugwort manju and kashiwa mochi were also available in the shop that day. Please enjoy our homemade flavors. • Store Information Address: Takasago-cho, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture (Kuroiso area) *Please confirm TEL: 0287-62-0444 Closed: Open all year round Payment: Please confirm Official website: http://nasu-meijiya.com/

Shiobara Onsen's local B-grade gourmet dish, "soup-filled yakisoba," actually varies greatly from shop to shop. This time, I tried two types as souvenirs: "Kobaya" and "Kamahiko." Kobaya's soup is mild and has a gentle flavor with a subtle pork broth. On the other hand, Kamahiko's soup is spicy and features a crisp chicken base. Some say it makes them crave beer, making it perfect as an evening snack. Which one you prefer is a matter of personal taste, but the best way to enjoy it is to try both at home. Another item I highly recommend taking home is "Shiobara Onsen Hot Spring Hopping Herb Tea." This blend uses organic herbs from various parts of Europe. The six types of herb tea, inspired by the effects of each hot spring source in Shiobara Onsen, are a tasteful item that lets you enjoy the feeling of being at a hot spring while you drink it. I chose "Hanahiragi," which has an orange scent, for my morning cup. How about finding your favorite blend that will bring back memories of Shiobara Onsen even after you return home? • Purchase location (Shiobara Monogatari-kan) Address: Shiobara, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 0287-32-2914 Closed: Open all year round Payment: Please check Official website: https://shiobara-monogatari.com/

Cheese Garden was born in Nasu in August 1994 as "Cheese Garden Gohokan." If only efficiency were considered, opening a store in an urban area would be the rational choice, but the founders chose to stay in Nasu based on their belief that "there are things that can only be made in Nasu." Their Imperial Villa Cheesecake is a popular product that is also sold in Tokyo and other places, so many people are probably familiar with it. However, it is not widely known that a lot of care and time goes into making it. Multiple cream cheeses with different richness and flavors are carefully selected, and prototypes are made many times until the optimal blend is found. The manufacturing method, in which artisans use a special hand-baked oven and finish the cake while visually checking the baking process, remains unchanged. Because it does not contain preservatives and can be carried at room temperature, it has been loved by generations as a representative souvenir of Nasu-Shiobara. In addition, the Imperial Villa Cheesecake has limited edition products that appear each season. When I visited, there were matcha and coffee flavors. Both were rich, and the balance between the richness of the cheese and the rich flavor of each was exquisite! What will the limited edition product for the next season be? I can't wait! This product can also be purchased at Nasushiobara Station. • Purchase Locations Store Name: Cheese Garden Shiobara Coffee Address: 531 Shimodano, Nasushiobara City TEL: 0287-35-3555 Closed: Open all year round Payment: Please check Official Website: https://cheesegarden.jp/ Online Store: https://cheesegarden.jp/pages/onlineshop

When you stop by the roadside station "Meiji no Mori Kuroiso," you'll want to pick up some dairy products handmade at the facility's milk workshop as souvenirs. Among them, we recommend the "Strawberry Milk Pudding"—the natural sweetness of pasteurized raw milk is perfectly balanced with the refreshing tartness of strawberries, making it enjoyable for both adults and children. Don't miss the "Fermented Butter and Drinking Yogurt." The fermented butter is rich in flavor and aroma, making any meal feel luxurious just by spreading it on toast. The drinking yogurt has a refreshing tartness and can be enjoyed on its own or used in cooking. The baked goods, which are also popular as gifts, are made with fermented butter and have a rich flavor. All of these can be purchased from the online store, so it's great that you can easily order them if you think "I want to eat them again!" after your trip. • Store Information Address: 27 Aoki, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture 325-0103 TEL: 0287-63-0399 Closed: January 1st / March-November: 3rd Tuesday (No holidays in August) / December-February: Every Tuesday *Holidays may vary Payment: Cash and various cashless payment methods Official Website: https://meijinomori.jp/ Online Store: https://meijinomori.stores.jp/

The souvenir corner at Nasu Senbonmatsu Farm offers a variety of sweets made with the farm's prized fresh milk. The "Pure Milk Ice Cream" is a simple yet exquisite treat that showcases the rich flavor and gentle sweetness of fresh milk. The "Pure Milk Pudding" is smooth yet substantial, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavor of milk. The "Milk Cheesecake" is baked slowly at a low temperature for a rich finish, with the aroma of cheese and the richness of milk blending together perfectly. All of these items are available for purchase at the Senbonmatsu Farm online shop. In addition, the "Senbonmatsu Farm 100% Beef Hamburger," a popular menu item from the farm restaurant, is now available for purchase at home. This is the same "Chigiri Hamburger" that was featured in the previous gourmet article and can be enjoyed at the farm's restaurant. Be sure to enjoy the taste of that hamburger, both at the farm and when you return home. • Store Information Address: 799 Senbonmatsu, Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture TEL: 0287-36-1025 Closed: Open all year round (may vary depending on the facility) Payment: Cash and various cashless payment methods Official Website: https://www.senbonmatsu.com/ Online Store: https://farm.senbonmatsu.com/

How was it? From traditional Japanese sweets carefully crafted by long-established artisans to dairy products delivered directly from the farm, and local gourmet foods that let you enjoy the feeling of traveling even at home, souvenirs from Nasushiobara are packed with the richness of the land and the passion of the producers. Finding a souvenir that you want to give to someone or buy for yourself at the end of your trip is one of the joys of traveling to Nasushiobara, isn't it? Please use the shops and spots we introduced as a reference and try to find your own favorites. Nasushiobara Tourism Navi is also constantly updating gourmet and sightseeing information!