10 Must-Buy Souvenirs in Shizuoka Prefecture—Eel Pie, Abekawa Mochi, Green Tea, and More

Get to know Shizuoka

Shizuoka is renowned for its green tea production, being Japan's top producer due to its diverse landscape, which provides ideal growing conditions. The three famous tea varieties from Shizuoka are Honyama Tea, Kawane Tea, and Kakegawa Tea, along with the premium Tenryu Tea. The prefecture also offers scenic spots with stunning views of Mount Fuji, such as Miho no Matsubara and Lake Tanuki.

Places to shop for Shizuoka specialties

Shizuoka offers a wide variety of souvenirs, including tea, traditional Japanese sweets, cookies, and Mount Fuji-themed items. These can be found at train stations, highway rest areas, and more. Here are three convenient shopping options to easily purchase all the local specialties you want.

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Gotemba Premium Outlets

Gotemba Premium Outlets is one of Japan’s premier outlet malls, and its standout feature is the breathtaking view of Mount Fuji, visible from almost anywhere across the open-air mall. The expansive shopping area is divided into three zones—Hill Side, East Zone, and West Zone—and features nearly 300 brands offering fantastic deals. If you’re looking for luxury items at discounted prices, Gotemba Premium Outlets is a must-visit.

Gotemba Premium Outlets
Address: 1312 Fukasawa, Gotemba-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture  
Access: 15-min free shuttle bus ride from JR Gotemba Station
Official website: https://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/

Grand Kiosk

At the ASTY Shizuoka West shopping complex, connected to JR Shizuoka Station, you'll find a great selection of local specialties and dining options, making it an ideal spot for souvenir shopping. Grand Kiosk, in particular, is perfect for picking up local souvenirs and everyday essentials. Before you head to your next destination, consider grabbing a delicious bento to enjoy on the train, just like the locals do.

Grand Kiosk
Address: 47 Kurogane-cho, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture
Access: Connected to JR Shizuoka Station
Official website: https://www.asty-shizuoka.co.jp/asty/shopdata/199

1. Unagi (eel) Pie

One of Shizuoka's most iconic souvenirs is the Unagi Pie. Made by Shunkado, a renowned confectionery shop in Hamamatsu with over 130 years of history, this treat is a flaky mille-feuille pastry infused with butter and eel essence, with a hint of garlic. It’s become a must-buy for visitors to Shizuoka and is cherished as a unique local delicacy.

2. Abekawa Mochi (rice cakes)

Abekawa Mochi has been considered a specialty of the Tokaido region since the Edo period (1603-1868.) It is said that this traditional sweet gained fame after being presented to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shogun of the Edo Shogunate.

Abekawa Mochi is made by coating soft rice cakes with either red bean paste or soybean flour, and the packaging often features ukiyo-e (Japanese woodblock prints) motifs, making it stand out among the many modern sweets.

3. Cocco Steamed Cakes

The charmingly packaged Cocco Steamed Cakes, adorned with cute chick motifs, are another beloved Shizuoka souvenir. Made using the pristine water from Shizuoka's Abe River, these steamed cakes retain the rich aroma of eggs. They come in various flavors, including original milk, matcha, and strawberry cream fillings. If you can't decide on just one, the special assortment is a perfect choice, allowing you to enjoy all flavors at once.

4. Bari Katsuo-kun Shaved Bonito Flakes

At Yaizu Port in Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its fresh daily seafood catch, Sealuck, a local seafood processing company, has created a range of products using freshly caught bonito (skipjack tuna.) Among their standout creations is Bari Katsuo-kun, a crispy snack made from shaved bonito flakes. The company has even designed a cute mascot named Katsuo-kun, and each flavor of the snack comes in packaging featuring different versions of this charming character.

5. Jiichiro Baumkuchen

Jiichiro, originally from Hamamatsu in Shizuoka, is a famous confectionery brand known for its baumkuchen. It has expanded across Japan, with stores in major cities and counters in department stores. Their signature baumkuchen is crafted with precision for a dense, moist texture. Their rich pudding is also highly recommended.

6. Gashoan Marifuku

Gashoan, run by Ayaizu Seicha, a shop specializing in Shizuoka tea and matcha, offers a variety of sweets and dishes, including parfaits and matcha ice cream. Their standout item is the fresh cream daifuku, “Marifuku.” Made with premium Habutae mochi, a high-quality rice cake, it boasts a soft and delicate texture.

Due to its short shelf life and need for refrigeration or freezing, it's best to enjoy their products locally in Japan to savor their full flavor. If you have the chance, try the Gokujou Nama Marifuku, a soft version available in the shop, or indulging in a parfait featuring this delicious treat.

7. Tagonotsuki Monaka

Tagonotsuki, a long-established confectionery shop at the foot of Mount Fuji with over 70 years of history, is renowned for its signature product, Tagonotsuki Monaka. This treat features a fragrant wafer filled with sweet red bean paste from Hokkaido's Tokachi region and a soft mochi center. The shop also offers seasonal variations and Fujisancho, a Western-style sweet shaped like a snow-capped Mount Fuji, making it a fantastic gift option.

8. Ichijoutei Tea Leaf Cookies

Ichijoutei, a local cookie shop in Shizuoka, offers "Tea Leaf Cookies" made with high-quality tea leaves from Okabe Town, a renowned matcha-producing area in the prefecture. These cookies are crafted with natural ingredients like milk and fresh cream from Hokkaido Prefecture, with no additives, making them a safe and healthy treat for children. Shaped like tea leaves, each cookie features a little hole to mimic a bite from an insect, symbolizing their natural origins.

9. Miura Seika Green Tea Yokan

Kawane Tea, one of Shizuoka's top three tea varieties, is harvested from tender tea leaves sprouting in the early summer mountains, bathed in morning dew. A signature product from the local confectionery company Miura Seika is Green Tea Yokan, made with a generous amount of Kawane Tea. This sweet yet refreshing treat carries the delicate aroma of green tea, making it a quintessential representation of Kawane Tea.

10. Genraku Sesame Manju

When visiting the renowned Shuzenji Onsen on Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula, be sure to check out Genraku, a shop specializing in onsen manju (steamed rice cakes.) Their standout item, Genraku Black Sesame Manju, features a glossy black exterior thanks to bamboo charcoal powder and is filled with rich black sesame paste, making each bite incredibly satisfying.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.