Things and Places to Eat

Local food

Damako is a local food originated in Gojome, which has been popular with kiritanpo among people in Akita from the old time. It is a hot pot with roughly smashed rice balls. A local dish called tsukego originated in the area of Hachirogata is said to be the origin of damago. It is also said that an old time lumberjack smashed rice brought in his lunch box with his ax when he ate and that became a form of damako after. Some says it is originally a dish for Matagi (bear hunters)… There are many saying about its origin. Its tasty soup made with local chicken broth and many kinds of local vegetable are rich in collagen. Vegetable, meat and rice all come in one dish well balanced, and will satisfy your appetite.
Oyaki is a traditional snack which people have eaten daily and also on auspicious occasions. It has tender tastes filled with natural flavors. You can buy a fresh one at the farmers’ market. How about taking a walk with a hot oyaki in your hand?

Seasonal Food

Surrounded by vast wild natures, Gojome is abundant in various kinds of mountain vegetables such as shidoke, warabi, zenmai, and wild mushrooms in the autumn season. The mountain area is just like a treasure-troves filled with seasonal food. These mountain vegetables and mushrooms are sold at the farmers’ markets and local food stations and the local people enjoy eating them in their daily meal.
Wild yam is another popular local vegetable. It is rich in enzyme such as amylase as well as good starchiness and helps digestive and absorptive function. Processed food using wild yams such as noodle and cookies are also manufactured.

Sweets

You can find very unique sweets product in Gojome.
Raspberry products provide a favorable taste with pleasant sweet and sour flavor. Local sweet shops sell sweet products named after local popular sites such as “Moriyama” and “Gojome Castle.” They will be perfect souvenirs to take home and you may also enjoy eating them when you visit the actual sites.
Karinto and genkotsu are popular Gojome sweets. These are old-fashioned sweets made with black sugar, which tastes give you some nostalgic vibe. Their shapes are very different from other sweets and you will like their unique taste and texture.

Farmer’s Restaurant

“Seiryu-no-mori,” a farmers’ restaurant is located in Jabami district, 30 minutes drive from Hchirogata IC. Their dishes cooked with seasonal ingredients give you the time to experience the sense of nature blessing and the taste of local food. They serve delicious dishes using rare ingredients, and when you do not know any good recipe for mountain vegetables, or feel like enjoying seasonal food casually, this is a perfect place to go. Its nature-rich location surrounded by rice fields and cedar grove make your visit a relaxed and special one. They sometimes set up a farm stand for local vegetables and offer visitors a good opportunity to find fresh food at a cheap price.

Local Restaurants

You see many old-style restaurants and small café when you walk about in the Gojome-machi. Each shop has its own unique appearance and menu. Many places serve damako pot, the traditional food, but the soup and size of damako vary among restaurants. It is fun to find your favorite recipe.
Raspberry soft cream you can buy at the Michi-no-eki (a roadside rest area), “Gojome” tastes delicious with a very good balance of sweet-sour taste of raspberry and creamy milk and you will like it.

Gojome Map

Things and Places to Eat

Local food

Seasonal Food

Sweets

Farmer’s Restaurant

Local Restaurants