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Must-Try Culinary Delights in Nikko: Savor the Flavors of Tradition and Nature

Must-Try Culinary Delights in Nikko: Savor the Flavors of Tradition and Nature

In Nikko, you’ll find a rich culinary history, including yuba (tofu skin), which has been enjoyed by mountain-worshipping monks since the Nara period (The seventh century), and natural ice and yokan (sweet bean jelly), which were presented to the Tokugawa family during the Edo period. Beyond these historical delicacies, there’s a wide variety of local ingredients and gourmet options, such as wagyu beef, sake, and fermented foods.
Traditional foods passed down through the ages are often reimagined with modern twists, whether as contemporary dishes or exquisite desserts, offering endless delights to try.
We, the locals, also love Nikko’s cuisine and would be thrilled if you could enjoy these culinary treasures with ease.

*We sincerely apologize, but please translate the Japanese web-page into your country’s language for your review.

Yuba (Tofu Skin)

Nikko Yuba, made with soymilk and quality water, has a history dating back to the Nara period as a protein source for monks. While Kyoto's yuba is also famous, both the characters used to write it and its texture differ from Nikko's. Nikko Yuba is used as the main ingredient in dishes such as nimono (simmered dishes) and sashimi yuba, and is characterized by its volume as it is lifted twice. Besides being used in kaiseki cuisine, it is enjoyed in various ways including manjū and croquettes.

Yokan (Sweat beans)

Neri-yokan (kneaded sweet bean jelly) made from red beans and sugar has a history of becoming established as a souvenir for Nikko pilgrimages because of its long shelf life.
Mizu-yokan (soft bean jelly) is a staple winter sweet for Nikko citizens, with an exquisite taste balancing sweetness and freshness.
There are still several long-established shops with centuries of history, each with slightly different flavors, making it a delightful experience to try and compare them.

Pickles

  • Photo by Inkyo UWASAWA
  • Photo Uwasawa Umetaro Shoten
  • Photo Uwasawa Umetaro Shoten
  • Photo by Inkyo UWASAWA
Pickles, with a history dating back to the Edo period, are one of Nikko's representative specialties. The city is home to a number of long-established pickle shops. Each has  its own unique focus on ingredients and time-honored methods. Sample the various offerings to find your favorite. 
A pickle shop also offer traditional Japanese breakfasts.

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UWASAWA'S BREAKFAST
UWASAWA'S BREAKFAST
There is a breakfast specialty restaurant offering a simple yet rich traditional Japanese breakfast, cherished for generations, featuring rice, miso soup, and pickled vegetables. The pickles, crafted with carefully selected domestic ingredients and a secret traditional method, are a highlight. The rice, lovingly grown by rice farmers in Nikko City, is cooked to perfection in a pot, delivering a taste so exceptional that even Japanese locals want to enjoy it again and again.

You’re invited to savor the simple yet luxurious breakfast prepared by the "mother" of Uwasawa Umetaro Shoten.

As this establishment is operated by the pickle specialty store "Uwasawa Umetaro Shoten," you can shop for your favorite pickles at the adjacent shop after your meal.

Shaved Ice Made with Nikko’s Natural Ice

Nikko is home to 3 of the 5 ice houses or "Himuro" that currently exist in all of Japan.
Nikko's natural water is frozen for 2 weeks outdoors and preserved in an ice room year round. Here’s the good news : the shaved ice is soft as shown and won’t give you a headache even if you eat it quickly!
Each shop in Nikko has its own shaved ice specialty.

Sake

High-quality groundwater nurtured by the Nikko mountain range flows in the area, and sake brewing utilizing this water has been practiced since the Edo period. At sake breweries, you can find your favorite sake through tastings and learn about the depth of sake brewing through tours (tours require advance reservation).

Strawberry

Nikko city is located in Tochigi prefecture in No.1 production of strawberry in Japan, there have been Japan’s top harvester in volume of strawberries for 57 years running,1968 2024. Tochigi produced strawberries distinguished for its bright red color, large size, and perfect taste balance between sweetness and sourness. We highly recommend strawberry sweets such as sandwiches and parfaits.

Wagyu Beef

Tochigi Wagyu is a local brand of beef in Tochigi Prefecture, and its 
high quality has won awards at national competitions. It offers melt-in-your-mouth texture and beautiful marbling.

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