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Origin of
school lunch
Modern day school lunches served in Japanese schools is said to originate from a Buddhist temple in Tsuruoka by civilian efforts to provide lunch for poor children at the end of the 19th century.
Tsuruoka's specialties
No trips will be complete without bring back memories in the form of souvenirs!
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Japan’s School Lunch Program: Born in Tsuruoka
The provision of school lunches (gakko kyushoku), at public schools throughout Japan is believed to have originated in Tsuruoka around 1889,
Sep 25, 20214 min read
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Tsuruoka Food Preservation
In 2014, Tsuruoka was designated the first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in Japan.
Sep 4, 20213 min read
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Tsuruoka Nihonshu
The success of the concept of brewing for quality was brought to light when, in 2004, Yamagata won more gold medals than any other prefectur
Aug 14, 20215 min read
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Kitamaebune and Hinagashi
Hinagashi (sweets to offer at the Dolls’ Festival) are typically made to reflect the specialties of the region. They include ingredients tho
Jul 24, 20212 min read
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Kurokawa Noh and Food Culture
Noh drama is one of the oldest major forms of theater art performed today and Kurokawa Noh is the local tradition that has been preserved fo
Jun 18, 20213 min read
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Atsumi Turnips – Hitokasumi
When talking about the pickles made in Tsuruoka, we cannot go without mentioning Atsumi turnips, which have nice crunchiness and a ...
Mar 21, 20196 min read
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Yakihata Turnips – Yamagata University
Slash and burn farming is known as yakihata (literally, “burning down the field”) agriculture in Japanese.Turnips grown through yakihata...
Mar 21, 20196 min read
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Feast of Kurokawa Noh
Shimi-dofu (freeze-dried tofu), essential to Ogisai (a festival during which the Kurokawa Noh is performed) The Kurokawa area boasts the...
Mar 21, 20195 min read
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“Haguro Men-yo,” Mutton
Mr. Kohei Maruyama, a sheep rancher in the Haguro area When it comes to meat, most people might first think of beef, pork or chicken....
Mar 21, 20195 min read
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Karakara-sembei
Karakara-sembei – a fortune cookie-like sweet with a miniature folk toy inside – Tsuruoka’s traditional local confectionery Tsuruoka, the...
Mar 21, 20195 min read
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Dadacha Soy Beans
Dadacha beans are a type of edamame (green soybean) and one of the “indigenous crops” that have been carefully preserved by farmers...
Mar 21, 20196 min read
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Minden Eggplant
Minden eggplants adored by Basho Matsuo Arrived in Dewa Province after traveling in the mountains for days, how lovely the color of early...
Mar 21, 20194 min read
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Moso Bamboo Shoot
The people of Tsuruoka love moso (pronounced as “mowsow”). Some Tsuruokans use moso for miso broth with sake lees, and for moso-jiru...
Mar 21, 20194 min read
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Gassandake Pt. 2
Harvesting of Gassan bamboo shoots begins when the snow-capped peak of Mt. Gassan gradually starts to melt in June. On Mt. Gassan, there...
Mar 20, 20194 min read
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Gassandake Pt. 1
Gassandake bamboo (bamboo shoots that are harvested on Mr. Gassan) Mr. Toshikazu Sato, a representative of Sato Farm Gassandake bamboo...
Mar 20, 20193 min read
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Tonojima Cucumber
The Tonojima cucumber is cultivated in the Tonojima area of Tsuruoka. It is one of the “indigenous crops” that have been carefully...
Mar 20, 20193 min read
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Watarai Sake Brewery
Oyama is a sake town that once was recognized as one of the three best sake-producing areas during the Edo Period (1603-1868). The Shonai...
Mar 20, 20195 min read
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Hinagashi (Girls’ day confectionery)
Unbaked confectionery to be displayed for Hina Dolls Festival. The 3rd April falls on Hina Dolls Festival in central Tsuruoka. Unlike the...
Mar 19, 20194 min read
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Tochi-mochi (horse chestnut mochi)
Tochi-mochi (rice cake made with Japanese horse-chestnut) is sold at various places in Tsuruoka. Although Tochi-mochi is delicious due to...
Mar 19, 20193 min read
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