A products fair gathering Akita foods, centered on many famous sweets, is underway through the 25th of this month in the free space beside the main entrance on the first floor of the Palaceside Building. Signature wagashi from Senseido, a confectioner in Ugo Town, Akita Prefecture, as well as well-known specialties such as Inaniwa udon and Yokote yakisoba, are drawing crowds.
“Wakagaeri manju,” known for its mochi-like skin, uses a peeled-bean filling with restrained sweetness; the pitch is that “one will make you three days younger.” “Yamashina,” made with top-grade rice, has a shiso flavor, and “kaki-mochi” is a dried persimmon stuffed with mochi and chunky bean paste—all handmade sweets that insist on simple, warm, natural ingredients.
Besides sweets, the stalls sell iburigakko, Hinai-jidori ramen, shottsuru ramen, natto rice crackers, mountain vegetables pickled in tamari, Hinai-jidori soup, and apple juice.