Walking around Oshino Hakkai, you may be surprised by how many souvenirs are on offer. The shops in the central area carry a wide range of items, including hoto and Yoshida udon noodles, sweets, pickles, sake, wine, tofu, and even Koshu Inden leather goods.
Souvenirs with Mt. Fuji designs on the packaging are popular, but it is also worth looking for items connected to the water, farm produce, food culture, and traditional crafts of Oshino Village and Yamanashi.
This guide introduces recommended Oshino Hakkai souvenirs found on site, the shops where you can buy them, and tips for carrying them home. It is also useful for anyone looking for a slightly unusual souvenir or a high-quality gift.
How to Choose Souvenirs at Oshino Hakkai: Check the Manufacturer on the Back of the Package
How to spot a local souvenir Check the address of the manufacturer and seller on the back of the package Products from businesses in the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, such as Oshino Village and Fujiyoshida City, or elsewhere in Yamanashi Prefecture are made locally Whether a product uses Mt. Fuji spring water (groundwater) is another useful sign
Oshino Hakkai has no admission fee, and many visitors walk freely around the area. Souvenir shops are concentrated in the central area and offer a large selection, so it is easy to feel unsure about what to buy.
The product name on the front does not tell you where an item was made. If the manufacturer or seller listed on the back is based in the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, such as Oshino Village or Fujiyoshida City, or elsewhere in Yamanashi Prefecture, the product was made locally.
Whether it uses Mt. Fuji spring water (groundwater) is another useful sign, and a quick check helps you choose souvenirs connected to local businesses and culture. Typical examples include tofu made with Oshino Village groundwater, noodles popular in the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, Yamanashi wine, and Koshu Inden.
Six Recommended Souvenirs to Buy at Oshino Hakkai
Kusamochi: A Classic Oshino Hakkai Treat Made with Spring Water
The souvenir you will see most often is kusamochi, a rice cake flavored with mugwort. At Oshino Hakkai Ikemoto, you can eat freshly grilled kusamochi on the spot, and packaged kusamochi is also sold to take home.
Ikemoto makes its kusamochi in store, starting from steaming the glutinous rice, and uses Japanese-grown rice, mugwort, and sweet red bean paste. The water comes from the Oshino Hakkai springs, which is groundwater from Mt. Fuji. At 150 yen per piece, it is easy to try as a snack while walking or to bring home as a souvenir, and it clearly shows that you visited Oshino Hakkai.
Kusamochi from Watanabe Shokuhin, made with mugwort harvested in the foothills of Mt. Fuji, is also popular, so you may enjoy comparing the two.
Tofu: An Oshino Specialty Made with Mt. Fuji Groundwater
Tofu is one of the souvenirs most closely tied to Oshino. Oshino Village has an abundant supply of groundwater from Mt. Fuji, and tofu making, which requires a large amount of water, thrives here.
Well-known local makers include Asano Shokuhin, which makes Hakkai Tofu with Mt. Fuji groundwater and soybeans, and Kadoya Tofu, a long-established shop selling yose-dofu (soft, loosely set tofu), yuzu tofu, and soy milk donuts. Both need refrigeration, so if you are traveling by car and have a cooler bag, it is best to buy them just before you leave.
Tofu must be kept refrigerated. It is not as easy to carry as sweets with a long shelf life, so it is best bought when you are traveling by car and have a cooler bag.
Hoto, Yoshida Udon, and Soba: Noodles for Enjoying Yamanashi Flavors at Home
Noodles are an easy choice for a Yamanashi souvenir. Souvenir shops sell dried hoto and Yoshida udon, so even if you did not have time to try them locally, you can enjoy the flavors of Yamanashi at home.
Soba is also made around Oshino, so dried or semi-fresh soba is another option. Noodles are relatively light and easy to carry, making them a good souvenir for family.
Pickles and Wasabizuke: Flavors of the Water and Vegetables of the Northern Fuji Foothills
There is also a wide variety of pickles, and Ikemoto sells wasabizuke (wasabi pickled in sake lees) and other pickles. Many products are made with water and vegetables from the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, making them a good choice for anyone looking for something to eat with rice or with drinks.
Pickles come from many different makers, so check the back of the package here as well. Choosing products made in Oshino Village or the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji makes for a souvenir that brings back memories of your trip.
Wine, Sake, and Shochu: Gifts for People Who Prefer Something Other Than Sweets
Yamanashi is well known for wine. Yamanashi wine is sold at Oshino Hakkai, and Ikemoto also carries its own original wine, sake, and shochu. You will also find local sake brewed with Mt. Fuji groundwater and sake bottles with Oshino Hakkai labels.
Alcohol is an easy choice for someone who does not eat many sweets. Wine in particular is a souvenir that clearly shows you have been to Yamanashi.
Koshu Inden: For a More Refined Souvenir
Among the non-food items, Koshu Inden stands out. Inden-ya in Yamanashi Prefecture is said to have been founded in 1582 and has passed down the craft of Koshu Inden for more than 400 years.
In the busy souvenir area, food and Mt. Fuji goods tend to catch the eye, but traditional Yamanashi crafts like this are also sold here. Smaller items such as coin purses are available, making them suitable as gifts for someone senior to you or someone you want to choose a thoughtful gift for.
What Is Koshu Inden?
Koshu Inden is a leather craft representative of Yamanashi, made by placing a paper stencil on deerskin and applying lacquer over it to create patterns. It was designated a Traditional Craft of Japan in 1987.
The leather softens with use, and the lacquer patterns last a long time, so many people choose everyday items such as wallets and business card holders.
Shops Where You Can Buy Souvenirs at Oshino Hakkai
Shops in the central area are easy to visit while walking between the ponds. Some items, such as tofu, are sold at shops a little away from the center, so they are useful to keep in mind as stops if you are traveling by car.
Oshino Hakkai Ikemoto: A Wide Selection from Kusamochi to Inden in the Central Area
Located in the center of Oshino Hakkai, this souvenir shop is easy to stop by while sightseeing. It carries a wide range of items, from freshly grilled kusamochi to eat as you walk to Yamanashi noodles, original alcohol, pickles, and Inden goods.
Freshly grilled kusamochi, tofu, Yoshida udon, hoto, original wine, sake, shochu, wasabizuke, pickles, Inden goods, and more
Watanabe Shokuhin: Freshly Grilled Kusamochi Made with Mugwort from the Foothills of Mt. Fuji
This shop is popular for its kusamochi made with mugwort harvested in the foothills of Mt. Fuji. It also sells homemade pickles, local vegetables, and seasonal corn, so it is a good stop if you are looking for something to eat while you explore.
Freshly grilled kusamochi, homemade pickles, local vegetables, seasonal corn, and more
Omiyage Center Obayashi: Classic Yamanashi Souvenirs in One Place, with a Large Parking Lot
This general souvenir shop has its own large parking lot. It is convenient when you want to buy classic Yamanashi souvenirs in one place, such as Yamanashi wine, udon, soba, and Kikyo Shingen Mochi.
Opens at 7:30 a.m. (closing time varies by season)
Main products
Yamanashi wine, udon, soba, Kikyo Shingen Mochi, and more
Parking
Available (paid)
Kadoya Tofu: A Long-Established Tofu Shop Using Mt. Fuji Groundwater
This long-established shop sells tofu made with Mt. Fuji groundwater. Along with yose-dofu and yuzu tofu, it offers soy milk donuts and locally made miso. It is a little away from the central area where the ponds are concentrated, so it is best visited by car.
Yose-dofu, yuzu tofu, soy milk donuts, local miso, and more
Tips for Carrying Souvenirs Home: Buy Heavy and Refrigerated Items Last
Suggested buying order Kusamochi → Eat it freshly grilled on the spot, and buy packs to take home at the end Dried noodles and Inden → Light and compact, so you can buy them anytime Alcohol, tofu, and pickles → Just before you leave, after sightseeing
At Oshino Hakkai, you walk from pond to pond. If you buy bottled alcohol or refrigerated tofu first, you will have to carry it the whole time. Enjoy kusamochi freshly grilled on the spot and buy packs to take home at the end. Dried noodles and Inden goods are light and compact, so you can buy them anytime, and leaving only the alcohol, tofu, and pickles until just before you leave lets you walk around without heavy bags.
If you are traveling by car, it is efficient to finish touring the ponds first and then stop at the shops on your way back to the parking lot or on your way home. If you plan to buy tofu, keeping a cooler bag in the car is a good idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which souvenirs keep well?
Dried hoto and Yoshida udon, wine, sake, and Koshu Inden are easy to carry even on a long trip home. Pickles, fresh noodles, and tofu often need refrigeration, so check the label before buying.
Can I take tofu home?
Tofu needs to be refrigerated, so a cooler bag or ice packs are helpful. If you are traveling by car, stopping by just before you leave shortens the time you need to carry it.
What time do the souvenir shops close?
Many shops in the central area are open from around 8:00 a.m. until early evening, and closing times vary by season. Ikemoto is generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (varies by season).
Where should I park if I go by car?
There are many private parking lots around Oshino Hakkai, and parking generally costs around 300 yen per visit. Some souvenir shops, such as Omiyage Center Obayashi, also have large parking lots.
Summary
Oshino Hakkai offers a surprisingly wide range of souvenirs, from freshly grilled kusamochi and tofu made with Mt. Fuji groundwater to hoto and Yoshida udon noodles, Yamanashi wine, and Koshu Inden.
If you are not sure what to buy, check the manufacturer on the back of the package and choose products made in Oshino Village, the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji, or elsewhere in Yamanashi Prefecture. This helps you find a souvenir connected to the local water and culture, not just a typical tourist item.
In my 30s, originally from Kyoto and now based in the Kanto region, I have been passionate about traveling both within Japan and abroad since my student days. I love discovering hidden local charms while strolling through cities and towns.
A true nature enthusiast, I’m especially drawn to the sea and mountains—and I’ve even climbed Mt. Fuji! I also enjoy joining local events and festivals, valuing every opportunity to connect with Japanese culture and traditions.
Through my writing, I aim to uncover the deeper appeal of Japan and share insights that make every journey more fulfilling—whether it’s sightseeing spots, gourmet experiences, or outdoor activities.
By highlighting the many attractions of Yamanashi Prefecture, I propose travel ideas where visitors can also experience Japan’s unique spirit of hospitality (“omotenashi”).
