Gotouchi (ご当地) is the word people use for the types of food/dessert/products you can usually only buy in one area of Japan. Gotouchi is the word for "local speciality" in Japanese. In Japan, these local specialities are common knowledge. For example, it's common knowledge that while you might be able to buy Takoyaki in Tokyo, it's not going to taste as good as Osaka's Takoyaki. Everybody knows this.
Whether you think that Gotouchi is a gimmick to make you spend your money on Omiyage (obligatory regional souvenirs, usually food, usually wrapped very nicely) or not, I think it's a nice way for small towns to create regional pride, bring in tourists and make a bit of money. I like the concept. 
I have a book with a Gotouchi map, but I couldn't find anything on the internet in English, so I thought I'd make a list here for everyone and get you to help me. Please participate in the comments section.Where in Japan do you live and what is your area's Gotouchi?
What is the most delicious Gotouchi in Japan? / The best Omiyage you've ever received?
ご当地 Japan's Local Specialties :
The Incomplete List in Random Order
★ Sendai - Zunda mochi
☆ Awajishima - Tamanegi senbe 玉ねぎせんべい
★ Okinawa - Sata angagi
☆ Tokyo - Ningyo yaki
★ Kumamoto - Ikinari dango
☆ Hakone - Yumochi
★ Kobe - Kobe pudding
☆ Yamanashi - Shingen mochi
★ Kyoto - Yatsuhashi
☆ Akita - Kiritanpo
★
☆
★
☆
I have a book with a complete list that I'll eventually type up, but that's not as fun as having you comment and tell me about your town's local specialities. Please add to this list! Feel free to add popular souvenirs, not just traditional things (example: Tokyo - Tokyo Banana).
15 comments:
Miyajima Hiroshima: Momiji Manju
Hiroshima: Hiroshimayaki
Shimonoseki/Yamaguchi: Fugu
Kagawa: Sanuki Udon
Fukuoka: Mentaiko and Fukuoka Ramen from Yatais
I've moved around a lot...
Best ご当地 was Sanuki Udon. Half the fun was watching them make the noodles. Those men are buff!
I lived in Tochigi prefecture (80 kms north of Tokyo) when i was in Japan, and it's famous for its strawberries (even if it's not japanese). Inside of Tochigi prefecture, there's a city called Sano which is famous for the ramen, while Utsunomiya-shi is know for gyoza.
first post!
nagoya is well known for shrimp crackers---ebi sembei
they are made with real shrimp, not powdered, so they taste oh so good!
Hi Julie,
When my husband and I went to Kamakura, many many people were carrying around yellow bags with a dove on them. We found out that these dove cookies are representative of Kamakura the messenger god. Very cute!
Hi there! I live in Miyajima-guchi, and aside from Momiji, the Oysters (kaki) are actually more famous. For gifts, they are sold in small ice boxes, and can be shipped anywhere.
i live in oita prefecture. we've got tori-ten, basically fried chicken and kabosu - looks like a lime, tastes like a lime but isn't a lime.
Oh I never tried the kaki while I was in Miyajima! Oysters make me yak :( I kinda wish I had tried them now though...
wanna ship me some?
Also, I heard people say that you can get a bunch of Banana-flavored Omiyage in Tokyo, however there's a town called Mojiko (aka Mojiko Retro to the locals) in Kitakyushu that is definitely a must-see on Kyushu, and every October they have a Banana Fair where the auction off bananas. Aside from their Yakicurry, banana-flavored stuff was a huge deal.
It was by far the strangest town I've been to in Japan.
Here's some random guy's blog about it: http://www.mechakucha.info/?p=1132
The Yakicurry beat out the banana stuff in yummy-ness but Banana Man is a legend there.
Can anyone explain Tokyo Banana? I picked some up in Tokyo's Haneda airport when I needed to bring an omiyage. But I can't understand what bananas have to do with Tokyo. Anyone know?!
Nanjakora daifuku is the BEST Miyazaki omiyage. It's exactly what it sounds like- a daifuku with a bunch of random stuff inside. OK for vegetarians but not vegans. I don't want to ruin the surprise, so I will leave it at that.
I absolutely love your blog, Julie! I'm originally from California but have been teaching English in Miyazaki for the last couple of years and was inspired by your blog to start my own. You're always so positive and have great taste and recommendations.
What is the book called and who is it by?!
This is fantastic! Thank you!
Totally unrelated to this post, but have you seen the movie Food, Inc? I know you're vegetarian and I swear I love my meat but I can't even look at it the same any more after that. I'm looking forward to reading Fast Food Nation soon and I'm sure that my meat intake will plummet after that. You read it, right? How was it?
sapporo soup curry! - its pretty awesome. you can buy some in packs, but the real thing is so amazing
strawberries covered in chocolate, miso ramen, these white biscuit things called White Lovers. actually, you should try these, they are delicious. if you send me your postal address, i can post you a box. they are famously hokkaido
i had udon in Kagawa-ken which was a specialty of that region. and then some different kind of udon somewhere else, but i can't remember exactly! my memory fails me :(
名産品
めいさんひん
It's called meisanhin, actually.
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