Ichinoseki Mochi Culture: A Special Food Culture Celebrating with Mochi from New Year to Bon

Ichinoseki Mochi Culture

Around Ichinoseki and Hiraizumi in Iwate, a unique "mochi food culture" has developed featuring over 390 varieties of mochi dishes throughout the year. Mochi is served at every life occasion — weddings, funerals, annual observances, and seasonal celebrations — forming a core part of regional identity.

Types of Mochi

- Zoni Mochi: New Year's mochi in soup - An Mochi: Mochi stuffed with smooth red bean paste - Zunda Mochi: Mochi with crushed edamame (green soybean) paste - Kurumi Mochi: Mochi with walnut paste sauce - Junen Mochi (Egoma Mochi): Mochi with ground perilla seed paste - Zosui Mochi: Mochi cooked in rice porridge

Eating and Experiences

- Mochi Gozen: Sample numerous mochi varieties in one meal at local ryokan and restaurants - Mochi Kaido: Route exploring the mochi culture throughout the city - Ichinoseki Mochi Festival: Large national mochi festival held every November

Getting There

- Alight at JR Tohoku Shinkansen Ichinoseki Station

Tips

The "Mochi Gozen" set meal is a uniquely Ichinoseki experience — enjoy 10 or more different mochi varieties in one sitting. Come hungry!