Yamagata has the highest annual consumption of konjac in Japan.

What is popular in Yamagata is not konnyaku sheets or konnyaku threads, but "tama konnyaku." This is a food culture unique to Yamagata Prefecture, and is affectionately known to the locals as "tama konnyaku."

Let's explore the characteristics and history of tama konnyaku.

Characteristics of Tama Konnyaku

As the name suggests, tama konnyaku is a round piece of konnyaku about 3cm in size. At food stalls in tourist areas, fairgrounds, roadside stations, etc., tama konnyaku seasoned with soy sauce is sold on skewers. It is cheap and filling, and you can easily eat it while walking, so it is very popular at storefronts in tourist areas and festival food stalls.

The general way to make it is to put only tama konnyaku and soy sauce in a pot and simmer until it turns golden brown. Some restaurants also add dried squid. The standard way to eat it is to dip hot tama konnyaku in mustard. The fragrant tama konnyaku goes perfectly with mustard. In the summer, you can also eat chilled tama konnyaku.

The history of konnyaku balls

Konnyaku first spread to Yamagata in the second year of the Jogan era (860) during the Heian period. It is said that konnyaku first appeared when Jikaku Daishi (Ennin Osho), who founded Risshakuji Temple on Mount Hoju in Yamagata, commonly known as "Yamadera," brought it back from China and used it in the temple's vegetarian cuisine. Incidentally, the ball konnyaku eaten before climbing the 1,015 steps leading to the temple's main hall is called "chikara konnyaku" (powerful konnyaku) and is popular among tourists.

It is said that Chitoseyama Konnyaku Shop first started making ball konnyaku. The shop was founded in the early Taisho period as a pickle manufacturer, and started making konnyaku in 1926. At the time, they did not have enough funds and did not have the tools to shape the konnyaku, so they rolled the balls by hand.

It is said that in 1887, Matsushiro Hasegawa, the founder of Yamakon Foods, a long-established company, came up with the idea for tama konnyaku, inspired by mitarashi dango (sweetened sweet dumplings) so that konnyaku could be eaten as a snack.

After that, tama konnyaku began to be sold in various places. However, among the products being sold and labeled as Yamagata tama konnyaku, there were some that were produced outside the prefecture and had different standards for texture, elasticity, size, etc., than Yamagata tama konnyaku, which raised concerns.

In response to this, the Yamagata Prefecture Konnyaku Cooperative Association applied for a regional collective trademark in 2009 to protect the brand of Yamagata's specialty "tama konnyaku," and it was registered in 2013.

Yamagata Prefecture Tourism Information and Access

Yamagata, famous for its cherries, has a variety of tourist attractions. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots in Yamagata.

Tendo Park

"Tendo Park" offers a variety of spectacular views. The entirety of Mount Maizuru, located in the center of Tendo City, is a park. From the observation plaza at the top of the mountain, you can see the natural beauty that represents Yamagata, including Mount Gassan, the Asahi mountain range, and the Mogami River.

Known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, about 2,000 cherry trees bloom in mid-April. The Tendo Cherry Blossom Festival is also a must-see. A "human shogi" game is held, in which people dressed in armor and kimonos become the pieces of shogi and fight each other. The garden is filled with seasonal flowers such as azaleas, hydrangeas, and maples, making it a fun place to stroll through the year.

Tamadare Falls

Tamadare Falls, 63m high and 5m wide, is said to have been discovered and named by Kobo Daishi about 1,200 years ago. The sight of the waterfall gushing down from the cliff is beautiful and overwhelming.

We especially recommend the nighttime illuminations during Golden Week and the Obon festival, which create a fantastical scene that is completely different from the daytime. Also, from late January to mid-February, the waterfall freezes over, creating a rare "frozen waterfall," a sight you must see. You can enjoy the spectacular beauty of nature.

Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium

Yamagata Prefecture's only aquarium, Tsuruoka City Kamo Aquarium, has so many jellyfish exhibits that it is also called the "Jellyfish Dream Hall." There are over 60 types of jellyfish on display. You can experience a dream world at the "Jellyfish Dream Theater." The sight of about 10,000 moon jellyfish floating in a huge tank about 5 meters in diameter, lit up in blue, is truly fantastical.

Not only can you see jellyfish, but you can also see local Shonai fish, sea lions, and seals. It is a popular tourist spot that also has a restaurant where you can enjoy jellyfish dishes.

Yamagata, an attractive place for both gourmet food and sightseeing, has a variety of ways to get there. It is also easily accessible from Japan's three largest cities, Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. If you fly from Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya, you can arrive in about an hour.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Yamagata. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Yamagata Prefecture

summary

Yamagata's "tama konnyaku" is a round konnyaku about 3cm in size that has a simple yet deep flavor.

Yamagata has many restaurants specializing in konnyaku dishes, and they not only serve ball konnyaku, but also konnyaku that resembles sashimi and shark fin, so they are definitely worth a visit.

If you visit Yamagata, be sure to try the tama konnyaku.

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