100年以上の歴史を持つ郷土菓子「いが餅」

Igamochi, a traditional confection with over 100 years of history

「いが餅」は、黄色い米粒で彩られた見た目の美しさと、丁寧な手作業による製法が特徴です。
笹の葉の上に並ぶ3つの餅には、豊年満作・家内安全・商売繁盛の願いが込められ、餡（あん）には「安」をかけた平和への祈りも宿った山形県蔵王温泉の名物として今なお愛されています。

“Iga Mochi” is distinguished by its beautiful appearance, adorned with yellow grains of rice, and by a production process that relies on careful handcrafting.

Arranged in sets of three atop a bamboo leaf, each mochi carries heartfelt wishes for abundant harvests, family safety, and thriving business. The sweet red bean filling (an) also embodies a prayer for peace, as its name echoes the word for “tranquility.” Cherished as a local specialty of Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture, Iga Mochi continues to be beloved to this day.

いが餅の特徴

Features of Iga Mochi

稲花餅（いがもち）は、山形県山形市の蔵王温泉に伝わる、約100年の歴史を持つ伝統的な和菓子です。白く柔らかなお餅でこし餡を包み、上に黄色く染めた米粒を稲の花に見立てて散らした素朴な外観が特徴。3つの餅が笹の葉に乗った姿が一般的で、蔵王権現に豊年満作を願って捧げた稲穂にちなんで作られたと言われています。

“Iga Mochi” is a traditional Japanese confection with a history of approximately 100 years, passed down in Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture.
This delicacy features smooth red bean paste (koshian) wrapped in soft white mochi, topped with yellow-tinted grains of rice delicately scattered to resemble rice blossoms. Its simple yet charming appearance reflects the rustic character of the region.

Typically presented as three pieces placed on a bamboo leaf, Iga Mochi is said to have originated from offerings of rice ears dedicated to Zao Gongen in prayers for abundant harvests. Today, it remains a cherished local specialty, embodying both tradition and heartfelt wishes for prosperity.

見た目は小ぶりで、真っ白な餅に黄色の粒がアクセントとなり、笹の緑色とのコントラストが鮮やかです。
味わいは歯切れの良いお餅と甘さ控えめのこし餡、ほんのり香る笹の葉の風味が特徴です。
食べ方は保存料を使わないため消費期限は当日限りで、その日のうちに食べるのが基本となっております。

Here’s a polished English version suitable for a website:

The mochi are small and delicate, with bright yellow rice grains accenting the pure white surface, creating a vivid contrast against the green of the bamboo leaf. The flavor features tender, pleasantly chewy mochi paired with lightly sweetened red bean paste, complemented by the subtle aroma of the bamboo leaf. Since no preservatives are used, Iga Mochi is best enjoyed on the day it is made.

いが餅と蔵王の歴史

The History of Iga Mochi and Zao

全国には「いが餅」という名称で、黄色や赤色に染めた米粒をまぶしたお餅が各地に存在しますが、蔵王の「稲花餅」は笹の葉に乗っている点が特徴的な地域特有のものです。

蔵王温泉は、古くから湯治や観光で多くの人が訪れる土地でした。

しかし、かつては名物となる土産菓子が多くはなく、周辺地域で作られていたいが餅が持ち込まれるようになります。

作りやすく、日持ちし、素朴で親しまれやすい。

そうした理由から、いが餅は蔵王の暮らしに馴染み、この地で作られる味として根づいていきました。

ここで生まれた菓子ではなく、ここで育ってきた菓子。

それが蔵王のいが餅です。

Across Japan, there are various types of mochi called “Iga Mochi,” typically coated with yellow or red-tinted rice grains. What sets Zao’s Inabana Mochi apart is that it is served on a bamboo leaf, making it a unique local specialty.
Zao Onsen has long been a destination for therapeutic hot springs and tourism, attracting many visitors. In the past, however, there were few local souvenir sweets, so Iga Mochi from surrounding areas began to be brought in.
Easy to make, long-lasting, simple, and approachable, Iga Mochi gradually became familiar in the daily life of Zao, establishing itself as a flavor rooted in this region.
It is not a confection born here, but one that has grown and matured here.

That is the Iga Mochi of Zao.

いが餅の美しさ

Beauty of Iga Mochi

いが餅の美しさは、整いすぎていないことにあります。

小豆の粒がひとつひとつ浮かび、形も大きさも少しずつ違う。

それは機械ではなく、人の手で作られてきた証です。

素朴で、温かく、暮らしの中で生まれたお菓子らしい表情をしています。

The beauty of Iga Mochi lies in its natural imperfection.
Each red bean grain floats individually, and the shapes and sizes vary slightly.
This is proof that it has been crafted by human hands, not machines.

Simple, warm, and full of character, it reflects the charm of a confection born from everyday life.

公式キャラクター紹介

Official Character Introduction

いが餅の伝統文化を伝えるために作られたいがもちの妖精です。

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When the people of Zaō no Sato still shared iga-mochi and lived side by side in warmth and harmony…
Three wishes gathered quietly in their hearts:
“A heart filled to the brim.”
“A family kept safe.”
“A thriving and joyful trade.”
As those wishes intertwined, something wondrous came to life.
From the humble iga-mochi were born tiny fairies.
They were called—
“The Three Iga-Mochi Siblings Who Bring Good Fortune.”
They appear wherever people gather.
They slip gently into everyday life,
carrying smiles and small blessings in their wake.
On festival days.
On days when families come together.
On days when gifts are passed from hand to hand.

Always close by,
always watching over the moments that matter most.