1. Attamari Land Fukabori

The first place we visited was Attamari Land Fukabori.

This hot spring facility has a large public bath that is approximately 50 tatami mats in size, as well as an open-air bath, sauna, jet bath, restaurant, lounge, and more, making it a great place to spend the whole day relaxing.

Many people visit the festival, mainly from within the area, but also from outside the prefecture.

Apparently there are people who visit every day.

(1) Famed hot springs

① Beautiful skin bath
The hot springs at Attamari Land Fukabori leave you feeling moisturized even after you’ve taken a bath.

This is because the hot springs here contain more metasilicic acid, which has beauty benefits, than the nearby hot springs.

This ingredient is also used in lotions and has many beneficial effects for women, such as “collagen production” and “anti-aging of skin”!

② Warms the body and soul
The hot spring is characterized by its brownish color, and when you enter it it doesn’t seem very hot, but apparently once you enter it your body feels warm from the very core.

Another great thing about this bath is that it is gentle and can be used safely by everyone, from small children to grandparents.

Of course, there are hotter hot springs too, so those who like hot springs can enjoy them too.

3) Male calico cat bathing (nekobasu) brings good luck
At the time of the interview, the Cat Bus which was in the open-air bath of the men’s bath had an adult feel to it for children!

*From the official website of Attamari Land Fukabori

The women’s bath was decorated with buckwheat flowers.

Both baths are made of Oishida ware and are both very attractive.

The men’s bath and women’s bath change daily, so if there’s a particular bath you’re looking for, be sure to check their official social media accounts.

(2) Restaurant Sakura

There is also a restaurant within the facility, with a wide variety of menu items including ramen, soba, and set meals!

We recommend ita-soba.

You can enjoy Nihachi soba noodles made at Soba Shop Furyu, a traditional handmade soba shop located inside Oishida Station.

All of the noodles are hand-made using locally produced buckwheat flour, resulting in rich flavors.

*From the official website of Attamari Land Fukabori

There is also a rest room (fee required), so you can relax there after the hot spring bath.

You can spend a blissful time.

Once you get here, you won’t want to go home lol

(3) Shop

Attamari Land Fukabori has a wide variety of souvenirs!

Apparently customers are also raving about the rare items they sell.

We’ve asked for some recommendations unique to Oishida Town, so please take a look.

① Pesora Pickles
Oishida Town is said to be the birthplace of this light and spicy eggplant dish called otsukemono.

It is the soul food of Oishida Town, where a Pesora Pickling Contest is held every year.

② Fresh soba noodles
You can now enjoy the Nihachi soba noodles made at Soba Shop Furyu, which we introduced earlier at Restaurant Sakura, in the comfort of your own home.

All of the soba flour is locally produced and stone-ground to create thin noodles that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

③ Wild yam
We also recommend wild yam, which is unique to Oishida.

Growing under the snow gives them a completely different sweetness and texture.

④ Nekomanju: Bringing Happiness
An original product from Attamari Land Fukabori.

These buns are modelled after the popular Nekobasu and come in three flavours: sesame, soba and white bean paste.

It’s so cute it’s a shame to eat it.

(4) Message

We received a message from the staff of Atamari Land Fukabori for all readers of VISIT YAMAGATA.

“This is a gentle hot spring that will warm both body and soul, so please come with your family.

We look forward to seeing you.”

2. Soba restaurant Mankichi

Our next stop was Mankichi, a soba restaurant located right across the street from the grounds of Attamari Land Fukabori.

It features a large triangular roof.

The three conditions for delicious soba are said to be “freshly ground, freshly made, and freshly boiled,” but at Soba Restaurant Mankichi we add “freshly cut” and “freshly prepared” to the fifth criteria.

(1) Inside the shop

On the left as you enter, there are tables with a hearth.

There are also a number of table seats lined up on the right side.

In July of last year, we changed the tatami seating to table seating, which has completely changed the atmosphere and made it even more comfortable.

(2) Menu

(3) Recommended Menu Item

This time, I had the gesoten ita-soba recommended by soba restaurant Mankichi.

First, a generous portion of tsukemono, tempura sauce, and gesoten are brought out.

The tsukemono changes depending on the season, and on this day it was pickled cabbage and pickled safflower.

The crispy battered gesoten is cut into small pieces, making it very easy to eat!

The 28% buckwheat soba noodles, made with homemade buckwheat flour, were rich in flavor and went perfectly with the mellow soup, making them easy to eat.

That’s because Mankichi Soba Restaurant aims to serve soba that is easy for everyone to eat, by combining country soba and Edomae soba.

I went there hungry, but the portion was very filling.

For those who are considering food tours, there is also Mori Soba.

(4) Message

The owner, Mr. Haga, has sent a message to all readers of VISIT YAMAGATA.

“We have been able to celebrate our 25th anniversary thanks to the patronage of our many customers.

All our staff look forward to welcoming you with the same delicious flavors and hospitality.”

3. AndMERCI Oishida

The last place we visited was the popular patisserie AndMERCI Oishida, located on the grounds of Attamari Land Fukabori.

In addition to the AndMERCI Oishida that we visited this time, they also have stores in Ecute Omiya (inside JR Omiya Station) and Q1 (Yamagata City).

You can enjoy sweets made with carefully selected ingredients such as local seasonal fruits, high-quality domestic butter and fresh cream.

Many people make the trip from inside and outside the prefecture, and I am one of them.

Also, as I will introduce later, AndMERCI has started manufacturing chocolate.

It is becoming a delicious spot that you can’t take your eyes off of.

(1) Inside the shop

When you enter the shop, you’ll be greeted by sparkling sweets!

Each one is so beautiful, like a work of art, that you could gaze at them forever.

There are also baked goods perfect for souvenirs and chocolates made in the nearby chocolate factory.

(2) Popular products

This time, we tried the popular shortcake, Mont Blanc, and baked apple tart.

The shortcakes made with seasonal fruits, the tarts made with tart Red Delicious apples, and the Mont Blanc with its crispy meringue…these cakes are packed with carefully crafted ingredients and are so delicious you’ll be impressed with every bite.

(3) Chocolate

Starting in February 2023, they also began selling chocolate, as planned from the time they opened.

They have introduced professional equipment made in France and regularly invite French chocolate artisans to Japan to work on the production.

They dry out Shine Muscat and coat it in chocolate, and in the future they will also be using dried persimmons… you can discover chocolates that can only be found here.

They sell chocolate all year round, so why not try visiting at different seasons?

(4) Message

We have received a message from Andries, advisor to AndMERCI Inc., to all readers of VISIT YAMAGATA.

“At AndMERCI KURA Oishida, we offer sweets using French techniques and ingredients from Yamagata.

Oishida also has hot springs, as well as delicious soba noodles and cakes.

This particular spot is one where you can enjoy three things.

We look forward to seeing you there.”