My wife and I took a relaxing walk through Gotenzeki (御殿堰), a charming area in Nanokamachi (七日町), Yamagata City.
While exploring the streets lined with traditional-style buildings and gentle waterways, we discovered a delightful treat — Gotenzeki Soft Cream.
What Is Gotenzeki?
Gotenzeki is one of Yamagata City’s historical waterways, built more than 400 years ago.
Today, it’s a popular sightseeing spot known for its peaceful atmosphere, renovated storehouses, and old-Japan charm.
If you love photography, this area offers plenty of picture-perfect scenes — stone bridges, willow trees, and reflections on the clear water.
Discover “Machinaka Yaoya”
Just south of Gotenzeki, on the ground floor of a tall modern building, you’ll find Machinaka Yaoya, a stylish local produce store.
Run by a fruit wholesaler, it offers a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, all sourced from Yamagata’s rich farmland.
This time, we stopped by for something sweet — their popular Gotenzeki Soft Cream.
Gotenzeki Soft Cream
The soft serve is inspired by Gotenzeki’s clear flowing water.
Its bamboo charcoal cone gives it a distinctive black color and a mild, earthy flavor that pairs surprisingly well with the creamy vanilla ice cream.
We also tried a seasonal fruit version, which during our visit featured fresh figs — juicy, fragrant, and perfectly balanced with the smooth sweetness of the soft cream.
Summary
We enjoyed Gotenzeki Soft Cream at Machinaka Yaoya, located in the Nanokamachi area of Yamagata City.
If you’re visiting Gotenzeki, make sure to stop by for a sweet, locally inspired treat!
