New Sensation Inaniwa Udon Developed by 30s U-Turn Couple: Just Mix with Salt-Based Sauce

Akita Iimono (Representative: Sato Oku), a regional trading company based in Akita Prefecture, has developed a new product called 'Lemon-scented Inaniwa Udon Salt Sauce' that offers a fresh way to enjoy Akita's traditional Inaniwa udon by 'mixing' it, and has launched a crowdfunding campaign.

A new sensation: just pour and mix over cold noodles

This product is a single-serving, individually packaged mixing sauce that is ready to eat simply by pouring it over boiled udon noodles cooled with cold water.

Product promotional video: 'Lemon-scented Inaniwa Udon Salt Sauce'

The sauce features the rich umami of Hinai-jidori chicken, a specialty of Akita, combined with salt koji from Ishinotome Honpo, a long-established brewery in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, Akita-grown garlic, and domestic lemon juice, creating a refreshing yet deeply flavorful taste.

The slightly thickened special sauce clings perfectly to the flat, thin noodles, allowing you to enjoy their smooth, slippery texture until the very last bite.

Ingredients focused on 'deliciousness' and 'addictiveness'

Product Features

Easy to prepare: just boil and mix

Rich umami from Hinai-jidori chicken and salt koji, with addictive garlic flavor

Refreshing lemon taste makes it enjoyable even in summer

Rich, clingy sauce specially designed for Inaniwa udon

Commitment to production within Akita Prefecture

Although Inaniwa udon is a representative specialty of Akita, there are few 'soups' or 'sauces' produced locally. To address this challenge, the processing of this product has been entrusted to 'Senju Foods Co., Ltd.' (President: Koichi Kurata), a food manufacturing company in Akita City.

The product was completed through repeated prototyping, with a policy of using as many Akita-produced ingredients as possible.

After five rounds of prototyping, the desired flavor profile was achieved.

A third-year entrepreneurial challenge

'Akita Iimono' is a regional trading company launched in 2024 by a couple in their 30s from Akita Prefecture.

They moved to Tokyo for university and worked in the capital region before returning to Akita at age 30 (U-turn). They founded the company with the mission of bringing Akita's underappreciated local products to markets outside the prefecture.

The couple, both from Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, founded the company (Representative: Sato Oku [left in photo], Deputy Representative: Yoshihara Oku [right in photo]).

In their third year of operation, driven by the desire to 'create products that express Akita's charm ourselves,' they began developing private brand (PB) products.

They focused on Inaniwa udon, a product with national recognition, yet where its identity as an 'Akita' specialty is not fully recognized.

'We wanted to link Akita and Inaniwa udon while proposing a new way of eating.'

This vision led to the product's development.

Crowdfunding launch

Starting today, a crowdfunding campaign has been launched to increase market awareness of the new product and expand distribution nationwide.

The target product, 'Lemon-scented Inaniwa Udon Salt Sauce,' is scheduled to go on sale in summer 2026, with crowdfunding supporters receiving the product before general release.

The funds raised will be used to support trade show participation, promotional material production, exhibition booth decoration, and travel and accommodation expenses for sales activities outside the prefecture, advancing distribution expansion.

Crowdfunding Overview

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Project Name

The 30s U-Turn Couple's Challenge: Akita Inaniwa Udon × Artisan 'Salt Sauce' Birth Project

Duration

June to July 2026 (planned)

Funding Goal

1 million yen

Main Rewards

Lemon-scented Inaniwa Udon Salt Sauce

Set with Inaniwa udon noodles

Assorted Akita specialty products, etc.

Crowdfunding page: [Link to be provided]

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Product Details

Sauce-only product: recommended for home use

'Lemon-scented Inaniwa Udon Salt Sauce' <Sauce for 2 servings>

Contents: Sauce 60g (30g x 2 packets), shredded nori 0.6g (0.3g x 2)

Shelf Life: 1 year from date of manufacture

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight

Suggested Retail Price: 546 yen (excluding tax)

Noodle set product: recommended as a souvenir

'Lemon-scented Inaniwa Udon Salt Sauce' <Noodle Set>

Contents: Inaniwa udon 180g, sauce 60g (30g x 2 packets), shredded nori 0.6g (0.3g x 2)

Shelf Life: 1 year from date of manufacture

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight

Suggested Retail Price: 1,194 yen (excluding tax)

※ The Inaniwa udon noodles are sourced from 'Saito Seimen' (Representative: Eitaro Saito) in Hirakacho, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture.

Business Overview

Business Name: Akita Iimono

Address: 183-5 Okadai, Fukike, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture

Representative: Sato Oku

Business Activities: Sales, wholesale, product development, and distribution expansion support for Akita-produced goods

Website: https://akita-iimono.studio.site/

Shop: https://akitaiimono.official.ec/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akita_iimono/

Inquiries

Contact: Sato Oku, Representative, Akita Iimono

Email: akita.iimono072429@gmail.com

Web: https://akita-iimono.studio.site/#contact