Local food and culture in Tsuruoka, UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Tsuruokafs landscape is filled with the seasonal blessings of mountains, rivers, plains, and oceans. Among the 60 varieties of heirloom crops which are unique to the region are dadacha-mame, a sweet aromatic edamame, and Atsumi turnips. These “living cultural treasures” are an important part of the regional heritage. To this day, local families maintain traditional practices and customs relating to food, many of which have deep ties to the local culture, such as to the ascetic practices performed on the Three Mountains of Dewa and to Kurokawa noh.