Yaki Imo (Japanese Baked Sweet Potato) Recipe
Yaki Imo (焼き芋) is a traditional Japanese baked sweet potato and a popular winter street food in Japan. Made with Japanese sweet potatoes (satsuma imo), Yaki Imo has purple skin and pale flesh that turns a bright golden yellow when baked. These potatoes are naturally very sweet—especially in winter—so no added sugar or seasoning is needed.
Yaki Imo is a simple, wholesome, and healthy Japanese snack that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
What Is Yaki Imo?
Traditionally, Yaki Imo was sold from small trucks that drove through neighborhoods in Japan, slowly baking sweet potatoes among hot stones. This slow cooking method brings out the natural sweetness and creates a soft, creamy texture.
Today, Yaki Imo is easy to make at home using a regular kitchen oven. While special stone-baking pots are available, baking Japanese sweet potatoes in the oven produces equally delicious results.
Where to Buy Japanese Sweet Potatoes
Japanese sweet potatoes (satsuma imo) can now be found in many local grocery stores, as well as Japanese markets. In the U.S., they are sometimes sold as Murasaki sweet potatoes, a name that refers to their purple skin. These are an excellent substitute for traditional Japanese sweet potatoes and work perfectly for making Yaki Imo.
Short Video
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Ingredients
- 3 Japanese sweet potatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 350F(180C).
- Wash potatoes well, and dry them off with paper towel. Place potatoes directly on the rack of oven. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes until cooked through.
This recipe was originally published in February 2017. The post was updated on February 9, 2026 with more useful content, new photos and a short video.
Came across your lovely and interesting blog while looking for a recipe for mochiko flour. We love the Japanese sweet potatoes. My latest craze is the Kabocha squash. I roast it with the sweet potatoes, So delicious!