Heading east on Chuo Avenue, past the outer ring road and Kintetsu Shin-Ishikiri Station, on the left side further east, on the first floor of an apartment building, you will find Suzuya Shrine Mae Store. It is located about 100m before the main gate of Ishikiri Shrine (on the west side). The "Ishikiri Sando Shotengai" shopping street, familiar from variety shows, is home to the main store of Suzuya. While the main store is relatively lively due to its location, the "Shrine Mae Store" seems quieter and ideal for a peaceful shopping experience. I purchased two items that were advertised on the sign in front of the store: Strawberry Daifuku (250 yen) and Okage Imo (680 yen). The Strawberry Daifuku was incredibly soft, with sweet and juicy strawberries. The Okage Imo, made with Naruto Kintoki sweet potatoes, had a rich and creamy texture, with a strong sweetness from the potatoes. It was substantial and perfect for enjoying with tea or coffee. Overall, a delightful dining experience.

5-piece set for 1,250 yen.

Strawberry daifuku is delicious.

Strawberry Daifuku:

It's almost too cute to eat, but when you do, the Anpanman-style steamed bun was incredibly delicious. I took a photo and then devoured it right away. It was filled with plenty of mountain vegetables, so no need for side dishes, haha. The taste of the ingredients was amazing. I highly recommend stopping by this shop when you visit Ishikiri. The steamed bun was so delicious that I will definitely be a repeat customer next time.

There seems to be a main store on the approach to the stone-cutting, which is famous in the area. It seems they have been in business for 65 years. At the main store, they also have red rice and other rice dishes that are apparently delicious. I'll make sure to visit there next time. This time, I purchased strawberry daifuku and ohagi here. I will enjoy them at home right away. The strawberry daifuku looks so lovely. When I cut it in half, there is a slightly large strawberry wrapped in white bean paste. When I tried it, the balance between the sweetness and sourness of the strawberry and the subtle role of the white bean paste was perfect. It's delicious. The ohagi also seems to use good red beans. It was also just right for me, with a moderate sweetness. Some people parked their cars in front of the store, but there is a parking lot right next to it. It may be hard to find, so it's a good idea to ask the staff. Thank you for the meal.

I love strawberry daifuku, especially because it's a seasonal limited edition. I really wanted to try it, so I asked my family to buy it for me to take home. It's so delicious. The strawberries are perfectly sweet, and they go well with the matcha.