During the consecutive holidays, on the way to Higashikawa Town for a Pokemon lid photo shoot, I passed by Fukagawa Michi-no-Eki and decided to stop by. Inside, I found "Urokodango," a famous local confectionery that has been sold in Fukagawa for over 100 years. I had heard of it before but never tried it, so I decided to purchase one. Urokodango is made from wheat flour and glutinous rice, similar to uiro, with three different colors: white with white bean paste, black with red bean, and green with added matcha. It has a gentle sweetness and a solid taste of glutinous rice, but I felt that the flavors of white bean paste and red bean were not as strong as I expected. The matcha still had a tea flavor. I thought it might be heavy based on the appearance, but it was actually easy to eat with its gentle sweetness. There are various flavors available, and it was delicious. I would consider buying it again if I have the chance. Thank you for the meal.

When I went to eat ramen at "Ramen no Itomatsu" in May 2020, I found "Urokodango Honpo" next to it! It felt like fate, so I had to stop by. I decided to buy Urokodango, a famous sweet from Fukagawa, as a souvenir for my wife. Urokodango costs 680 yen for a pack of 9 pieces. It's a sweet treat made from rice, similar to "uiro" from Nagoya. The taste is quite sweet and delicious. It's like a traditional Japanese sweet that Yellow Gate (Katsu Kaishu) carries around. Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend trying it.

Recently, I don't buy it often, but I decided to buy it after checking out Tabelog for the first time in a while. It may be familiar to older enthusiasts, but it is now sold at souvenir shops rather than stations. In the past, when there were many local trains, they used to sell it along with bento boxes, and when limited express trains were introduced, they were sold at station kiosks or directly operated stores. The texture is similar to uiro, with a simple taste that doesn't require anything extra. It has been a tradition for over 100 years, and it brought back memories of the past.

At Fukagawa Station on the Hakodate Main Line, there is a snack called "Fukagawa Uroko Dango" that caught my eye at the store. This unique triangular-shaped snack with a tooth-shaped pattern comes in three colors: white bean paste, matcha, and red bean. It has a chewy texture similar to uirou. The sweetness is just right, not too overwhelming, so you can easily finish it in one bite. This snack, with a history dating back to 1913, has preserved its simple and delicious taste for over 100 years.

It's like a long-established Japanese confectionery shop. The name and the interior of the shop give a simple and humble impression. I ordered the "Urokodango," which comes in a pack of nine, with three different kinds. The colors are roughly green, white, and black. Each color doesn't have much difference. It has a subtle texture and taste. Not too sweet, different from the usual texture of dumplings. Yet, there is a mysterious taste that makes you reach out for more. I enjoyed tasting the specialty of the shop and it was worth visiting Fukagawa.

It was soft and chewy, and delicious.

I got off the Super Kamui train in Fukagawa from Sapporo, then transferred to the Rumoi Main Line. However, the Rumoi Main Line has few trains, so there was quite a bit of time to wait before departure. I decided to wander around the station first. In the local products section, I found the specialty of Fukagawa, called Urokodango. I remembered seeing this in the TV show "Railway Solo Journey" featuring the Hakodate Main Line. I looked it up and found that the shop wasn't far from the station, so I decided to visit while exploring the town. Walking on the snow-covered streets of Fukagawa was a unique experience for me, reminiscent of the sound of crunching snow underfoot. When I arrived at the shop, it looked different from what I expected. Although the sign said Urokodango, the sign for "ekiben" (station bento) was more prominent. But inside the shop, Urokodango was displayed prominently. I bought a small pack of 9 Urokodango for 585 yen, with a shelf life of two days. I decided to save it for the next day's journey. I enjoyed it as a dessert after a light station bento on the train the next day. The texture was mochi-like, with a subtle sweetness from the red bean paste. It wasn't too sweet, which I appreciated. However, the chewy texture made me crave warm green tea to accompany it. The white one was probably plain, with a hint of wheat or milk flavor. The green matcha was not very sweet, which I personally liked the most. Despite having a small station bento before, the Urokodango filled me up. It was a satisfying meal.

I saw "Urokodango" for the first time in a long time. I remember my father used to say, "I was born in Fukagawa, and this dango has been around since then." When I was a child and went to Fukagawa, I always went to Urokodango Honpo (formerly Takahashi Shoji) and bought this dango. I wonder if I bought it... or if I received it... "This one tastes better," he used to say. I wonder if this taste is not satisfying for young people these days. Overall, it is similar to "uiro." The texture and taste are like slightly less viscous uiro, with a not too strong taste, white bean paste (coated all over), matcha, and azuki bean flavors. I still fondly remember eating this dango and I had it again this time. My father passed away last year. When I inherited his family register, it said he was born in Mejibushi... What was that about...?!

Hakodate Main Line, Fukagawa Station, 5 minutes walk from the station, they were selling at the station's shop, but since I had come this far, I went to the main store. - Urokodango 10 pieces (vacuum packed) for 650 yen. It all started with dango made as a commemoration of the opening of the Rumoi Main Line. It has a chewy texture like a sticky rice cake. - Sushi for 480 yen. Nara-zuke thin rolls (3 pieces), when I thought it was just kanpyo, the texture and taste were different, so I was surprised (laughs). Inari sushi (2 pieces), as soon as I put it in my mouth and chewed, a sweet juice seeped out from the fried tofu. Tamagotamamaki (1 piece), it's a medium-sized roll compared to the egg. It contains ingredients like denbu, kanpyo, and ginger. Tamamamaki (2 pieces), it contains ingredients like hijiki, kanpyo, denbu, and ginger. - Karaage for 220 yen. Three large pieces marinated in a soy sauce-based seasoning. Last visit date: 2014.07.04

Until June 2014, this is a famous confectionery in Fukagawa, Hokkaido. I visited it after reading a review by Diane S. Apparently, their station bento is also popular, as many customers were buying them. The "Uroko Dango" comes in a pack of 9 for 585 yen, or 18 for 1170 yen. It reminds me of the Uiro from Aoyagi Uiro in Nagoya, but with a slightly stronger and stickier texture. The taste is similar, with a mild sweetness and a chewy texture. It's a unique creation of this shop, inspired by the scales of herring. Originally known for selling station bento, I'll definitely try one next time I visit. I really enjoyed it. Thank you for the meal! (laughs)

In the neighboring town of Fukagawa, you can find Urokodango for 158 yen! On Mother's Day, we went for a drive and had lunch in Fukagawa. When you think of Fukagawa, you think of Urokodango, right? It's a nostalgic taste similar to Suama or Uirou. We bought a regular boxed one for our mothers, and for ourselves, we got the usual cut end for 158 yen! It's quite a lot, isn't it? And when you flip it over... there are even regular triangular pieces inside! Isn't it a great deal for 158 yen? Every time I see it, I think the white part looks like the skin! I personally prefer the green ones. They are not usually displayed at the store, but if you ask, they will bring them out from the back. Oh, but I ate too much! I'll post about the lunch later.

I unexpectedly ended up purchasing these at "Michi-no-Eki Fukagawa" instead of at the store. Like other reviewers, I was drawn to the unique name. I bought the "vacuum-packed" and "fresh 9 pieces (585 yen)" options, as well as three types of yokan, which seem to be popular souvenirs in Fukagawa. Since I can't finish them alone, I will enjoy them with my parents at home. The origin of "Uroko Dango" dates back to when the Rumoi Line opened, and the station master named it after the scales that were attached to the train due to the abundance of herring at the time, resembling herring scales in shape. There are three flavors available - white, green, and gray - each with slightly different seasoning, but overall, when I tried them, it instantly reminded me of eating Uirou in Nagoya. It seems that they also use rice flour here, making it slightly less moist than Uirou. This snack provided a taste of the ten years I spent living in Nagoya. Thank you for the meal.

In February 2010, I made a stop at Fukagawa Station to purchase "Suzuran Banya Meshi" and "Uroko Dango". Right after exiting the ticket gate at Fukagawa Station, there is a shop of Uroko Dango Honpo. The shop offers a wide variety of items for a local city station shop. Upon boarding the express train, I opened the package right away. "Suzuran Banya Meshi" is served in a plastic container shaped like a barrel, containing soy sauce-flavored mixed rice, simmered root vegetables, simmered mountain vegetables, kamaboko, rolled omelette, salt-boiled asparagus, simmered shishamo fish, seasoned herring roe, and pickles. Overall, the flavors are rich and it gives a homemade feel. It may not be flashy, but it is a deeply delicious station bento. It tastes like a countryside grandma's cooking. Particularly, the tenderly simmered shishamo fish and sweet rolled omelette left a lasting impression. I have tried various station bentos before, but this is the first time the rolled omelette stood out. As a dessert after the bento, I enjoyed "Uroko Dango". It comes in three flavors: plain, red bean, and matcha. The triangular shape with jagged edges is fun to look at. It has a texture similar to "uiro" or "suama" but with a stronger chewiness. It has a subtle sweetness and was also deeply delicious. However, as a dessert, it may feel a bit heavy. I was glad I made a stop at Fukagawa Station for the "Suzuran Banya Meshi" and "Uroko Dango". In November 2011, I received "Uroko Dango" as a Hokkaido souvenir. It came in a pack of 9 pieces. It is delicious as it is, but this time, I tried baking it in a toaster oven until the surface lightly browned. This was fantastic! The surface was crispy and fragrant, while the inside was soft and chewy. I highly recommend trying it this way. In December 2012, while taking photos of trains at dusk at Fukagawa Station, I purchased "Uroko Dango - 9 pieces" as well. I ate half as it is and half baked in the toaster oven, and I personally prefer the baked version.

I purchased these simple triangular-shaped sweets at the Dohanso Plaza in Sapporo Station, not in Fukagawa. The smallest size comes in white, black, and green colors, and they have a mochi-like texture. Made with rice flour, these traditional sweets have a simple yet addictive taste. They don't have any standout features, but their simplicity makes them easy to enjoy. They are made with carefully selected ingredients, so they don't last long, but some are vacuum-packed for longer shelf life. These sweets are popular and may sell out at the store, but they are also available at Kitakitchen in Sapporo.

I happened to come across "Urokodango". U... What is Urokodango? What kind of sweet is it? Intrigued by the simple name and ingredients, I decided to purchase it. The ingredients listed are rice flour, wheat flour, sugar, sweet bean paste, matcha, agar, among others. The dumplings have white, red bean, and matcha paste kneaded into the dough, creating a chewy wagashi similar to ohagi. It has a truly simple taste, evoking nostalgia as I enjoyed it! If you like ohagi, be sure to give it a try.

The taste deeply ingrained in my DNA. I was born in Asahikawa, but I grew up in Fukagawa. The second floor of this shop was a YAMAHA music school, where I learned the "electone" that was popular at the time. I used to take the bus there, which brings back memories. "Urokodango" is named after the herring scales that used to arrive on a train from Rumoi. In reality, the scales have nothing to do with it. It's like a steamed rice cake, similar to "uiro." It used to be called "tsubaki dango," modified from the tsubaki mochi from Niigata. It comes in three flavors in a set: white bean paste, black bean paste, and matcha. It's triangular with a zigzag edge. Eating it with your hands makes them sticky. It's lightly sweet, not too rich. It doesn't use additives and doesn't last long. It's moist and slightly gelatinous, like "uiro." The flavor comes from the bean paste mixed in. The main store sells "cut ends" only. It's a mix of the end pieces of the rice cakes and misshapen ones, with all three flavors mixed. They're packed in small transparent bags. The taste remains the same, and they're affordable, so my father often bought them. They sell out quickly in the morning or at lunch due to locals buying them up. My father, who worked at a company near the main store, was a familiar face, so the staff would quietly give him two pieces if he asked if they had any "cut ends" that day. Urokodango probably continues to maintain the same taste forever, a "cherished unchanging taste" for my family. And for the people of Fukagawa as well. Another favorite at our home is "tamagoyaki," a thin rolled omelet wrapped in seaweed. This large, soft, slightly sweet sushi roll is a staple in our home. Despite moving homes frequently due to my parents' job transfers when I was a child, Urokodango and tamagoyaki make me realize that Fukagawa is my hometown. I love both of these flavors.

When it comes to Fukagawa, it has to be Urokodango. When I used to visit my grandparents' house, the train would stop in Fukagawa, and during that stop, I always bought Urokodango. When my grandparents visited Sapporo, they always brought Urokodango as a souvenir. The packaging and taste have not changed since then (about 30 years ago). In this era where new things come and go, it's truly amazing that this has remained unchanged. I hope they continue to preserve this taste without any changes in the future.

When it comes to Fukagawa... it has to be the scale-shaped dumplings! My mother's hometown is Fukagawa, so ever since I was a child, the souvenir from Fukagawa has always been the scale-shaped dumplings. To put it simply, it's more like a uiro (a type of Japanese sweet) than a dango. It has a very simple taste with a subtle sweetness, like a natural Japanese confectionery. There are three colors... I used to like the matcha flavor in the past, but now I love all of them. It goes well with warm hojicha (roasted green tea). You can eat it the next day too, but of course, it's best when freshly made.