While driving around the rural area of Hidaka, I stumbled upon a modern shop in a small coastal village. Curious, I decided to stop by and found out it was a local specialty shop called Sanseki Yōkan, known for their traditional sweet bean jelly. The packaging featured a heartwarming horse illustration, which was quite charming. I tried the Sanseki Yōkan with smooth red bean paste and Sakura Honoka flavor (486 yen). It came in a cylindrical container, and when you remove the lid and push the bottom, the yōkan pops out. I don't usually eat yōkan, but this one was surprisingly firm and delicious, especially with the strong sakura flavor. I always thought yōkan was long and thick like ehomaki, but I was pleased to find smaller sizes here. The cute container and design make it a perfect souvenir. The horse-themed illustrations reflect the local horse breeding area, and even the product barcode playfully says "umaa~i" (delicious), which added a touch of warmth to the experience.

During a trip to Hidaka, I found a souvenir shop along the way. It used to be a JR station apparently. I found this sakura-flavored yokan there. The sakura flowers are preserved in salt and hardened, which looked cute so I ended up buying it. Underneath the transparent agar jelly with sakura flowers, there is pink-colored white bean paste. When you eat it, the taste of sakura mochi spreads in your mouth. It's sweet but gives you a boost of energy. I also attached a photo of sakura that I encountered during a walk as a little extra happiness.

Established in the 43rd year of the Meiji era, this is one of the oldest stores in the region. Located in Sankocho in the Hidaka area. Originally, it seems to have been passed down from the famous yokan shop "Goshote Yokan" established in the 3rd year of the Meiji era in Donan. I bought the "Original Sanko Yokan (227 yen)" horse version to eat on the way back in the car. Hidaka is also known as a breeding ground for Thoroughbred horses. According to the store's description, it is a "refined sweetness yokan made by carefully kneading carefully selected Tokachi red beans and homemade sweet bean paste." Like Goshote Yokan, it is cut by pushing up the bottom of the tube and cutting it with the thread attached to the tube. It's not a luxury yokan, but it was delicious in a light and ordinary way. Recently, I have been visiting various places in Hokkaido, so I look forward to finding local dishes and sweets.

It's been a while since I used this method, so I thought I'd do some serious food logging activity. I'm in Asahikawa, alone. It's already time to go home, so I ended up coming to AEON because a new store opened. I also planned to visit a few more places to write about, but the food terrace was closed. What a waste of an hour. So, I decided to try out North Kitchen, hoping to find some bread, but it turned out to be mostly the same old bakeries. I found some yokan (sweet bean jelly) from Minamiishi Yokan, claiming to be the original. It felt like there was some deep-rooted grudge behind it. I made a cut in the yokan, but there were no ghostly screams. It's just a very normal yokan, not too sweet and with a hint of bean flavor. It's delicious, just as good as before.

Sanseki Yōkan was established in 1968 and has become a long-standing establishment in Hokkaido. When it comes to eating Yōkan, it's best to go to a well-established confectionery shop. The Yōkan is dense and heavy, making it a luxurious treat. I wanted to try eating it without cutting it. The moderate sweetness was delicious.

In February 2020, on the way back from a visit to Hidaka Road and Samani, I couldn't help but stop by the "Yagi Kashiya" shop in the village of Mitsuse. This shop has a history of over a hundred years and is famous for its "Mitsuse Yokan." I bought a round tube of "Mitsuse Yokan" in the flavor of "Sakura" and small sizes of "Chestnut Yokan" and "Bean Anko." My personal favorite is the "Bean Anko," which has whole beans mixed into the smooth red bean paste. The "Sakura" flavor also has a nice touch of saltiness from the sakura leaves, complementing the sweetness of the paste. I might visit again next time I pass through Mitsuse village, as I can never resist stopping by this shop.

In June 2019, I absolutely had to try the sweets that Dad always uses... (laughs), so I visited "Yagi Kasho-ten". Just the name "Kasho-ten" makes me feel the history behind it. It has become a tradition to choose souvenirs for my in-laws in Obihiro when I visit. This time, I chose the Sanshi Yokan. It is one of the three major yokan in Hokkaido, along with the Gosho-ya Yokan from Esashi and the Shiretoko Yokan from Nakashibetsu. Well, I just made up the Hokkaido's three major yokan part. Sanshi Yokan, the original one, is a yokan with a quite modest sweetness. It is easy to eat without being too rich, but personally, I think it could be a bit sweeter. The Chestnut Yokan has a collaboration of modest sweetness of red bean paste and the flavor of chestnuts, which is absolutely delicious! This yokan is definitely better with chestnuts in it! Oh, it was so delicious!

Sakura Saku Price: 378 yen Content: 120g This sakura saltiness is weak, with a gentle sakura sweetness spreading out. Compared to the sweet bean paste yokan, the sakura yokan is slightly softer in texture. The flavor may dilute as you eat more, but I was satisfied as it was something I had been curious about and wanted to try.

In January 2019, on my way back from enjoying "katsudon" in Urakawa, I couldn't resist stopping by the famous "Yagi Kashipan" known for its "Mitsushima yokan" in Mitsushima town. I don't usually eat yokan much, but the yokan here has a smooth texture that I really like, so I can enjoy it here. Unlike other Japanese sweets, yokan has a very long shelf life, so it's good to buy a lot and stock up. This time, I bought my favorite "Mame Gokoro," the first time I bought "Matcha Yokan" in a small size, two sticks of the classic "Mitsushima Yokan," and one spring limited edition "Sakura Honoka." As I tried them, I still love "Mame Gokoro," and I prefer "tsubuan" over "koshian" in sweet bean paste, enjoying the texture of the bean grains. "Sakura Honoka" is made by mixing salt-pickled cherry blossoms and cherry blossom leaves into white bean paste based on shirakanso, and the subtle saltiness blends nicely with the sweetness of the paste, making it quite tasty. "Matcha Yokan" is made by mixing matcha into white bean paste based on shirakanso, but the matcha flavor is not very strong, and personally, I prefer the normal "Mitsushima Yokan." I forgot to buy "Chestnut Yokan" this time, so I want to try it next time I visit.

Founded in the 43rd year of the Meiji era, I got the original Sanseki Yokan. There are several yokan shops in this area, possibly due to the proximity to the Tokachi region. Yagi Kashojo was inspired by yokan from Fushimi, Kyoto, when they first started. Their signature yokan, the original Sanseki Yokan, comes in three sizes: large, small, and mini. I chose the mini size this time, which is perfect for giving as a gift. The ingredients include specially selected Erimo azuki beans from Tokachi and homemade sweet bean paste. In addition, high-quality white double sugar from Ina, Nagano, is added to the paste. This yokan with smooth sweet bean paste is very elegant. It has a scent that makes you momentarily think there is black sugar in it.

I was curious so I purchased it. It was average.

A well-known yokan shop that I have been using for souvenirs since a long time ago. This is my first review. My mother wanted to eat it, so I bought it. My wife also bought it as a souvenir for her workplace. I bought a mini one for myself. You push the bottom of the tube to make the yokan come out, and then cut it with a string to eat. It's nice because you can cut it into your own size. When I was young, I couldn't eat yokan because I didn't like red bean paste, but now I can eat it. I guess taste buds change as you get older.

On the way back from a trip to the Erimo Cape, I purchased a "Mini Sanseki Yokan" for 270 yen at the Mitsuishi Konbu Onsen gift shop. I occasionally eat Mizuyokan, but it had been a while since I had yokan. I knew about the existence of Sanseki Yokan and that it could be bought in Sapporo, but I had to buy it when I came to the local area! I don't have much knowledge about yokan to talk about, so this is just a record of my purchase. It was delicious as usual. I would like to visit the store next time.

The current Hidaka Line, which is now being abandoned in the fields, is trying to be forgotten. This time, it's a review of Sanseki Yokan. When you think of Sanseki, you think of kombu, but is there anything else famous besides yokan? Normally, yokan is cut and eaten, but there was a one-bite size yokan. It's convenient to eat, and the taste is naturally delicious. The texture and sweetness are also good. It might be worth buying when you feel like it. Thank you for the meal.

This is a place in Shin-Hidaka Town, along Route 235 in the former Misaki Town. For the exact location, as always, please check the map on Tabelog. On the way back from Samani, searching for local specialties or traditional sweets in the Hidaka area, I came across this shop, so I visited for the first time. I parked my car in the front parking lot and entered the shop. This shop's main confectionery is "Yokan," so I purchased a "Marukan Yokan" that is very similar to the one I bought at a super famous confectionery shop in Esashi. I left the shop and decided to enjoy it with coffee at my usual cafe. After taking photos, I removed the cap of the can, pressed the bottom of the can firmly to get the right length of Yokan, cut it with the provided string, placed it on a plate, took another photo, and then enjoyed it. It has a firm sweetness but not too overwhelming, allowing you to taste the rich flavor of the red beans. With over 100 years of history rooted in this area, it is clear how much this shop is loved by the locals.

I came across this yokan (sweet bean jelly) in various places and was surprised to find its main store, which was a very impressive shop. I wondered if there was anything other than yokan that they sold, but I didn't see anything else that caught my eye. The yokan was priced at around 300 yen per piece. Although I'm not a big fan of sweet treats, I found this yokan to be delicious. If I ever come back to Mitsui's campsite, I might visit this place again.

Founded in 1870, Yagi Kashido is known for its signature sweet, the "Original Sanshoku Yokan." While Hokkaido is famous for yokan like Goshotei Yokan from Esashi-cho, Marimo Yokan from Kushiro City, and Shirakaba Yokan from Rokkatei, the Sanshoku Yokan is another popular choice. This yokan has won numerous awards at various confectionery exhibitions and is known for its fine, lightly sweetened texture. The "Chestnut Yokan" is a luxurious treat filled with large chestnuts, while the seasonal "Sakura Saku" features a two-layered yokan with cherry blossom leaves finely chopped for a unique accent. My personal favorite is the "Mame Gokoro," which uses whole red beans for a texture between Kin-Tsuba and regular yokan, making it suitable even for those who aren't big fans of yokan. Other popular choices include the "Matcha Yokan." Whether you prefer the regular size for a hearty treat or the mini size to sample various flavors, the cylindrical packaging makes it easy to enjoy. If visiting Yagi Kashido isn't convenient, they also offer phone and fax orders for delivery. Visit their official website for more information on their products.

I always had an interest in Sanshoku Yokan, so this time I decided to try it out after checking on Tabelog. The building is quite stylish and doesn't look like a typical old shop, giving off a heavy and traditional vibe. Although I'm not a big fan of yokan, I decided to try various flavors at Sanshoku this time. I noticed that they have small sizes at a reasonable price range starting from 200-300 yen, which was nice. They also have small yokan sets for souvenirs with the word "Thank you" on them, which could be a good choice for traditional Japanese sweets gifts. They offer samples as well. In a small ceramic container, you can try three different flavors of yokan cut into 1 cm squares. So if you're unsure, I recommend trying the samples before deciding on a purchase. I chose the plain and red bean paste flavors. Even though I'm not a fan of the sugar coating at Goshokuya Yokan, I was pleased that the yokan here had a smooth texture throughout. I bought two pieces for just over 600 yen, and my child loved it and finished one in no time! Surprisingly, it was refreshing and delicious. I also found out that it's suitable for small purchases and as a little souvenir, so I plan to buy some next time for elderly people as gifts.

I received a souvenir of Sanseki Yogan, which I ate for the first time in a while. I checked the website and found out that it is a new release. This round can (tsutsu) reminds me of the round cans from Gokachitei Yakuhonpo, and I ate it the same way by pushing it up from the bottom and cutting it with a string. Unlike Gokachitei Yakuhonpo's, this one is smooth and not as sweet. It might be a good dessert after a meal. Oh, it's actually from Yagi Kasho-honpo, a long-established store founded in 1910. It's impressive that they have been around since the Meiji era. I hope they continue to do well. It was delicious, thank you for the meal!

Hokkaido, Hidaka Misaki. Misaki Town is a small town along the Pacific Ocean coast, about two and a half hours by car from Sapporo, towards Cape Enoshima. Along the Urahoro National Highway, a large confectionery store stands solidly. When I first saw such a splendid confectionery store in such a small town, I was quite surprised, but it turned out to be a long-established confectionery store founded in Meiji 43. "Tsufundo Yagikashiya" The history of Misaki began in the late Edo period when the Matsumae domain established Misaki. At that time, the traffic on the Hidaka road was by station horses and station carriages, and as the Edo period transitioned to the Meiji era, a postal system was established by the government. Although there is now the JR Hidaka Main Line "Hidaka Misaki Station" a little further ahead from this shop, the postal station was located very close by back then. The first generation of Tsufundo Yagikashiya, Toyokichi Yagi, recognized the need for local souvenirs when using the postal station and was inspired by the yokan from Fushimi, Kyoto, which led to the establishment of the store. (Excerpted and summarized from the history HP of Tsufundo Yagikashiya) Since then, the taste has been passed down through the second, third, and now the fourth generation of the store owner. Since its founding, only Tokachi red beans, Nagano Ina agar, and high-quality white sugar have been used as ingredients to continue preserving the yokan for over a century... What an impressive store! The store's appearance is a lovely blend of traditional Japanese design and modernity, with a sturdy and dignified atmosphere. The spacious interior features easily accessible showcases. There were several types of yokan available, but I purchased a set of the three basic varieties. The original Misaki yokan, famous chestnut yokan, and country-style yokan "Mamegokoro" are included in the set in smaller sizes. The package design is lovely. The design of this label was created by the second-generation owner and has been passed down to this day. The Misaki yokan features cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums, the Mamegokoro features paulownia flowers(?), and the chestnut yokan is adorned with large chestnuts and branches in autumn colors. The arrangement, repetition of patterns, and color usage are all very beautiful. ● Original Misaki Yokan Red beans carefully selected from Tokachi are kneaded into homemade anko and made into yokan. Such a smooth texture. Despite its ample sweetness, the sweetness is elegant, and the moist anko flows down the throat pleasantly. ● Famous Chestnut Yokan Chestnut sweetened with anko is placed inside the yokan. The chestnuts are truly large, making it a luxurious yokan! ● Country-style Yokan "Mamegokoro" This is a yokan with grainy anko. The plumply cooked red beans are glossy and black, with a delightful aroma of red bean skin and a satisfying texture when eaten. I like grainy anko, so I enjoy this one too. The leaflet that came with the yokan says, "The smooth texture is created by soaking the red beans in water overnight, removing the skins, rinsing them with water, and repeatedly changing the water to remove even the thinnest skins." I understand now, a high-quality yokan with a smooth texture. Of course, all are additive-free. In Hokkaido, which is said to have a short history, the coastal areas along the sea were developed before the inland areas, as seen on old Hokkaido maps. When I first tried such delicious yokan in Hidaka Misaki, I was surprised! There are also matcha yokan available year-round and spring-limited "Sakura Honoka" and "Sakura Saku" cherry blossom yokan, so if I have the opportunity, I would love to try other yokan as well! Delicious yokan that makes you think, "Let's brew some good tea to go with it ♡." Despite its elegant taste, the prices are quite reasonable, ranging from around 300 yen for mini sizes to 648 yen for a large single yokan (tax included, as confirmed on the HP). Yokan at most stores usually cost around 1,000 to 2,000 yen for one, so the affordability is also surprising. I visited the shop about two years ago and tried it for the first time.