I impulsively purchased some high-end gold sugar candies on my way back home from visiting my parents' house during the Obon holiday. I stopped by Shinjuku Isetan on the way back from Yokohama because my mother had requested Shibazuke from Doi Shibazuke Honpo. While I was there, I decided to explore the depachika (department store basement food floor), and came across this shop. I had heard about high-end gold sugar candies from my mother before, so I was somewhat familiar with them. Normally, I live alone and wouldn't buy them because the quantity is too much and I can't share them, but for the Obon gifts or for two people, it seemed like a good choice. The shelves had limited edition flavors like watermelon, as well as Shinjuku store exclusive flavors, and the staff explained them to me. However, being a country bumpkin, I opted for a simple and refreshing combination of soda and lemon flavors (\1,382 including tax). After the Obon events were over, I tried one or two pieces in front of the family altar. I forgot to take a photo, but you can clearly see the distinct spikes on the surface, both in appearance and texture. I started with the soda flavor, which had a strong ramune taste. It took a while to dissolve in my mouth, showing the high sugar density. Then I tried the lemon flavor in kanji characters. It wasn't too sour, and had a hint of lemon peel flavor. I tried both flavors that I purchased, but I still couldn't really tell the difference between them and the gold sugar candies sold at the candy store. So, considering the packaging and brand, I thought it might be more suitable as a gift, but I also wondered if it was okay to give something that I myself didn't fully appreciate. Trying out the high-end gold sugar candies that I had heard about might have been a bit premature for my 33 years of age.

This is the food floor of the Isetan department store in Shinjuku, where you can find a specialty store for Kyoto's Kinpaito called "Ryokujuan". I visited this store because I had bought banana and vanilla flavored small bags at their main store in Kyoto and found them delicious. Although they have a store in Ginza as well, it is quite high-end and expensive. The prices are much lower at the Shinjuku store, with the basic small bags being sold at the same price as the main store. However, the store in Shinjuku sells sets of different flavors, which is a bit disappointing as I would have preferred to choose my own combinations. I ended up buying the Shinjuku store's original "Miyako no Shirube" for 1383 yen, which includes lemon and natural water cider flavors. When you chew on them as recommended by the store, you can feel a refreshing sensation and a vivid aroma, similar to the banana and vanilla flavors I bought at the main store. The natural water cider flavor has a nostalgic taste from the Showa era, while the lemon flavor has a refreshing citrus aroma. Overall, I think it's sufficient to buy from the Shinjuku store rather than the expensive options in Ginza, especially if it's just for personal consumption.

The sparkling buckwheat seeds, shining buckwheat husk noodles, and the book "The Secrets of Japanese Sweets" were my companions on the round trip on the Shinkansen today. After reading the book, my head was filled with thoughts of Japanese sweets by the time I returned to Tokyo. I hurried to Isetan because I just had to have some Kinpira-goto. I'm not a fan of candy, sugar confections, or granulated sugar Kinpira-goto, but I do like the black sugar and Kinpira-goto from Ryokusuan Shimizu. Maybe it's the crystallized sugar syrup that suits my taste. In any case, I love sweets made with buckwheat seeds, so this "Buckwheat Seed Black Sugar Kinpira-goto" is a treasure for me. When I put it in my mouth, the slightly sweet taste and the crunchy buckwheat seed core are delightful. It's a delicious sweet treat that fills both my stomach and my mind, created by the skillful hands of artisans who have inherited their craft in a large pot over time.

I didn't know about this Konpeito until I visited the main store in Kyoto in April, but its deliciousness and elegance made me a big fan. Last time, I enjoyed the flavors of cherry blossom, matcha, and roasted green tea. This time, I purchased brown sugar, sesame orange, ginger, lemon, and cider flavors. I savored each flavor one by one. All of them are highly recommended! Key points to recommend: ⭕️Elegant sweetness. ⭕️Distinct crispy texture different from other Konpeito. ⭕️Variety of seasonal flavors. ⭕️Long shelf life of about 8 months. Since there is no online shopping available, you can purchase this Konpeito at the actual store. In Tokyo, there is also a store in Ginza! Please try it once ^_^

There is a specialty store for Kyoto's Kintaro Ame, established in the fourth year of Kocho, in the depachika of Shinjuku. I was planning to buy the "Handmade Kyoto Kintaro Ame" loved by Nobunaga at the Ginza store, but hesitated due to the high threshold, so I stopped by the store in Shinjuku. The "Seasonal Limited Edition" "Cherry Kintaro Ame" was recommended, but I couldn't find the basic "Handmade Kyoto Kintaro Ame", so I received the "Special Selection" "Black Sesame Kintaro Ame" for 897 yen. When I paid with cashless payment, it was 896 yen, and I purchased the "Kintaro Ame" with a free solemn paper bag and took it home. Following the instructions on the explanatory booklet on the "correct way to enjoy Kintaro Ame", I bit into it crisply and enjoyed the sesame flavor spreading in my mouth with a hint of sweetness. It seems difficult to crystallize sesame oil and sugar, reminding me of the teachings in gourmet manga.