Let's kick off today as well. Feel free to leave comments. When it comes to Nipponbashi in Osaka, it used to be a bustling electronics district like Akihabara in Tokyo, but both have evolved over the past few decades with the rise of maid cafes and manga culture. The historic Kuromon Market, once a hub for locals, now sees an increase in foreign tourist-oriented shops, reflecting the revival of inbound tourism. This is crucial for Japan to adapt to the changing times. At the end of Kuromon Market, or perhaps more accurately, at its "entrance," I visited Sobamanjuu Naniwaya. Their specialty is homemade soba manjuu, priced at 120 yen each. Made with soba flour dough and red bean paste from Tokachi, Hokkaido, these manjuu are a treat. I opted to wait a bit for a freshly made one as suggested by the owner. The freshly made manjuu had a crispy exterior and a perfectly sweet red bean filling. Even after taking it home, the skin remained soft and moist, making it equally delicious. In a world where many small confectionery shops are closing down, it's heartening to support "Made in Osaka" and the unwavering love and smiles that come with it. And the added bonus of showing love for Osaka through the pricing. I'll definitely be back. Thank you very much.

Soba Senbei 146

On March 21, 2015, I bought sobamochi at Naniwa-ya, located at the southern end of Kuromon Market. It cost 405 yen for 3 pieces, but you can also buy them individually. Sobamochi is the specialty of this shop, and I enjoyed it at home. It was moist and delicious, especially when paired with matcha. In addition to traditional Japanese sweets, they also offer Western-style pastries. Cakes and cream puffs are reasonably priced. While department store sweets are nice, I recommend trying the shops at Kuromon Market for a more nostalgic experience.

This is a shop located at the very end of Kuromon Market. The exterior is completely like a traditional Japanese confectionery shop. The name is "Naniwaya." The first time I visited, I caught a glimpse of cakes as I passed by and couldn't help but react. Of course, they also sell traditional Japanese sweets, but there are cakes and cream puffs lined up, and my eyes are drawn to them, so this time I bought two cream puffs for ¥130 each. The taste is simple and has a homemade feel, but it seems like they don't use any additives, which I personally like. It's a shop that I can't help but stop by if it's nearby.

Located at the southern end of Kuromon Market, this shop has a traditional Japanese confectionery appearance but also offers Western-style sweets inside. I originally planned to try their specialty "soba mochi," but after sampling it and finding it too sweet for my liking, I decided to pass. Instead, I purchased a "Mixed Cake" for 140 yen. While paying, I couldn't resist the temptation of the "Cheesecake" priced at 110 yen, so I bought that too. The cheesecake turned out to be the old-fashioned kind with a sparse texture and a sticky citrus-flavored syrup on top. Apart from the sweetness, it lacked flavor. Maybe it's targeted towards older customers? The Mixed Cake is an interesting combination of various sponge cakes with different thicknesses and textures. However, the taste was somewhat lacking. At 140 yen, it felt slightly overpriced compared to the marble cake at convenience stores. Perhaps they are trying to maintain a nostalgic taste due to their location. It might be more suitable for older customers after all.

I received a gift from a wagashi (Japanese sweets) shop known for their sobamochi (a steamed bun made with soba flour and filled with sweet bean paste). They also sell cakes very cheaply, like around 200 yen or less! I tried their Mont Blanc and cheesecake. The Mont Blanc had a thick sponge base with a layer of cream, topped with Mont Blanc cream, chestnuts, and chocolate. It wasn't too sweet, had a nice chestnut flavor, and the chestnuts on top were big and delicious. It had a traditional wagashi shop taste, unlike the cheap 100 yen cakes, more like a nostalgic Mont Blanc. The cheesecake was a large souffle cheesecake with apricot jam on top, giving it a shiny finish. The cheesecake was dense with a mild cheese flavor and light sweetness, similar to the cheap cakes you find in supermarkets. It wasn't bad, but nothing special. I preferred the Mont Blanc, as it offered better value for the price. Overall, I would recommend trying the Mont Blanc if you visit this shop.

The photo was missing so I posted this draft as a memo. I bought soba mochi and mixed cake here. The soba mochi is a soba manju with a chewy and moist skin wrapped around sweet bean paste. It's delicious! My friends also enjoyed it. The mixed cake is like a retail Danish pastry that I love. It reminded me of the old days when I used to see it occasionally.