During the middle day of the autumn equinox, I bought ohagi here from the main store of Fukudaya at Bishoen. As you may know, Fukudaya is the original shop of the famous Tosa confectionery "None Manju" in Kochi Prefecture. Although the main shop is in Kochi, Fukudaya has a long history here at Bishoen. The mugwort ohagi was delicious.

This is a corner in the department store basement where famous sweets from all over Japan are sold. I happened to see packs of 3 pieces of the famous Meidai Mochi from Demachi Futaba-san on the shelf near the register. The department store basement was not as crowded as usual, but luckily there were multiple packs available. The Meidai Mochi costs 600 yen for a pack of 3 pieces. The expiration date was the same day, so the mochi was a bit hard. The mochi was soft with a perfect amount of salt, and the beans had a nice texture. It was a perfect combination! I think it's best to buy them fresh at the store. Thank you for the meal!

As usual, when buying "Mame-mochi" at Kyoto's "Futaba," I happened to notice my recent favorite, "Toncho" from "Kinka," too. I was so happy to see that "Toncho" is also available here! What a pleasant surprise! It's a new discovery for me. I didn't even notice "Toncho" until recently. Looking back at the photos from my last "Mame-mochi" purchase, I realized that "Toncho" was always there. It seems like I could have bought it at Takashimaya's Meigasen too. I'm thrilled! Tarou is falling more in love with Takashimaya with each passing day. I bought the classic "Toncho," of course, and it was delicious as always. It may not be flashy, but its subtle deliciousness always hits the spot. Thank you for the meal! To those outside the prefecture, "Toncho" from "Kinka" is a unique rice ball-like snack made by a traditional Japanese confectionery shop in Osaka. It is a slightly larger, isosceles triangle-shaped rice ball wrapped in aluminum foil. It is best consumed on the same day and can be enjoyed without heating it up. It is made of high-quality mochi rice steamed with salted kelp, soybeans, and finished with a touch of umeboshi plum. It may seem simple, but it is incredibly delicious.

In Namba, at Takashimaya's B1 floor, you can find "Meigashi Hyakusen" where you can buy famous sweets from all over Japan. The purpose of this visit was to get the popular "Mame Mochi" from "Futaba" in Kyoto. The Mame Mochi is a classic item and I always buy the 3-piece pack without having to wait in line. The balance of the bean's texture and saltiness is just perfect. You can get it in Osaka without waiting in line, and the joy of being able to eat it anytime is priceless. It was delicious.

Department store's famous confectionery corner. Various local specialties from all over Japan are gathered here, making it a fun corner just to look at (lol). It's nice that you can buy items here that you can't find in regular stores. - "Kamo Mitarashi Chaya" San's mitarashi dango. It was on the shelf below the register, with only 2 left! Safe! The sauce is not too strong, not too salty, just right. However, since it's a take-home pack, the mochi is quite firm (lol). I definitely want to try the freshly made ones at the store. - "Sohomotoya" San's soba bolo, I mean, soba holu ♥ You can find soba bolo at supermarkets, but there seems to be various manufacturers. When I hear soba bolo, what comes to mind is the product in a pale yellow square can! I had it at home before! (lol) The nostalgic yellow can of sweets is "Kawamichiya" San's soba bolo. This time, I bought "Kawamichiya" San's soba holu. It was crispy and delicious. The taste is never boring, right? I'm thinking of comparing it next time ♥ - "Shoichi Matsufukudo" San's sakura mochi. This is a shop in Osaka known for its daifuku. It has a slightly overpowering sweetness. Tastes vary from person to person, but my favorite sakura mochi is from "Demachi Futaba" San. Although it's not listed as a famous confectionery, it seems that "Demachi Futaba" San also sells bean mochi. There was a wooden sign saying that there was no stock on this day. Can you really buy it here without going to Kyoto????? I'll definitely stop by again next time I'm in Namba (lol)

In May 2020, I visited Takashimaya in Osaka and stopped by "Meigashu Hyakusen" in the basement floor. They had a variety of delicious regional sweets lined up. I purchased two citrus sweets: "Iyokan Shikanai!" (from Matsuyama, Ichiro Honpo) and "Hassaku Pudding" (from Onomichi, Nakaya Honpo). I enjoyed them at home. "Iyokan Shikanai!": Made with candied peel of Iyokan oranges mixed into the madeleine batter. The texture was moist and the refreshing flavor of Iyokan oranges was delightful. "Hassaku Pudding": A gentle sweet pudding with pieces of candied Hassaku oranges inside. It was also delicious. Onomichi's Hassaku citrus sweets never disappoint. Thank you for the meal!

I stopped by when I went to Osaka. I planned to buy the Daido Kin-tsukata here, as I didn't have time to visit the store this time. Inside the store, there were various traditional and Western sweets from Osaka and all over Japan. It was convenient to be able to buy individual pieces of Osaka-style Western confectionery as a casual souvenir. The Kin-tsukata I was looking for was on a shelf right next to the register, and to my surprise, there was also Demachi Futaba's bean mochi right next to it! Both had an expiration date for the same day, so I couldn't consume them on that day. After some thought, I gave up and chose the Manju-type Murasame from Shio Go no Mura, which I had been curious about for a while. The bag with the product had a unique design, with a brown paper and brown ink drawing of a woman and roses. (I forgot to take a picture...) The bean mochi that I didn't buy this time was quickly sold out. Even in the Kansai region nearby, it seems to be quite popular. If I come to the Namba area again with no time to spare, I might buy souvenirs at this store where various sweets are available.

When you visit Kyoto, make sure to try the "Mame Mochi" from Kyoto Demachi Futaba, even if you have to wait in line. You can easily purchase it at Osaka Takashimaya in the basement, as it is one of the selected famous sweets. However, please note that it is not available on 1/14, 1/21, 1/22, and 1/28 in January. On other days, there is a limited quantity available for sale every day starting at noon. Today, we were able to get it after lunch. Another popular Kyoto souvenir is the "Ajari Mochi" from Kyoto Kashi Tukasa Mitsuki and the "Mame Mochi" from Kyoto Demachi Futaba, which are usually always available. Also, the popular Kanagawa souvenir "Kurumikko" is restocked every Tuesday and Friday, making it almost always available for purchase. I was also interested in the monthly limited edition "Osaka Morinohagi," which I saw in a review and have been curious about. And I can't forget the "Fruit Mochi" from Osaka Matsuchikudo, which I tried for the first time and was impressed by. I really want to have that "Pineapple Mochi" again. Someone please buy it for me. I had the "Mame Mochi" from Kyoto Demachi Futaba after a long time, and it was still delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Today, I was able to purchase the Louvre Kid↓↓↓ Walnut Kid that was being sold at the Louvre exhibition in the Meika Hyakusen (Famous Sweets Selection). It has a lot of walnuts and a rich caramel flavor. Also, in a New Year's spirit, I got two pig-shaped rice crackers and one wild chrysanthemum flavor.

You can buy various sweets from different places! I often buy karukan without red bean paste. Today, I also bought Hachimitsu Kuruhirodo's fig Hainobe Mochi and Suya's chestnut sweet. The Hainobe Mochi also comes in a mandarin orange flavor. It's in season now, which is great! It's nice to be able to buy sweets from all over Japan at one store!

My favorite shop, "Demachi Futaba," sells their famous Meidai Mochi in Osaka as well~♡ This place is a shop that carries famous sweets from all over Japan. As a Kansai local, I had never tried the Toncho from Kinugasa before. It's made with domestically grown glutinous rice, soybeans, salted kelp, and topped with small pickled plums. It's like a type of "okowa" rice dish (*^_^*) It has a chewy and gentle texture, with crispy pickled plums for a nice contrast. It's quite filling, so it really satisfies your hunger haha. The expiration date is today. I love the Meidai Mochi from Demachi Futaba, and when I visit the shop in Kyoto, there are many varieties available, but here in Osaka, it's only the Meidai Mochi. Nevertheless, I'm grateful that I can buy it here too!! It still has that perfect balance of saltiness and delicious beans, it was amazing♡ The expiration date for this is also today. This shop carries a variety of famous sweets from all over the country, so it's enjoyable just to look around. I'll definitely visit again. Thank you for the delicious meal☆彡

You can find the Futaba Mame Daifuku that you couldn't find at Osaka Station at the Depachika of Osaka Takashimaya in Namba. They are sold from early afternoon. You can choose between a pack of 3 or a pack of 5 depending on your mood. In Nagoya, they are only sold in packs of 5 on Monday afternoons. In Kyoto, you can purchase them near Demachiyanagi Station, heading towards the shopping street, except on regular holidays. At the main store, you can buy them individually, but it's hard to find a reason to go there. Enjoy the Mame Daifuku at the Depachika.

I got a product from Kotsukado called Gion Taiko from Lake Tsukimido. The website says: "Since our establishment, we have been using carefully selected red beans as the main ingredient. Gion Taiko, which wraps red bean paste and chunky bean paste in a pie crust made with high-quality butter and baked, has been well received by a wide range of people as a harmonious blend of Japanese and Western sweets. It can be enjoyed with Japanese tea as well as coffee and black tea. The name 'Gion Taiko' is derived from the Gion Matsuri festival, famous for its taiko drums, and represents the shape of a drum. This was quite delicious. Both the crust and the bean paste were delicious. I will have to buy it again. There are many products in the selection of famous confections. It's fun just to look at them. I wonder what local specialty I should buy next."

[2016.2 revisit] I accompanied my wife and mother-in-law for shopping at Takashimaya in Namba. The chocolate section on the basement floor was crowded with people buying Valentine's chocolates, so while waiting, I decided to check out the Meika Hyakusen (Famous Sweets Selection) section alone. They sell various traditional Japanese sweets and chocolates from all over Japan. Among them, I found Japanese sake bonbons made with Amano sake, a famous sake from Osaka! Recently, premium sake chocolates like Dassai have been popular. No reservation needed, they had plenty in stock. Next to them were wine bonbons, whiskey bonbons, brandy bonbons, and gin bonbons. Although they didn't have Osaka's Ahobon (a local joke), it seemed to be a limited-time Valentine's product. I asked my wife to buy it, but she coldly said, "We already bought Godiva, we don't need it!" So, I asked my mother-in-law, and she kindly bought it. It cost 454 yen (tax included) per bag, made by Maruaka Seika Ito Takawa Shoten in Higashi Yodogawa, Osaka. They have been making whiskey bonbons since Taisho 15, a long-established manufacturer. I brought it home. There were 13 round chocolates wrapped in candy. It's very reasonable compared to premium sake chocolates. Perfect for obligatory chocolates. Oh, you can really taste the sake! I wish they were shaped like sake bottles (laughs). It was interesting to learn that there are such long-established confectionery manufacturers in Osaka. When I looked around, I realized that Meika Hyakusen, where you can buy unique chocolates, is a must-visit corner at Takashimaya in Namba. It's also recommended for those who want to quickly turn the map of Japan on Tabelog bright red (laughs). [2013.3 revisit] In the distant past, there was a TV show produced by an Osaka TV station called "Tenamonya Sandogasa," starring Makoto Fujita. When a loud bell rang, Fujita would appear as Ankake no Tokijiro from the set temple, defeat the villain in a skit, and pull out Maeda's crackers from his kimono. "It's no wonder I'm so strong, Maeda's crackers!" he would say while showing the cracker in his right hand in front of the camera. Ah, it's so nostalgic! Those who think so must have lived for about half a century (laughs). I bought Maeda Seika's lunch crackers, which have their headquarters and factory in Sakai. It cost 110 yen per bag. It's a very cost-effective snack with 17 pieces of 5.5 cm square crackers. I haven't had it in a long time, but it's light and delicious, so I could eat as many as I want. There seems to be a small round type as well, but it's got to be this type that Anakake no Tokijiro had. Maeda Seika was established in 1918, a long-established confectionery manufacturer. It's a typical snack from Osaka. Today, I also bought Nori from Yashio City, Iwako Hachiro from Noda City, Sakura Arare from Nagaoka City, and Kuzusakura Mochi from Yamanaka Ishikawa-ya in Kaga City. [2013.1 visit] I accompanied my wife for Valentine's Day shopping at Takashimaya in Namba. After buying chocolates, I wandered around the food section on the basement floor. I noticed a corner called Meika Hyakusen (Famous Sweets Selection). They sell famous sweets from Osaka and various regional specialties, which you can buy individually, and they change the selection of sweets daily. It's nice to be able to feel like you've traveled just by coming here. For those who love ordering delicacies, this is a must-visit! Further back, there was a section of Osaka's local snacks. There were nostalgic snacks sold in large bags, slightly upgraded. Mangetsu Pon, Miyako Konbu, Maeda's crackers (laughs), and so on... So nostalgic! ◇Nakano Bussan's Miyako Konbu (90g) 380 yen ◇Matsuoka Seika's...

Well, Takashimaya Rose's packaging has remained unchanged and good for a long time. Despite being in Osaka, in Minami, it is a high-quality department store. It's no wonder it had a deep connection with the Hawks. In Fukuoka, in Kokura, there is a shop called Kotokudo. It costs 140 yen including tax, and for a department store, the cost performance is decent. When you eat it, it has red bean paste inside, which is nice. It has a Danish pastry-like texture, giving it a Western confectionery feel. The sweetness is also good. If you go to Hakata again, it's worth buying. Thank you for the meal! August 2015. Nankaihawks1's gourmet guide. Nankaihawks1's blog.

I bought a set of Imo Yokan and Anko Dama at the Meigetsudo corner at Takashimaya department store. Yesterday, I tried Sentaro's Minazuki (I wrote about it in my diary), and today I had Anko Dama. Imo Yokan from Funawa is famous, but I don't have much memory of eating it before, so this time I felt like I really got to taste it properly. The flavor of sweet potato remains strong and the sweetness is mild, suitable for those who like simple flavors. Anko Dama has a firm coating of agar or jelly on top, and I would have been happier if it was a bit softer like warabi mochi. It is slightly sweeter and has a smooth texture made with strained sweet bean paste, making it a good match for tea. Traditional Japanese sweets from the downtown area of Tokyo often have simple flavors, which is probably why they have been loved by many people for a long time.

Located on Demachi Street in Kyoto, Demachi Futaba is known for their popular bean daifuku. At local product exhibitions, you can only purchase them with a numbered ticket, but at the main store in Kyoto, you can buy them individually. If you can't make it to Kyoto, you can also find them at the Meigaselection corner in Osaka. In Nagoya's JR Takashimaya basement, they are available once a week, but timing is key. The Namba store allows you to purchase them every day after 1pm, except on the main store's day off. I always make sure to stop by on my way back from Namba to buy a pack of three. I love the texture of the beans and the perfect sweetness of the red bean paste. On this visit, I bought a pack of five and they were just as delicious. The beans are plentiful and they pair perfectly with the smooth red bean paste. A friend who tried them for the first time also commented on the elegant sweetness and chewy texture. In January 2015, I once again made the trip to Namba to buy the delicious bean daifuku without having to wait in line. The combination of red adzuki beans and sweet red bean paste in these subtly sweet bean daifuku is irresistible. I also purchased a pack of three momiji manju from Fudaiya that I had tried on Miyajima Island.

There is a corner in the wagashi (Japanese sweets) section at Takashimaya where they sell almost all famous regional sweets from Japan. I often visit this place as they have hidden gems that you can buy for a few hundred yen. Similar sections can be found in other department stores like Hankyu Umeda and Isetan, but in the Minami area, this place is the best. This time, I bought a new Mie sweet called "Chijou no Hoshi." It is a manju with white chocolate on top, filled with fluffy white bean paste and rum raisins inside. It's a unique sweet that goes beyond traditional wagashi. Be careful not to leave it in a warm place as the white chocolate may melt. This product is probably temporary. They also have long-selling items, with most of them being sold for a long time. My favorite is the peanut manju from a brand called Nagomi no Komeya. I wonder what the next hidden gem will be.

When I was living in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, I used to frequently buy the delicious bean cakes from Demachi Futaba for myself and as souvenirs. These bean cakes, which are extremely popular among locals and never compromise their quality for tourists, always had a long line. Even after leaving Kyoto and exploring various traditional sweet shops in Osaka, I couldn't find a substitute for Futaba's bean cakes. So when I discovered that I could buy them at Hankyu or Takashimaya, I was thrilled. I took the Nankai train to Takashimaya's basement floor and was amazed by the many famous traditional sweet shops there. After a little confusion, I finally found the bean cakes and bought a pack of five. When I tried one at home, it brought back nostalgic memories and tasted just as delicious as I remembered. I'll share the rest with my family before they get too hard. While I usually believe that you have to visit the original shop to truly enjoy traditional sweets, being able to purchase Futaba's bean cakes at Takashimaya was a pleasant surprise. I was also impressed by the variety of traditional and modern sweets available in one place. I'll definitely visit Takashimaya again. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

I summarized what I bought in June. On June 1st in Osaka, I bought warabi mochi made with bracken flour and lotus flour at Issihn. It was chewy and had a lot of kinako powder, giving it a satisfying texture. In Kyoto, I purchased lemon peel manju at Tawaraya Yoshitomi, which was sweet and sour, perfect for summer. In Hiroshima at Heiando Umetsubo, I bought Aki lemon manju, which was also sweet and sour and refreshing, perfect for summer. On June 8th in Kyoto, I bought Kyoto red bean and Tamba red bean manju at Ajyarishi Honpo Mangetsu. It was made with high-quality ingredients and had a good texture and taste. On June 23rd in Hikone, I bought Kaerimichi 1/2 at Ito Juukashiya, which had a hint of salt added to agar and yokan, with large chestnuts inside. It was surprisingly not too sweet and had a good texture. On June 17th in Ehime, I bought Setouchi lemon at Boem. It was sweet and sour and easy to eat, perfect for this time of year. In Osaka at Fukudaya Ueyo Manju in Tennoji Ward, I bought a simple and light manju. On June 26th in Tokyo at Nakamuraya, I bought fruit mooncake, which was wrapped in crispy skin and filled with 5 types of fruit soaked in liquor. The sweet and sour taste of the fruit was delicious. On June 30th in Kyoto, I bought chestnut anmitsu at Bun'nosuke Chaya during the Japanese sweets weekly event. It had three chestnuts, red bean paste, agar, and black honey, giving it a rich flavor. I also bought warabi manju at Matsufukudo Masakazu in Asahi Ward, which was chewy with a light sweet red bean paste filling. This season seems to focus on refreshing and cool desserts, with lots of citrus fruits, fruit-based, anmitsu, and yokan products available. It was a delicious treat.