Sawa no Tsuyu - ¥480 I have loved Sawa no Tsuyu crystal candy since I was a little kid. It seems like they have been making these candies since the Meiji era in 1871. I wonder if there are any candy makers older than this one? My grandma used to buy these for me all the time. I especially loved sucking on them during winter. The slight citrus flavor is so nice. I used to think they used dried tangerine peel in these candies, but now they use lemons from France? Quite fancy for the Meiji era! It feels like a mix of old and new. I remember my grandpa was always so kind and I loved him. My whole family, including my niece, loves these candies, so my mom often buys them. They are not too sweet and feel good on the throat. These candies are a great souvenir from Otaru! If you want to try them out, go for the small plastic bag, but if you are buying them as a gift, the ones in the tin can look lovely!

The other day, I found this shop while strolling around Otaru. They only had "Crystal Candy" in bags or boxes in the showcase! I was drawn to their catchphrase that it provides moisture to the throat, so I bought it immediately. The ingredients are sugar, vegetable oil, and flavoring. According to the shop's website, they use lemon flavoring from France. The candy has a subtle acidity and an elegant sweetness, not overly sticky. Although it's 99.2% carbohydrates, I couldn't help but have another one! The "Crystal Candy" has been loved since 1969, and it's really delicious. It seems to have air bubbles due to the traditional manufacturing method, so sometimes my tongue gets caught while rolling the candy in my mouth. I wish it didn't leave air bubble marks. Thank you, "Sawa no Tsuyu"!

Established in the 44th year of the Meiji era, the long-established candy shop called Sawano Tsuyu is known for their unique approach of focusing on one type of candy. Alongside Rokubei, it is a popular candy store in Otaru. The main store is located at the entrance of Hanagin-dori, and their products can also be found in souvenir shops within Otaru. Their specialty lies in using only sugar and lemon oil, without any artificial coloring or preservatives. The natural sweetness and gentle flavor make it a delightful treat. Upon trying it, it may seem sweeter than expected, but the taste is familiar to those who have had it before. However, compared to other long-standing candy brands like Kogane Sugar and UHA Mikakuto, which were established in the Taisho era, Sawano Tsuyu has a longer history. Additionally, the absence of additives and the use of sugar instead of corn syrup sets it apart. Upon tasting it, Sawano Tsuyu's candy is light and refreshing, with a subtle hint of lemon oil that lingers pleasantly after finishing it. The meticulous craftsmanship and traditional techniques that go into making these candies are evident, showcasing the high quality of their products. It is rare to find such artisanal skills being passed down through generations, and it is hoped that this tradition will continue to thrive.

On a certain holiday in Otaru before the JR fare revision, I stumbled upon a traditional candy shop called Hanazono 1 while searching on Tabelog. As soon as I entered, the showcase greeted me, and there were some retro decorations on the side, which I imagined must be the owner's hobby. From the menu that day, there was only one option, a candy called "Sawanotsuyu," showing the simplicity of choices. When I found out that the price varied by quantity and container, I naturally chose the cheapest option, "Sawanotsuyu (300 yen)." When I got home and took a bite... Oh, it had a refined sweetness! There were 16 pieces in the pack, and I learned that this candy was made only with sugar, resulting in a golden, transparent candy with a high level of clarity. Despite being candy, it had a gentle and rounded sweetness that spread in my mouth, making it delicious. I thought this would make a nice little gift, so I decided to buy a few packs next time to give as souvenirs. Thank you for the meal.

Honestly, I thought it would be too sweet just by looking at it, but the crystal candy ball of Otaru specialty "Sawanotsuyu" has a simple taste and is delicious with a subtle lemon flavor. It is not as cloyingly sweet as a butterscotch candy. I can see why this taste has been around for over 100 years! Thank you for the meal!

On March 1, 2019 (Fri), during my winter trip to Hokkaido, one of the places I visited in Otaru was "Sawa no Tsuyuhonpo" shop. The shop is located on the famous Sushi Street in Otaru, where many renowned sushi restaurants are lined up. I almost missed the small shop while checking out the famous sushi restaurants. "Sawa no Tsuyuhonpo" was established in 1911 in Hokkaido, Otaru. The shop only sells one type of candy, which is also the name of the shop, called "Sawa no Tsuyu". The amber-colored candy sparkles beautifully like a jewel! It is all-natural (no artificial coloring or preservatives), which is great. The difference from regular candy lies in its texture. It melts slowly, giving it a unique characteristic. The gentle sweetness and the subtle lemon aroma make the flavor wonderful. I was truly impressed by this encounter with a candy unlike any I have tasted before. This beautifully crafted candy will surely continue to be loved for a long time. Thank you for the meal.

The reviewer said that even the Tsubokko candy wife had never eaten it before, so it's a nostalgic candy. I decided to buy the one in a can since it was a rare find.

Blog: Sawa no Tsuyuhonpo (Otaru) Theme: Sawa no Tsuyu (Crystal Candy) ========== 2017-09-01 16:14:00 Blog: Sawa no Tsuyuhonpo (Otaru) Theme: Sawa no Tsuyu (Crystal Candy)

As always, the taste was refreshing and unchanged. Since I wear a mask all the time, it's important to take a break and enjoy some candy for a change of pace ❤️ I'll gradually come back to buy more. I'll be back soon.

Crystal candy balls

Not too heavy, easy to eat.

The candy is delicious! The highlight is the grandpa wearing an Apple Watch!

I finally had the chance to visit the restaurant that I had been curious about for a long time after reading reviews from raven-spk, めえめえめえ, ☆流れ星, ★スマイル★, かつろ, and うさのママ. It is located on what is known as the "Otaru Sushi Street" in the city center of Otaru. It is about 100 meters west of the former National Rail Temiya Line. The restaurant is a narrow two-story building with a glass door at the front. There is a yellow flag on the sidewalk as a marker. There is likely no private parking lot, so be careful if you go by car. The interior of the restaurant is small, with only a sales counter that also serves as a showcase. It can get crowded with just 4-5 people. Behind the counter, there is a quiet owner who seems to be managing the place alone. The only product available is "Sawa no Tsuyu," which is sold in bags, plastic cases, cans, and sets. I visited with one other person and bought two "Sawa no Tsuyu - small bag (300 yen)" each and two "Sawa no Tsuyu - small can (700 yen)" as a souvenir for my father. The "Sawa no Tsuyu" is slightly larger than a marble, with an uneven, irregular spherical shape that gives it a handmade feel. It is semi-transparent with a deep yellow color resembling amber or tortoiseshell. When light passes through it, it looks very beautiful. It has a subtly sweet and natural taste with a hint of lemon flavor. It melts in your mouth without any stickiness, making you forget that you are eating candy. It was well received by my father as well. While Otaru has many Western-style souvenirs, this kind of souvenir is also recommended, especially for older people.

The restaurant had a great reputation among my friends, so I decided to visit when I was nearby. The place didn't look like a traditional candy store at all, with only one type of candy in the display case, but a wide variety of packaging options. The prices ranged from cheap to expensive. After trying it, I found that it tasted like a round, traditional sesame candy.

On the first weekend of February; starting with a visit to "Yukiakari no Michi" and enjoying a late lunch (with Beer) at a long-established Western-style restaurant, followed by a reservation for sushi in the evening, there was some time left before that, so I decided to go to the "local candy shop" that I had planned to visit. I bought two pouches for ¥500 each from the artisan father at the small candy shop at the entrance of Hanazono Ginza, which was featured in a special article in a national newspaper. Even when I mentioned the article, the father remained silent. I put one bag in my pocket and enjoyed the other while walking towards the backyard work on the former Teppozu Line site, heading to the local gym. The "Dew of the Marsh" (Crystal Candy); still as beautiful as ever. It had a sparkling amber glow rather than crystal. The round and lovely appearance matched the clear, soft sweetness and pure disappearing taste... Ah, this is what candy should be! From Chuo Bridge to the local gym, I boarded the Otaru Canal (Night) Cruise I had reserved for the day. I savored another candy as I embarked. We sailed from the departure point north on the southern canal, passing under the Tsukimi Bridge to Otaru Port, overlooking the Central and Shioya Piers, then back south on the southern canal, passing under the Kitahama Bridge to the northern canal. On the land side of the canal, small boats and barges (not in operation but for tourism) are moored, preserving the appearance of the canal before the construction of the port access road. In the past, when maritime transport was thriving, the sailors who connected the anchored ships and land warehouses with barges surely relied on this candy hidden in their pockets for physical and mental strength. A gem that recalls the history of maritime Otaru. "If you haven't tasted it yet, you must!"... It was delicious. Thank you for the meal!

Three foodies are exploring Otaru, and we visited a shop that I had been wanting to go to. This shop has been around since the Meiji era, over 100 years, and they only sell one thing: crystal candy. I had never been to this shop when I lived in Otaru, so this was my first time. The shop is small and cozy, and the friendly owner greeted us when we entered. The display case had beautiful golden crystal candies lined up in different quantities. I decided to buy a 500 yen pack with about 20 pieces as a souvenir. When I tried one, it was elegantly sweet, without leaving a sticky or dry feeling in my mouth afterwards. It also had a subtle citrus flavor, making it refreshing. Just couldn't stop popping them in my mouth! It's worth noting that these candies don't contain preservatives or artificial colors, so they need to be stored in a cool place to prevent melting. I might just have to buy more in the future!