When checking in at "HOTEL CULTIA Dazaifu" in Dazaifu, a cold tea was served along with "Uso no Tori" from this shop. Uso is a bush warbler and the sacred bird of Tenjin. It had a gentle sweetness with refined Japanese sugar. The next day, before boarding the train to Nishitetsu Tenjin, my wife requested "Uso no Mochi" from this shop. This is also related to the Tenjin shrine rituals, but this one is made with cowhide, making it soft. The appearance of the cowhide may not be very appealing, but it is wrapped in a light green color with a faint taste of shiso. Inside the box, there is one "Uso". The shop has a fairly impressive signboard, and the interior is like a typical Japanese confectionery shop with only shelves displaying sweets. There is also a letter from the electric power tycoon, Matsunaga Yasuzemon, addressed to the shop. Although the shop was established in 1948, it is not yet considered an old-established store, but it is likely to continue to prosper as it will always have visitors coming to the Tenmangu Shrine. Among the various shops along the approach, this one stands out in terms of its charm and atmosphere.

Houmanzan - 1850 yen. Umeen (Dazaifu). The main ingredients are sugar, eggs, mizuame, and agar. It has a similar texture to "Tsurunoko" from Fukuoka or "Awa Yuki" from Mikawa, Aichi, but with a beautiful yellow color and a wetter feel that clings to the tongue, which is nice. It gives off an erotic vibe. It seems to be a long-standing confectionery used in tea ceremonies. I like the taste of eggs, so if you go to Hakata, the souvenir would be chicken egg noodles, so trying out Houmanzan in Dazaifu would also be a good idea. They also have variations with rum raisins or Daikokuji natto. The traditional Japanese confectionery shop seems to have a playful side, with many interesting products available.

I bought some souvenir sweets for my daughter. I was oddly intrigued by the earthy flavors of the "Uso no Mochi" (Fake Rice Cake) - Small for ¥980 and the "Takeman-yama" (Treasure Mountain) - Half Box for ¥880 that I saw at a store. I also got a sticker for ¥400, featuring a silhouette of a frog climbing Takeman-yama. The staff at the store kindly explained about Takeman-yama and the sweets, making it a delightful experience. I preferred the Takeman-yama over the Uso no Mochi.

I visited a shop on the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Dazaifu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. I bought a half-size Takamanoyama and a bite-sized Takamanoyama raisin, which were once offered by the Emperor. The raisin flavor was delicious. The regular one had a mysterious taste, like a mix between eggs and sweet bean jelly. The sweetness was strong. Thank you for the meal.

I entered the shop and ended up buying a variety of things, feeling a bit of regret afterwards. However, surprisingly, everything turned out to be to my liking, and I wish I had bought a little more. In the shopping street of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, trying various shops' Umeboshi mochi is nice, but it's also good to buy various things at this shop. Uso no mochi, Imo Manju, Hoomanzan, Ume Mori, Yorotsuyo, Usushu all have a simple and delicate feel to them, which I think reflects the care put into making them. They are not extravagant, but they have a certain beauty. They look delicious, so with care, they become even more delicious. I see, that's why it's called Umeen!

【2021.12.30 - 2022.06.26】"1255" I finally cut into the wagashi that I had bought to eat. It had been in the freezer for almost half a year, but there was no problem at all. It wasn't even frozen. Truly amazing. But it's about time to eat it. Originally, I bought it to enjoy as tea sweets with my family on New Year's. Unfortunately, that opportunity never came and here we are now. It's been 10 days at room temperature, and 1 month in the freezer! We are way past the recommended storage time. But it's still fine. I purchased ◾️ Takeman'yama (Plain) - a classic choice. ◾️ Takeman'yama (Rum Raisin) - my first time trying this. The raisins are not overpowering and it's delicious. ◾️ Ume Mamoru - I received this as an apology for a little trouble at the register. It has the zodiac sign of the tiger for 2022 burned on it. I am convinced that this is the best in Dazaifu. In my opinion, it's even better than umegae mochi.

Let's take a stroll in Dazaifu. There are many traditional Japanese sweet shops lined up along the approach, making it a fun experience. First, let's visit "Baen," a shop designated by Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. I bought their specialty, "Uso no Mochi." It is a confection made of green shiso-flavored sweet bean paste covered in delicate green rice flour, but on the 25th of every month, it turns a deep red color to represent plum blossoms. Since I happened to visit on the 25th, Tenjin-sama's day, I purchased the red Uso no Mochi. It comes with a haiku poem about Uso birds, which are included in the box as small wooden figurines. The sweet and soft mochi, paired with the slightly crunchy rice flour, creates a delightful combination. Despite being sweet, the refreshing taste of shiso adds a nice touch to this traditional Japanese sweet. Additionally, they included a small complimentary sweet, which was a nice surprise. When I simply asked for "Tenjin-sama's Uso no Mochi," the staff immediately knew I wasn't from Kyushu. Perhaps it was because I was in a tourist area?

I was drawn to a charming and elegant store on Dazaifu Tenmangu Street. The Yorotsuyo had a light texture and just the right amount of sweetness. Among the 15 pieces of "lying mochi," there is supposedly one lucky piece, and I think I found my favorite with a fluffy and chewy texture. I had a hard time deciding, but I chose white bean paste for the filling. The packaging was done with care, and they even added a small extra gift. I am grateful!

I visited Dazaifu, which was said to have a very high level of traditional Japanese sweets, and finally had the chance to stop by. I purchased the Odaitokiji Natto-filled Takamanoyama. It is a mysterious confection that looks like a Japanese sweet but has the texture of a Western sweet. It looks like a rolled omelette, but the texture is completely different. It has a slight elasticity, but it melts in your mouth right away. The taste is elegantly sweet with the flavor of eggs spreading in your mouth. The Odaitokiji Natto adds a nice accent. It may be a matter of personal preference, but I enjoyed the taste. This confection made me realize how deep and intriguing the world of traditional Japanese sweets can be.

I had to go to Tokyo for a business trip and was looking for a gift for an important person I was going to meet. I consulted with a close friend at work, who is from Dazaifu, and she recommended a traditional Japanese confectionery shop that is popular among locals. Since the confections were not sold at department stores, I decided to make a special trip to Dazaifu from Tenjin. The shop, which has been in business for over 70 years, is located along the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. I purchased a set for about 5500 yen from the gift corner at the back of the shop. Unfortunately, one of the confections on the left side was sold out, so I asked for a different one. When asked about the purpose of the gift, I mentioned it was for a celebratory occasion, so the staff suggested an arrangement of auspicious red and white sugar candies (for an additional 800 yen). They also asked if I wanted a decorative paper wrapping, and suggested using one with the phrase "Greetings" since it was for a celebratory occasion. After a short wait, the gift was prepared. Since it was my first time visiting the shop, I bought one piece of each confection to taste for myself. The "Takemanzan" confection had a fluffy and unique texture with an elegant sweetness. The signature product "Ume-Mori" consisted of a blend of Kyoto-style baked wheat gluten filled with a paste made from Hokkaido red beans, coated with sugar syrup and granulated sugar. The "Hi-Ume" sugar candies were shaped like plums and had a delicate sweetness with a hint of flavor from the Japanese sugar. All the confections were elegant and perfect for gifting, although it's important to note that they have a short shelf life.

A traditional Japanese confectionery shop located on the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. They offer sweets inspired by Dazaifu's plum trees and elegant confections. Their famous lie-shaped rice cakes are a must-try, but I opted for a small Japanese sweet. There were so many cute treats displayed in the showcase that I wanted to buy them all. They were almost too beautiful to eat. The staff were very friendly, and I definitely want to go back!

This is not a lie, haha. A beautiful pink powder-covered mochi called "#Uso no Mochi". I forgot to post this about a month ago, it's a traditional confectionery from Fukuoka Prefecture. The vivid pink color is a slightly plum-flavored powder. Inside, there are bite-sized mochi pieces. The mini-sized traditional craft "Uso" carved from wood is adorable ❤️ "Uso" is the name of a bird. This pink version is limited edition, usually it comes in a bright young leaf color.

Well, the visit to Dazaifu has ended safely! While walking along the approach, I was drawn to a longstanding shop! I stepped inside and was impressed by the well-maintained building! Chatting with the staff, I decided to try the specialty sweets approved by Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine! Let's go! Mini Ume-Mori! A crispy baked Kyoto-style wheat gluten with a firm sweet bean paste filling! The light texture with a hint of saltiness, paired with the smooth sweet bean paste made with fine-quality sugar, creates an elegant taste! The plum and frog motifs on the sweets are quite impressive! Apparently, these sweets were even presented to the former Emperor and Empress during their visit to Kyushu! Such a prestigious traditional Japanese sweet! While chatting, I enjoyed a cold tea and savored the sweet treat! Since I'm staying here for a while, I'll have the Ume-Mori on the spot this time! These sweets from Umeen can also be purchased at department stores in Tokyo for a limited time, so I'll make sure to buy some when the schedule aligns! The popular "Uso no Mochi" with a hidden Hachiman doll "Uso Tori" seems to be a hit as well, making it a great souvenir from the area! With the chance of winning a prize out of the 16 pieces, it adds a fun element to the experience! Oh, the encounter with the famous sweets of Dazaifu! It has truly become a memorable part of my journey!

Hello. I'm Kozue, a beauty acupuncturist. The other day, when I went to Fukuoka, I visited Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. The approach was quiet with few people, and many shops were closed, giving it a somewhat lonely feeling, but I guess it can't be helped until the situation with COVID-19 settles down. This time, I stopped by a shop called Umeen, established in 1948, located on the approach. This shop is a traditional Japanese confectionery shop designated by Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. I purchased the "Houmanzan" in rum raisin flavor, which they have been making since their establishment. This product is called "Nanban-gashi". It is shaped like a long, thin square, similar to yokan, with a pale yellow color. It has a texture that is like a cross between yokan and agar jelly, with plenty of sweetness and flavor of rum. It is indeed a blend of Japanese and Western sweets, with various considerations made. It is quite filling due to its strong sweetness, so even a small piece can satisfy your stomach. Personally, I didn't quite like the texture, but I think the taste is delicious. My friend, on the other hand, really enjoyed the texture and felt that a little less sweetness would have been better. Exploring local traditional Japanese confectionery shops is very enjoyable. Thank you for the meal.

During the long weekend, I visited a restaurant around 1 pm with only a few customers present. After having lunch, I went to visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, where there was a line for prayers. Despite being a holiday, there weren't many people around, and I didn't see many foreign tourists either. After visiting the shrine, I walked along the approach and came across a famous traditional Japanese sweets shop called Umeen Honpo. Although I wasn't very interested in sweets, I had heard about this shop in the media recently and wanted to check it out. In Dazaifu, I had tried Ume-gaeshi mochi and Agekoya's pork buns, but I couldn't remember the name of this shop. I found Umeen Honpo near Dazaifu Station, where they displayed a tapestry indicating that they were the official supplier to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. I finally found the sweets I was looking for - Homanzan. This unique sweet is often served at tea ceremonies and has a texture that received mixed reviews. I decided to buy a half portion, but my companion also wanted to try the rum raisin flavor, so we got a half portion of that as well. The shop kindly provided us with a sample to taste. Although I had already eaten a lot of sweet bread that morning, I decided to save the Homanzan for the next day as a snack with my highball. When we cut it open, it had a texture similar to senbei, but also resembled firm yokan. Holding it, it felt light like snow, and my companions thought it looked like tamagoyaki. We cut it into six pieces and each had two. It was quite sweet and had a firm texture, not quite like senbei. The Homanzan was truly a unique sweet with a mysterious taste. It was sweeter than expected, so one piece was enough for me. Overall, it was an interesting and delicious experience trying Homanzan.

I visited in December 2019. The location is on the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. I had breakfast at Kazemidori and saw these traditional Japanese sweets on display. They looked so good that I decided to buy some as souvenirs. The atmosphere of the shop was also very nice. I purchased Hiume for 250 yen, Mini Ume for 180 yen, Tohukaze Ume for 220 yen, and Usu Tane for 155 yen. These prices are all tax included. I enjoyed them all at home. They were all delicious with a refined taste. I recommend them as souvenirs when visiting Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

I found out that there is a wagashi (Japanese sweet) with a small bird-shaped wagashi inside as part of the Uso exchange ritual at Temmangu Shrine, so I bought it. The shiso-flavored mochi in the shape of a small bird seemed like a unique and good souvenir. The Uso used to be made of wood carvings in the past, but now they are made of Hakata dolls (ceramics) since there are no craftsmen available. The Uso was wrapped in Japanese paper and buried between the sweets. The mochi of the wagashi can be easily removed thanks to the container that looks like an ice tray, but the big problem is the sugar decoration on the top. Although it can be cut with the included black letter opener, it crumbles easily and made quite a mess on the table when shared among several people. Eating the crumbled sugar decoration and mochi together gives a completely different impression compared to eating it without the sugar decoration. It seems like the sugar decoration is unnecessary. The shiso-flavored mochi alone is easier to eat and delicious. Perhaps there is a better way to eat it? Looking at other reviews, the Homanzan wagashi looks simple but incredibly delicious! The shelf life is only 5 days, so asking my friend in Kyushu to buy and send it to me when they visit the shrine is not feasible, so I messed up. But the Uso is cute. Uso? Is it true? Uso? False mochi for 864 yen.

Souvenir from Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka. Found a confectionery shop called Umeen on the way back along the approach. It looked like a long-established store. The atmosphere was nice, so I decided to go inside for a bit. I bought their specialty called "Homanzan." It's a gift presented to the Imperial Family. When I tried the sample, it had an indescribably elegant taste. It's a really well-made Japanese confectionery. It also keeps well, so I decided to buy it as a souvenir to take back to Osaka. I've been to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine a few times, but I didn't know about this place.

My wife and I went to Dazaifu for New Year's visit. After praying, we went to Umezon for some "uso" (lies). This place not only offers the classic lie mochi, but also allows you to sample almost all their sweets, and even serves tea. It was much appreciated to warm up our cold bodies after the chilly visit. When we opened the lie mochi at home, it turned out to be the pink New Year version.

This is a sweet treat with a hint of shiso flavor and green-colored sweetened red bean paste. It is slightly sweet and would go well with matcha tea. It comes with a small cute figurine inside.