◉ Genre: Japanese sweets ◉ Area: Amu Plaza Kokura, Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City ◉ Access: A few minutes' walk from JR Kokura Station ◉ Parking: Available ◉ Credit card payment: Accepted ◉ Frequency of use: First time ◉ Number of reviews: 1 On this day, I happened to visit "Okashi no Tsuruhei Amu Plaza Store." ◇ Exterior and Interior Located on the first floor of Amu Plaza, a commercial facility directly connected to JR Kokura Station in Kokurakita Ward, Kitakyushu City, this is a Japanese sweets shop. It is a renowned confectionery born in Kitakyushu, with a history dating back to the Taisho era, representing the city. ◇ Seating Takeout only. ◇ Menu Various Japanese sweets, etc. The items I ordered were as follows: - Pongtuku (162 yen) → Including tax. When it comes to Tsuruhei, this is the one I automatically think of. There are various flavors like cream, matcha, chocolate, etc., with different prices, but the classic choice is cream. It is essentially a sponge cake wrapped in cream, with a soft texture and a rich cream flavor that is both delicious and interesting. It has a taste that you can easily get hooked on. It had been a while since I last had it, but it's still as good as ever! ◆ Strong Points Delicious traditional Japanese sweets with a rich history! ◆ Customer Service Average. ◆ Conclusion It might be worth trying it frozen. Or maybe I should try something other than Pongtuku occasionally. Thank you for the meal.

Inside Amu Plaza Kokura, there is a confectionery store called Tsuruhei. They were selling a chestnut-flavored version of the popular souvenir snack from Kokura, Pontsuku (ﾟ∀ﾟ). I bought the banana Pontsuku and the regular one as a snack for myself. The banana Pontsuku is like Tokyo Banana, with custard wrapped in fluffy sponge cake. It's quite delicious! (=´∀｀)

Since its establishment in the 12th year of Taisho, the beloved local confectionery shop <Tsuruhei> has been rooted in Kokura, Kitakyushu. One of their popular sweets is "Pontuku". It is a charming confection from Kokura, with a rich custard cream gently wrapped in sponge cake. It is also sold on the first floor of Kokura Station. By the way, "Pontuku" in Kitakyushu dialect means "a little quirky but charming". I bought Pontuku's jelly mango and peach flavors and ate them chilled. The packaging is cute. The mango flavor is sweet and the peach flavor has a refreshing sweetness. Both are delicious, but I preferred the peach flavor.

[New Release] Reiwa Ebisu Dorayaki 173 yen [Energy 189kcal Carbohydrates 30.5g] The product name includes the era name "Reiwa," but I don't particularly feel any novelty. However, I strongly feel the flavor of iyokan. Is this what Reiwa is supposed to be like...?

JR Kokura Station direct access, located on the 1st floor of the station building "Amu Plaza Kokura" West Wing. This is a branch of a traditional Japanese confectionery store founded in 1912 in Shimonone. Situated in a corner with souvenir shops, it has a prime location. The glass case at the storefront displays popular Kokura souvenirs. "Pontuk" is a Western-style confectionery with custard cream wrapped in sponge cake. The rich cream and moist cake are loved by both children and adults. The banana and matcha flavors are also delicious with a great aroma. Along with the famous "Kokura Diary" associated with Ogai Mori, this Kokura souvenir is highly popular.

- The pancake cream is plentiful and delicious - Banana flavor is recommended

Tsuruhei, known for their "pontuku" in the Hagi no Tsuki respect series found all over the country, offers a unique version called "Amaou Pontuku" near Kokura Station. This version uses high-quality Amaou strawberries, giving it a rich flavor without any artificial taste. The soft and chewy skin blends well with the filling, making it a truly special treat. While the regular "pontuku" can be found in various places nationwide, this one can be enjoyed as a unique "local specialty Hagi no Tsuki."

In July 2016, a friend who had traveled to Fukuoka and Yamaguchi gave me a gift from a shop called "Okashino Tsuruhei" at Amu Plaza in Kokura Station. The gift was a snack called "Pontuku." Tsuruhei originated from a manju (steamed bun) shop founded by the first generation, Gokichi Harada, at the foot of the former Kokura City Nakashima, Shikawa Army Bridge in Taisho 12 (1923). "Pontuku" comes in five flavors: custard and matcha are the standard ones, while black sesame, mango, and summer pontuku (which is cream cheese) were also included. The bag features a cute "Pontuku Samurai" print. Here is the profile of the "Pontuku Samurai": Nickname: Pontuku Samurai Birthday: July 1, 1923 Hometown: Kitakyushu City Current location: Fukuoka Prefecture Occupation: Other occupation Occupation details: Samurai Self-introduction: I am the Pontuku Samurai. Hobbies: Pontuku Strengths: Pontuku-like Weaknesses: Pontuku-like Recent obsession: Pontuku What's your catchphrase?: You really are a Pontuku person. Favorite food: Pontuku However, despite being 93 years old, he doesn't look it at all. I tried the snack right away. It's a fluffy pastry filled with lots of cream, similar to Kagoshima's "Castella" or Sendai's "Hagi no Tsuki." The classic custard was delicious, but my favorite was definitely the mango, which had a summery feel. Thank you for the treat!

July 15, 2016 (Day 1) I extended my trip to Fukuoka using the excuse of returning to Yamaguchi. I took the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka, passing through Shin-Yamaguchi and arriving at Kokura Station. From there, I went to Moji Port Station, the starting point of the JR Kagoshima Main Line. I enjoyed a late lunch of hot "yaki curry" and local beer, then explored the Moji Port Retro District. I returned to Kokura Station on the JR Kagoshima Line and headed to Kokura's kitchen, the "Tanga Market," to buy some souvenirs. Before that, I made a quick stop at "Okashi no Tsuruhei" in the West Building 1st floor of Amu Plaza Kokura to buy some Kokura souvenirs. I came across the "Pon-tsuku" assortment bag, a limited-time offer for the 93rd anniversary of the traditional Japanese confectionery shop "Tsuruhei," and couldn't resist buying two bags. Each bag contained 5 different flavors of Pon-tsuku at a special price. The flavors included the original Pon-tsuku, matcha Pon-tsuku, black sesame Pon-tsuku, summer Pon-tsuku, and mango Pon-tsuku. The Pon-tsuku had a custard cream filling wrapped in a sponge, with a delightful blend of Japanese and Western flavors. My favorite flavors were the summer Pon-tsuku for its refreshing taste and the mango Pon-tsuku for its rich sweetness. The packaging featured a character called "Pon-tsuku Samurai," who was depicted as a lovable and slightly clumsy popular figure in Kokura. I also received a complimentary matcha Pon-tsuku as a gesture of hospitality. Overall, it was a delightful culinary experience in Kokura.

"I noticed a famous sweet called 'Kokura Diary,' which has a connection to Mori Ogai, so I bought it as a souvenir. Have you seen this before when you lived in Hiroshima? It might be a well-known souvenir. Kokura Diary comes in a pack of 6 for ¥713. They are small roll cakes with cream inside. They are not intense but surprisingly heavy. Each one is small, but eating one is enough. It's delicious, but unless you're a big eater, it's better to eat a small amount. Of course, they also sell many other souvenirs! They are located on the first floor of Amu Plaza, where souvenir shops are gathered, making it easy to find. But I'm feeling a bit down now because I ate too much with other sweets and feel sick at the station. Maybe next time, I'll switch to a light Japanese meal... Kokura Taiko White Bean Paste for ¥108 (tax included) was also delicious. I bought both white bean paste and black bean paste. As soon as I opened the bag, a fragrant smell like grilled meat filled the air. The fragrant dough and the enjoyable grainy white bean paste. It was satisfyingly delicious. Pon Tsuku Custard for ¥130 (tax included) is a popular product in Kokura souvenirs. When you bite into it, the custard is more creamy and smooth than you'd expect! Soft dough with creamy custard. It was delicious. They also have matcha and black sesame flavors. Kokura Manju for ¥108 (tax included) is a Japanese-Western hybrid confection with bean paste wrapped in pie crust. I love the buttery aroma of the pie crust. I prefer this kind of firmness over the soft manju. Enjoyable texture."

There is a store located to the left of the entrance on the 1st floor of Amu Plaza attached to JR Kokura Station. I was recommended to try "Pontuku," which is a signature product of Tsuruhei, and I was given a sample to taste. Pontuku comes in three flavors: custard, matcha, and black sesame. There was a set available with two of each flavor, so I decided to purchase that. Pontuku is a sweet treat with custard cream wrapped in sponge cake. When chilled, the cream has a chewy texture. In the local dialect of Kitakyushu, "Pontuku" means "a person with a silly side, but with charm and likability."

On this day in July 2015, I went on an expedition to Kokura in Kitakyushu City. After lunch, I strolled around Kokura Station before heading to Moji Port by JR Kagoshima Line. I came across a shop called "Tsuruhei" in the Amu Plaza connected to the station, which was established in 1912. I tried some samples and ended up purchasing two items: Pon Tuku (130 yen) and Pon Tuku Matcha (130 yen). The Pon Tuku is a simple custard cream wrapped in a fluffy sponge, which can also be enjoyed chilled. The Pon Tuku Matcha, on the other hand, is a green tea-flavored version of the same treat. Personally, I preferred the custard flavor over the matcha. This was my second expedition to Kokura, but it was my first time shopping there. I look forward to trying more things on my next visit.

On the first floor of Amu Plaza at Kokura Station, there is a souvenir corner featuring representative sweets of Kokura. One store that caught my daughter's eye was "Tsuruhei," offering a special deal of a "delightful bag" worth 890 yen for only 500 yen for three days. Tsuruhei is known for its signature sweets "Kokura Nikki" and "Pontuku." Kokura Nikki, a Baumkuchen cake, is made using a traditional method without any leavening agents, relying solely on the power of eggs. It is a treat that reminds us of the literary figure Mori Ogai, who had a connection to Kokura. My daughter purchased it as a gift for her friends and acquaintances in Tokyo. Pontuku, on the other hand, brings back memories of a traffic accident. On my daughter's 8th birthday, we were on our way to buy a cake when we got into an accident involving a staff member from Tsuruhei. Thankfully, no one was injured, but our car was totaled. Unable to celebrate her birthday as planned, the person involved in the accident came by in the evening with 30 Pontuku as an apology. It was a bittersweet memory. Established in 1923, Tsuruhei offers a variety of traditional Japanese and Western confectioneries deeply rooted in the local community of Kokura. We enjoyed the delicious treats while reminiscing about the past (^。^)y-.。o○

A traditional Japanese confectionery store located in Amu Plaza Kokura within JR Kokura Station in Kitakyushu City. They produce and sell a variety of sweets, many of which are packaged for souvenirs, but they also offer individual items. One of their offerings is the "Kokura Diary," a small Baumkuchen filled with orange peel buttercream. It offers a moist texture of Baumkuchen and a smooth creaminess of the filling. It is similar to the Tangkusa Nagasaki Monogatari that I had before. It is unclear if this is a copycat product or an original creation, as similar sweets may be made by other companies.