Crispy senbei is good, but soft senbei soaked in tea is also delicious~ Large-sized senbei is the best!

After enjoying a special ramen set at Raiken, I took a leisurely stroll through the streets of Kurume. Suddenly, I noticed a sign on a utility pole advertising "Tire Monaka." Tire Monaka? In a city known for being the birthplace of Bridgestone, it made sense, but isn't Monaka supposed to be a delicate sweet treat? The shop had a traditional feel typical of a local confectionery. Inside, I found the Tire Monaka. Priced at 160 yen each, these were quite large, with a diameter of 6-7cm. The shape resembled a tire, with a slightly thicker outer layer and a slightly raised center. The "wheel" was filled with a finely textured sweet red bean paste that was quite sweet. The outer layer of the Tire Monaka was thin, but the sweetness was a bit overwhelming. Perhaps some adjustments could be made to the outer layer? Additionally, the design on the outer layer was not of a tire, but simply the words "Tire Monaka." It seemed lacking in playfulness. However, as a Monaka, it was delicious. It was a nice treat after the ramen.

Store Name: Kikkinkashiho Address: 12-28 Hiyoshi-cho, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture Located in the heart of Kurume, a long-established Japanese confectionery shop that is slightly off the Kurume Bypass towards the cultural district. Intrigued by the unique name "Kurume Tire Monaka," I decided to make a purchase. Upon opening the round and slightly large packaging, I found round and white tire-shaped monaka inside. The monaka had the words "Kurume Tire Monaka" stamped on the surface. When I broke it open, it revealed a generous amount of black bean paste that rivaled the blackness of a tire. The monaka was pleasantly sweet and delicious. Kurume is known as the birthplace of Bridgestone, with a long history of rubber manufacturing, so it seems this confectionery is inspired by that. Kurume may not be well-known for souvenirs other than ramen, but it's nice to discover such wonderful sweets like this.

On January 4th, I visited Takarayama for the Three Shrines visit, but unfortunately they didn't have Itsumoji at Yoshikane's stall, which is always there. I wonder why they don't sell it at Takarayama, considering it's inspired by the amulets of Suiten-gu Shrine. Itsumoji is a subtly fragrant and elegant sweet, perfect for souvenirs for tea lovers. After viewing paintings at Ishibashi Museum on the same day, I spotted a set of matcha and Itsumoji at Rakusuitei, and for some reason, I felt like having Itsumoji, so I visited the shop. Itsumoji, with its subtle yuzu fragrance, pairs excellently with Japanese tea. Yoshikane, a famous confectionery shop in Kurume, is known for its Itsumoji, the most popular sweet in the store. This sweet is reminiscent of my childhood, as it was always the souvenir my grandmother on my mother's side would bring. It is a refined sweet for Kurume, with a perfect match for matcha. The gentle yuzu aroma and sweet taste, along with a unique texture, make it a delightful treat. The Tyre Monaka from Kurume is shaped like a tire, paying homage to Bridgestone, the birthplace of tires in Kurume. The sweet potato-filled monaka has an incredibly delicious outer layer. The sweet potato expands when steamed, creating a soft and gentle texture for the monaka's skin. I hope this shop continues to thrive in the future.

Kurume's specialty is not just B-class gourmet food. The Suiten-gu Shrine, Bridgestone Tire, and Kurume's kasuri fabric are also famous. I discovered a confectionery shop that sells sweets inspired by Kurume. It is the established in Meiji 8th year, Yoshikane Confectionery Shop. Especially, the Suiten-gu Shrine amulet sweet [Itsumoji] is a famous sweet from Kurume. Additionally, at Bridgestone, they apparently distribute [Tire Monaka] as an official event. Yoshikane Confectionery Shop's sweets include: Itsumoji for 105 yen - a delicate tea sweet with a wafer and white monaka filled with a thin rakugan. It starts with a strong sweetness but becomes more refined, leaving a smooth texture and a lingering monaka taste, making it an elegant treat. It goes well with a rich matcha tea. Kasuri for Kurume - intrigued by the name inspired by Kurume's kasuri fabric, I purchased this sweet. It is a small sweet filled with marmalade jam. It seems to have captured my wife's heart! Additionally: - It's not necessary to eat only the Itsumoji to enjoy Kurume's specialty products. It was simply a refined sweet that pairs well with strong matcha tea. It may be recommended for those who serve tea. - If anyone has tried Tire Monaka, please leave a comment! It piques my curiosity.

This is the third stop on my tour of traditional Japanese sweet shops in Kurume. I was told by a fellow reviewer that the sweets here are always delicious, so I was excited to visit. The shop has a calm and elegant atmosphere. I decided to try some of their lesser-known sweets instead of the popular tire-shaped monaka. 1. "Itsujimoji Omamori Size": A thin, crispy rice flour wafer filled with a sugar that tastes like yuzu. The gentle yuzu flavor spreads in your mouth, perfect to enjoy with a delicate green tea. 2. "Chestnut Seed Colon": A small sweet with moist egg yolk paste and a whole chestnut in the center. The soft egg yolk paste and the natural sweetness of the chestnut blend well together. 3. "Ume no Mi": Similar to the chestnut sweet, but with a sour plum instead. Inside is a jam-like sweet and sour plum, with a large plum seed inside. Be careful when eating, as the seed can be hard to bite into. Overall, the sweets I tried had a gentle and comforting flavor. I look forward to exploring more traditional Japanese sweet shops in Kurume in the future.

Located at the intersection of Showa Street and Torimachi 3-chome, heading towards Mutsumon, you will find a unique treat known as Tire Senbei. Despite its unusual name, this treat is quite impressive as the senbei skin is shaped like a tire. It is said to be inspired by the renowned company Bridgestone, which is based in Kurume. The packaging features the iconic Kurume Kasuri design, and even the individual wrapping paper is decorated with tire patterns in the Kurume Kasuri style. However, do not be misled by the playful presentation, as the senbei itself is a high-quality traditional Japanese sweet. The taste is slightly sweet with a Kurume twist, making it a perfect match for a cup of bitter tea. This souvenir is filled with Kurume charm and is sure to delight anyone who receives it.