I purchased a box of 6 famous souvenirs from Fukuoka Prefecture. The price was reasonable. The outside was crispy and inside was filled with red bean paste. The sweetness was not too strong and the appearance was cute, making it a good souvenir. The products are available not only at the main store but also inside Hakata Station, so it's convenient to purchase them at the end of your trip.

I found a charming traditional Japanese confectionery shop on the way to "Oryori Yamanokuchi" restaurant and decided to stop by. The shop had a nostalgic feel to it and I was delighted to discover they sold "Fukuume Monaka," which I had been wanting to buy as a souvenir. The shop owner was very friendly and I regretted not buying more treats to take home. The sweet potato treat with a hint of rum was especially delicious. It was a lucky find and I enjoyed my visit to the shop.

After leaving Sushitaka, I was walking down a back alley in Canal City when I noticed a white curtain hanging in front of a shop. The building looked quite old, like a long-established establishment. I couldn't resist going inside, where I saw a traditional wooden showcase filled with original Japanese sweets. The owner came out from the back and we had a chat, and I learned that this was a well-established Japanese sweet shop that has been around for over 120 years. I didn't know that they were available in all the major department stores in the city (Fukuoka Mitsukoshi, Hakata Daimaru, Iwataya, and Hakata Hankyu). When I mentioned that I didn't know, they offered me a sample of their specialty "Fukuume Monaka." The Monaka had a plum blossom shape on the outside, but inside it had a refined "uguisu" flavor, not plum. It was smooth and elegant in taste. Other specialties included "Tosensen," with a sophisticated Chinese flavor, "Kanjin," inspired by the national treasure discovered on Shiga Island in Tenmei 4, "Okiuto," a nostalgic local delicacy from Hakata, and "Kurumi," another representative sweet like Fukuume, with addictive special walnut paste. All of them were elegant and perfect for gifts.

In June 2016, I visited Hakataza after a long time. I found my favorite "Fukuume Senbei"! I bought a set only available at Hakataza, which included Fukuume Senbei (red and white), Hakataza Senbei, sweet potato, dorayaki, Karakobune, and coffee zenzai for 1600 yen. I tried the Fukuume Senbei as there was a sample available, and it's a great opportunity to try it out! The package features Kabuki makeup, making it a nice souvenir. In July 2015, I recommend "Fukuume Senbei," a traditional confectionery from Hakata, especially for red bean lovers. There is a confectionery shop in Haruyoshi where you can buy just one piece (150 yen) at the department store's famous confectionery corner, which is convenient. Sometimes they may be out of stock, but I always buy just what I want when I go shopping at the department store. Today, I bought some again... The skin and red bean paste are separate, and the crispy skin is incomparable to other senbei, but I like the red bean paste here. The size is just right. It contains white bean paste with hand-picked beans and sweet potatoes. I received red and white Fukuume Senbei as a gift in the past. If you need a certain quantity, you can order pink senbei from the store as they don't have them at the department store. I would like to order them for celebratory occasions.

I visited the store directly to purchase "Fukuume Monaka" as a souvenir, instead of going to the department store food basement. I also wanted some for home, so I bought "Fukuume Monaka" along with the limited-time "Sweet Potato" (^_^) "Fukuume Monaka" is a signature product loved since the establishment in Meiji 22, with cute small-sized pieces. It is modeled after the plum at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. When you bite into the crispy and fragrant outer skin, you will find plenty of smooth white bean paste inside. It also contains large, plump sweet red beans, with a gentle sweetness. It goes well with delicious tea! The limited-time "Sweet Potato" made with sweet potatoes from Nokonoshima from October to May has a light rum flavor and a smooth, moist texture. I usually don't like mushy things, but I quite liked this sweet potato)^o^(It was quickly devoured (^^) Thank you for the meal♪ * "Fukuume Monaka" is also available at Iwataya.

I bought some souvenirs here! I also bought one for myself. The current owner is apparently the 5th generation, making it a well-established shop. They are known to supply to various places. Their signature product, Ume Senbei (senbei shaped like a plum, not plum-flavored), has a simple yet elegant taste with a firm white bean paste filling. It goes well with matcha! I really enjoyed it. I hope these traditional Japanese confectionery shops like this one continue to thrive.