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The closest traditional Japanese sweets shop is located near Sakaisuji Hommachi Station. I arrived at 9:45 am on a Saturday and there were 5 people ahead of me in line. The shop opened promptly at 11:00 am with the calm owner managing everything alone. The menu includes various options such as warabi mochi (12 flavors, 6 sizes) starting at 750 yen, red bean rice for 550 yen, owner's special spice curry (frozen) for 648 yen, seasonal warabi mochi "Kiren Kashiwa" for 814 yen, warabi mochi drink for 590 yen, evening parfait Ippin (available for takeout at lunch) for 1080 yen, and hand-made rice crackers for 400 yen, among others. I chose the "Warabi Mochi with Roasted Kinako" for 750 yen. I enjoyed it at home. The warabi mochi was covered in kinako powder, and the texture was the softest I've ever had. It melted in my mouth with a natural sweetness. It was incredibly delicious. There was a message on the wall of the shop that I transcribed below:
"My Warabi Mochi
While training in Kyoto, I used to make warabi mochi privately, and one day, an elderly lady's mother said to me, 'I can't eat anything, but I can eat your warabi mochi.' On the day after the 2011 earthquake, I had to cancel an event, and the same lady came and said, 'What, no event? That's a shame. My mother passed away recently, and I wanted to offer this to the Buddha today. Thank you for everything.' She cried as she thanked me. With the helpless feelings towards the earthquake and the impact my warabi mochi had on people, I decided to dedicate my life to being a warabi mochi craftsman. I started my own shop in Osaka on December 7, 2011, and here I am now. My warabi mochi carries these memories and beliefs, and I want to continue making it with that spirit. I will always pray for others. Thank you. - Isshin, the owner, Kazunobu Hamada"