◆At the time of the visit, the information on Tabelog was 3.61, and the restaurant was selected as one of the top 100 restaurants in 2023. ◆About the restaurantThis is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop located in a residential area in Sakai City. Despite its location making it less accessible to new customers, it has been selected as one of the top 100 restaurants, indicating a considerable level of support from customers. I thought it was a wonderful place with a strong fan base. ◆ImpressionsThe interior of the shop is small, with space for only 2-3 people. There is a wide variety of Japanese sweets available, and I wasn't sure what the specialty was, but I decided to order the "Nikkei Mochi" as it was said to be the specialty. The customer service was impressive. The mochi was a rare Japanese sweet with a hint of cinnamon, very easy to eat and delicious. It was a great value to enjoy such a delicious Japanese sweet for only 200 yen, and it made sense why there is a large support base for this shop. I would love to try a different Japanese sweet next time. ◆Items ordered (food only)✔︎ Nikkei Mochi 200 yen ◆Notes※The information includes past and latest information about Michelin, top 100 restaurants, Gourmet Michelin, etc.※Prices include tax. ⭐️Rating criteria⭐️3 or less: Satisfied with just one visit⭐️3.5: Delicious, a decent recommendation⭐️4: Very delicious, highly recommended (would recommend to friends)⭐️4.5: Amazing/Will visit again/Highly recommended (confidently recommend to food enthusiasts)⭐️5: Ultimate amazement/Will visit for a lifetime/Highly, highly recommended (recommend to all citizens)※Ratings are made based on the level of satisfaction with the price. If deeply moved, a score of 4.0 or higher is given based on the perceived value for the price. ◆Introduction◆ I visit around 700 restaurants nationwide each year, mainly in Aichi, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuoka. I explore various restaurants while I am young and discover restaurants that I can visit for a lifetime. The total number of dining establishments visited is over 5,000. ◆I review with the sincere hope that my followers will enjoy delicious meals at the restaurants they visit. I place the highest importance on the satisfaction with the amount paid. ◆I value the trustworthiness and objectivity of the content I provide and strive to include meal prices as a rule. ◆To the restaurant staff, thank you for providing us with opportunities to enjoy delicious food and experiences that touch our hearts, even in the challenging environment of COVID-19 and rising food prices.

On this day, I visited a traditional Japanese sweets shop in Sakai for some Bon festival errands that my wife had saved. I decided to buy some as souvenirs. The shop had a history of over 200 years. Here are the sweets I bought: - Nikkei Mochi: A brown mochi with a layer of sweet chestnuts, very soft and the mochi and sweet bean paste melt in your mouth. The cinnamon flavor is not overpowering and complements the sweet bean paste nicely, giving it a texture similar to water yokan. - Rikyu no Izumi (Water Yokan): A subtly sweet, smooth yokan with gentle red beans, the highest quality water yokan. - Rikyu Torori (Water Yokan): This yokan has a bit more texture compared to Rikyu no Izumi. It has the same red bean paste but with a more enjoyable mouthfeel. There is also a difference in the concentration of the paste between the top and bottom layers. I enjoyed these traditional Japanese sweets with a long history. They were delicious!

The other day, I saw a review of this cinnamon mochi and bookmarked it. I was curious about the traditional cinnamon mochi. I wondered what it would be like. Even though the shop is a bit far, I suddenly had some business in Sakai. Accompanied by my partner, we finished our errands and searched the area. Oh, both of the shops I bookmarked recently are nearby! I rarely come to Sakai, so I definitely want to stop by! So, I visited the shop. The shop was currently under renovation, but still open. I opened the retro glass door and entered the shop. I quickly found the cinnamon mochi I was looking for. The staff was very friendly and I liked their soft demeanor. Another popular item, castella, was sold out, so I asked for a recommendation and was suggested the Mizuyokan. I chose the Mizuyokan in a summer-like bamboo design container. I bought a pack of 5 cinnamon mochi and 3 pieces of Mizuyokan. When I got home, after dinner, I tried the Mizuyokan first. It came out smoothly from the plastic bamboo container when I flipped it onto a plate. It looked very smooth, and I had a feeling it would be good. I cut a bite-sized piece with the provided toothpick and tried it. Oh, it melted. It melted smoothly and disappeared, not too sweet, very delicious! I tried to cut the rest as thinly as possible and savored it slowly. Now, with high expectations, I tried the cinnamon mochi. When I opened the individual packaging, it was a small brown lump. It was very soft when I cut it with a toothpick. The outer layer of mochi with cinnamon and the red bean paste inside reminded me of Yatsuhashi, but this cinnamon mochi was so soft and smooth that you couldn't tell where the mochi and red bean paste met. The cinnamon aroma was strong, but there was no strange aftertaste. It also melted slowly in the mouth. I had prepared both coffee and tea, and it tasted quite delicious with both. Since it was small, I savored it little by little. It said it would last for about 3 days, so the next day, I decided to stretch it out and enjoy it. Even the next day, it was so soft that I couldn't cut it thin enough until it started to break. It melted in the mouth along with the outer layer, so smooth and delicious. The shop recommended slightly toasting it for a different taste, so next time I will buy a little more and try that. I also want to try the castella and Mizuyokan again, even though they are a bit pricey. If I can revisit during the season, I will definitely do so. Thank you for the meal.

I visited "Yao Genrai Kodou" in Sakai City, which is known as the second largest city in Osaka Prefecture. The access is about a 3-minute walk from Hanadaguchi Station on the Hankai Tramway Hankai Line. It is also within walking distance from Sakai Station on the Nankai Main Line and Sakaihigashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line. The store is located on Yamanokuchisuji, a side street off the main road. The wooden exterior exudes a sense of tradition. Inside the store, products are displayed in a crowded manner. Certificates and awards are hung on the walls. Here are the menu items I tried today: - "Chinunotsuki" (mochi with poppy seeds): Smooth and chewy mochi with poppy seeds sprinkled on the outside. Inside, there is a moderately sweet red bean paste. - "Nikkeimochi" (cinnamon mochi): A square-shaped wagashi (traditional Japanese confectionery) with a smooth and fragrant cinnamon-flavored haginomochi. Inside, there is a smooth red bean paste. It has an elegant taste that pairs well with Japanese tea. Thank you for the meal.

Located a 3-minute walk from Hanataguchi Station on the Hankai Line, a 20-minute walk from Sakai Station on the Nankai Main Line, and a 20-minute walk from Sakai Higashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line. One of Sakai's famous sweets is the Nikkei cinnamon cake and Chinu-no-Tsuki... It has a comforting taste that goes well with tea and alcohol! Give it a try!

I decided to go to Sakai Rujin by bicycle as my husband suggested. Riding a bicycle allows you to explore narrow roads and discover new shops you wouldn't see when driving a car. This time, I found these traditional buildings where I usually buy Nikki's mochi at Takashimaya. The place was so charming. My husband usually doesn't stop anywhere on our way back from a shrine visit, claiming that fortune will be lost if we do, so I hurried to buy the mochi. I had only seen them in boxes before, but this time I could buy them individually. I bought 5 pieces, even though my son doesn't eat them. Maybe 2 pieces would have been enough, but since we were at the main store, I wanted to make the most of it. Unfortunately, Nikki Castella was sold out, but now that I know where the store is, I can come back for it next time. The fluffy mochi with the fragrant Nikki bean paste was delicious.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi also loved it? This famous confectionery. When I was a child, I preferred akashimochi, but as an adult, I became addicted to the scent of nikki mochi. The store has a quaint charm... or rather, it has a lot of history. It may need to be rebuilt, but it would be sad to lose this atmosphere. I wonder if it's because it's someone else's problem.

Discovered and purchased for the first time at the Kobe Hankyu event. Tried Nikki Mochi based on online reviews, and it did not disappoint. The aroma of Nikki and the smooth texture of the sweet red bean paste were delightful. Bought one for my mother and ended up eating two myself. Thank you for the delicious treat. Will definitely purchase again if I come across it in the future.

A little away from the inn, in Osaka near the Chin Den (Hankai Tram) at Hanadaguchi, there is a quiet shop nestled in a residential area. The shop offers Nikki Mochi and Keshi Mochi, among other items. I was hesitant to choose because I don't like Nikki. Why visit a Nikki shop then? Well, my family wanted to try Nikki Mochi, a specialty in Sakai, so that's why we went there. Initially, I thought we would only get Nikki Mochi, but they also had Keshi Mochi, which I ended up getting. The name "Chinu no Tsuki" is said to come from the old days when Sakai faced Osaka Bay, known as the sea of Chinu (black sea bream). The Keshi Mochi was delicious, just like Kojimaya and Kojimaya. I will try Nikki Mochi next time. By the way, Nikki means cinnamon.

At Koishimaya, they also sell Nikki mochi, but I prefer the sensation of the Nikki spreading softly in my mouth with this shop's version. I wonder what else you can eat Nikki with, but this Nikki mochi is the best representation. It may be a matter of personal preference, but I love it. You can purchase it at Takashimaya without having to go to the store.

Located a 5-7 minute walk from Hanataguchi Station, Yae Gennai Koudou is a traditional Japanese confectionery shop with a lot of history and charm. They specialize in take-out sweets and are well-known in the Minami area of Osaka for their keshi mochi and nikki mochi. You can choose between gift boxes and individual pieces at relatively reasonable prices. This time, I purchased 3 pieces of the popular nikki mochi. It had a unique cinnamon aroma, a rich and sweet red bean paste, and a soft mochi that have been loved for centuries. You can purchase without a reservation, so if you find yourself in Hanataguchi, be sure to visit. Thank you for the meal!

After enjoying shaved ice at Tsubo City Seicha Honpo, I walked back towards Sakai Higashi Station under the scorching sun. Along the way, I passed by Yawasen, a renowned traditional Japanese sweets shop with over 200 years of history, famous for its Nikkimochi (cinnamon mochi). I bought some Nikkimochi as a souvenir for myself. The shop is located two blocks east of Kishu Kaido (Odo Suji) on a residential street, and it's quite surprising to see it standing alone amidst the residential area. The building looks old, typical of a traditional Japanese sweets shop, but the atmosphere inside is more casual than expected. The shop is quite small, mainly for takeout only. I also bought some other sweets besides the Nikkimochi, including Nikkimochi Castella called Nikkimochi Raku and Mizuyokan called Rikyu Torori. When I got home, I tried them out. Starting with the Nikkimochi, I was surprised by how soft the outer mochi layer was, it literally melted in my mouth. The aroma of cinnamon was strong, but when combined with the smooth sweet red bean paste inside, it created a very elegant taste. Even for those who are not fond of cinnamon, this might be enjoyable. Next, I tried the Nikkimochi Castella, which had a flavor similar to Sakura Mochi. It was delicious, and the addition of coarse sugar added a nice touch. Lastly, the chilled Mizuyokan with agar was a perfect treat for a hot day. It had a nice jelly-like texture and tasted like a typical Mizuyokan. Overall, the Nikkimochi from Yawasen was incredibly delicious, living up to its reputation of being loved by the people of Sakai for over 200 years. If you ever visit Sakai, I highly recommend getting some Nikkimochi from Yawasen as a souvenir. Enjoyed every bit of it!

Yao Genrai Kodo is a long-established Japanese confectionery store famous for its Sakai specialty sweet called "Nikkei Mochi" in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. The history of the shop is detailed on its official website. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period when Sakai flourished as a port town for Nanban trade, there was a merchant named Yaoya Sogen who imported over a hundred types of spices and fragrant woods from Europe, China, and Luzon to sell them throughout Japan. Among the spices, "cinnamon" was particularly valued for its fragrance. However, due to its strong taste, especially unsuitable for children and women, Yaoya Sogen came up with the idea of mixing cinnamon into pounded rice cakes to create a sweet with both a good aroma and taste. This became a specialty of Sakai and began to be secretly traded as "Nikkei Mochi". With the construction of Osaka Castle by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Yaoya Sogen moved his shop from Sakai to Osaka and continued to thrive as a merchant. However, with events like the Osaka Summer and Winter Campaigns and the burning of Sakai, his footsteps were eventually lost. In the Genroku era, descendants of Yaoya Sogen started a confectionery business in Sakai under the name "Yao Gen" and began selling a new sweet by mixing cinnamon into soft mochi and wrapping it with red bean paste, which became popular among the townspeople of Sakai as a famous confectionery. I have tried Nikkei Mochi from another shop before and loved it, so I was excited to visit this shop for the first time. The shop has its main store in Sakai, as well as products available in various department stores in Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo, and more, as listed on the official website. I visited the Sakai main store, which is about a 3-minute walk from Hanatenkuchi Station on the Hankai Sakai Line, and about a 20-minute walk from Sakai Station on the Nankai Main Line and Sakai Higashi Station on the Nankai Koya Line. There is no parking lot, and I didn't see any coin-operated parking nearby. I visited the shop on a Saturday around 1:00 PM. The shop has a very traditional feel with a lot of history. There were no other customers inside, just me. The product lineup can be checked on the official website, and online ordering is also available. This time, I bought the "Nanban Konomi" which includes both Nikkei Mochi and another Sakai specialty sweet called "Keshi Mochi", as well as the "Nikkei Raku" which is a castella cake made with cinnamon. The prices are all inclusive of tax. The "Nanban Konomi" includes 5 pieces for 1,150 yen. The "Nikkei Mochi" is a traditional Sakai sweet that has been passed down for 400 years, made with cinnamon that was brought to Sakai during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The "Keshi Mochi" is a sweet with a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor, inspired by the beautiful moon floating in the sea in Sakai. I first tried the Nikkei Mochi. The dough was surprisingly soft, and the smooth red bean paste melted together with it, creating a delightful texture. The subtle and elegant fragrance of cinnamon, combined with the rich sweetness of the paste, made it an exquisite treat. The Keshi Mochi had a addictive texture and a delicious nutty flavor. The "Nikkei Raku" is a castella cake made with cinnamon, inspired by the romance of the Azuchi-Momoyama period when cinnamon was introduced to Portugal by missionaries.

I visited as a souvenir. Actually, it was my third attempt. The first time they were closed, the second time I tried to buy a famous confectionery at Namba Takashimaya but the line was too long so I gave up. There were no customers before or after me. I bought 5 pieces of rice cakes. They were put in a takeout bag. When I opened the bag at home, a nice aroma of rice cakes greeted me. They can last for 8 days, it seems.

Sakai flourished during the Muromachi period due to the Nanban trade, and exotic foreign goods became popular. In addition, the trend of tea ceremonies led to the emergence of tea masters such as Sen no Rikyu and Imai Sōkō. Cinnamon mochi, made with precious ingredients such as sugar and cinnamon, reflects the merchant culture of that time. When you taste it, the cinnamon flavor is not as strong as you might expect, but it has a sophisticated taste. This shop also offers matcha and cinnamon castella, with a touch of coarse sugar at the bottom, which also gives a subtle hint of cinnamon.

There are many traditional Japanese sweets using cinnamon at a shop in Sakai. Some of their products are sold at Takashimaya Osaka store on Mondays and Thursdays. I bought the Gold Hanejuu Mochi (cinnamon) and it was delicious. It was soft and chewy with a nice cinnamon aroma spreading in my mouth. I personally prefer the cinnamon mochi with sweet bean paste filling that I bought before. Thank you for the meal.

<One day snack> A renowned traditional Japanese confectionery store in Sakai. Their signature sweet features a soft mochi filled with smooth red bean paste, with a hint of cinnamon flavor that spreads gently (not too strong). It has an elegant taste and is delicious. I also tried their cinnamon-flavored castella cake at the store, and it was also very tasty. "Thank you for the treat ☺︎"

There are many long-established Japanese confectionery shops in Sakai. Tomorrow, I will visit my parents' house to pay respects at the grave, so I checked out a Japanese confectionery shop for offerings. I visited "Yao Gen Rairai Kodo" in Sakai. Located in the city center of Sakai, the shop has a very traditional atmosphere. Upon opening the heavy sliding door and entering the shop, I found what I was looking for - "Nikkei Mochi". There was a photo on the wall of the shop showing when Kumiko Oba visited. In addition to the offering "Nikkei Mochi", I also purchased individually packaged ones for home use. I decided to taste them at home. When I opened the package, I found white mochi covered in powder. Surprisingly, the mochi was very soft when I held it in my hand. It had a melting sensation. When I put it in my mouth, the mochi melted away, leaving a refreshing sweetness of Nikkei. The taste of Nikkei may vary depending on personal preference, but personally, I found it to be a very delicious Japanese confectionery.

Although it's not the main store, I bought two sets of Cinnamon Drop (2 pieces each) at Hankyu Umeda because it's summer. The color is like a beautiful red agate, with a subtle cinnamon scent, and a lightly sweet, refreshing taste that is perfect for adults. It's a delicious Japanese-style jelly that cinnamon lovers will adore. It's best to keep it chilled, but for an even better texture, put it in the freezer for about 15 minutes before eating it cold.

Diary mochi is a specialty item. It looks like a regular mini daifuku, but the mochi is incredibly soft. It's so soft that it squishes when you try to pick it up, making you wonder how they shape it. The sweet red bean paste has a strong sweetness and a cinnamon aroma that cinnamon lovers will adore. 😋

In Sakai, there are various famous sweets, but when you really want to impress someone, it can be quite difficult to choose. In such times, the best choice is the Nikki Mochi and Keshi Mochi from Yaogengen. You can even choose a wooden box and Sakai-style wrapping paper, so even without writing your name, people will know who it's from, allowing for a subtle self-expression that is convenient and smart. The taste is also excellent, matching the appearance with fantastic flavors and textures. I often get asked where to buy these sweets and which store they are from, and everyone is delighted.