One of the representative specialties of Otaru City, Hokkaido is "panju," a pastry with sweet bean paste inside, similar to imagawayaki. It is shaped like a half-sphere or bell, with a diameter of about 5 cm. The name "panju" is said to come from the fact that it is baked like bread without steaming, or because it is a bread-like bun with skin. Panju is not only popular in Otaru but also in Hokkaido, including Sapporo and Yubari, as well as in other parts of Japan like Ise City in Mie Prefecture and Ashikaga City in Tochigi Prefecture. There are various theories about the origin of panju, with one of the most credible being that it originated from the shop "Nanakoshi Panju" in Ise City, founded in 1901. This shop originally had branches in Tokyo and later relocated to Ise City after the war. In Otaru, the history of panju can be traced back to the late Meiji era when the idea was introduced from Tokyo and spread to Sapporo and Yubari through the railway. During a visit to Otaru, the reviewer went to a popular panju shop called "Nishikawa no Panju," which was established in 1965. The shop is said to have revived the taste of a former shop called "Takeya," which was a well-established store founded in 1920 but no longer exists. The reviewer arrived at the shop around noon on a weekday and was able to purchase three panju without much waiting. The panju had a thin, crispy top and a slightly thicker, chewy bottom, filled with plenty of soft and sweet red bean paste. The reviewer found the panju to be extremely delicious and worth the visit.

Due to a significantly delayed schedule in Sapporo, my stay in Otaru ended up being just a brief stop. I had visited last year so I had a sense of the area and was able to visit a few places, but unfortunately some were closed for special reasons or on their regular day off. The only highlight was trying the famous "Nishikawa panjuu" which I had prepared myself for with some background knowledge, but I was caught off guard by the initial strong attack. It seemed more like they didn't really welcome tourists. However, despite pushing me to buy 10 pieces as a solo traveler, they immediately demanded that I eat them all right away. Nevertheless, in these tough times, they seem to be holding their prices steady and working hard, so I hope the shop thrives with local children as customers.

The "panjuu" was famous. It seemed like a combination of bread and manjuu. There were various flavors available such as red bean paste, coarse red bean paste, sesame paste, cheese, chocolate, and cream. Each type was only 100 yen! I bought five different flavors except for cream. I tried the chocolate and coarse red bean paste flavors. It was like a big takoyaki made with imagawayaki batter. It was like a round imagawayaki. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

On June 10, 2023 (Saturday) around 12:55 PM, on the way to the station with the anpanjuu girls. Are there any left? Oh, they're already gone... I wanted two. There they are! Yes! I see, they bake it twice... or is the baking method different? *munch* It's gone... Oh? I forgot to take a picture... Well... it was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

"I visited Nishikawa's panju shop in Otaru with a friend after a long time. We had planned to visit a few places, but by the time we arrived, most of the shops were closed for the day, so we ended up at the third place for the night. The next day, we were going skiing, so we left the hotel much later than planned and found Nishikawa's panju shop on the way to the parking lot. We weren't sure if it was open or not, so we took a photo from outside and cautiously went in. An old man came out and when we asked if they were open, he only spoke about what he wanted to say and didn't really give a clear answer. It seemed like he wanted us to buy at least 10 pieces because they were the size of a wooden measure. He kept talking non-stop about random things like how early it was in the morning and how cold it was. When he mentioned that they had been in business for 60 years, I politely asked how many pieces we could buy. He replied with 'age doesn't matter.' Finally, he wrapped up 10 pieces for us. The inside of the bag was a bit moist, but the wooden measure kept the panju from getting too soggy. It wasn't as crispy as I expected, but the handmade sweet red bean paste filling was delicious. Despite not being too sweet, it was really tasty. It's worth boasting about how good it is."

It seems like a coined term combining the famous Otaru bread and manju. This place in Otaru seems to be an old established shop. The exterior has a retro feel to it. An old man was baking them alone. I bought two, and he warned me that the filling inside was hot. They cost 80 yen each and are small in size. The outside is crispy and has a delicious taste. Perfect for eating while walking around. Thank you for the meal!

In September 2022, I had some panjuu in Otaru, following my previous experience in Yubari. The dough was made of sweet wheat with a hint of the skin's flavor, paired with a strong red bean paste filling. I really love this kind of red bean paste. The panjuu dough perfectly complemented the distinctive red bean paste. I would love to eat it again. Since it's close to the station, I might have another chance to try it. (￣▽￣)

"Is this your first time here?" "All the pastries I baked earlier are gone." "I'll bake some more, but let them rest for a bit. Come back in ○ minutes!" I arrived right on time ○ minutes later. Just before me, a young male customer entered, and then I followed suit. "You're the customer from earlier, right? Thank you!" He seemed to be in a good mood, but when I asked for one, he said, "We're a restaurant, so we don't wrap things up here! Just take it and eat it outside with your hands!" The customer apologized and took the bun, heading outside. Feeling sorry for him, I asked for four buns. The owner's mood improved again when I asked for a bag as well. He said, "I'll wrap them up now!" with a cheerful tone. I also asked for a bag, and he said, "In the old days, we didn't have these plastic bags!" He had a tendency to add unnecessary comments, but there was a certain charm to it, and somehow we seemed to be on the same wavelength. "Freshly baked and hot! We bake them differently on the top and bottom, so the texture is different! If possible, eat it upside down!" I said I would eat one right away, and he replied, "I wish you could eat it in the back, but we're not using it now because of COVID. Sorry, but please eat it outside. It's delicious!" I agreed and started eating. Strangely enough, I seemed to get along well with the owner. Many people might find him scary or eccentric, but as long as you are polite and respectful, everything should be fine. As for the bun, it was a pleasant surprise. It started with a fragrant aroma of wheat rising up when I opened it. The surface was hard and made a clicking sound when I tapped it with my nails. Following the owner's advice, I ate it upside down, and the red bean paste inside was still hot. The texture was crispy on the outside, followed by a fluffy dough at the bottom, creating a relay of textures. The handmade red bean paste was classic, with a strong sweetness. Personally, I would prefer a bit less sweetness and a slightly higher saltiness, but it was still delicious. This was my honest opinion. I had planned to take the rest home, but ended up eating another one in the car. The difference between freshly baked and not is more than double in terms of appeal. I recommend trying it while it's still hot. Despite being a bit annoying, the owner's pride in offering the best bun in Otaru was genuine. I doubt I will eat any other bun in Otaru besides this one. Respect to the stylish old man and his delicious buns. A presence with dignity on the main street... I pay my respects to the stubborn old man with a bow tie.

I visited the shop several times in September 2022, but it was always closed by the time I got there. Today, I arrived early and found the shop open. Inside, the owner, wearing a bow tie, was just finishing baking. The shop had a lot of history. The owner asked me where I was from and if I had tried their food before. He mentioned that they only sell freshly made products to locals. It takes 15 minutes to bake, so I was asked to wait. During the wait, the owner shared the shop's history with me. He mentioned that they sometimes close early due to health reasons. He recommended eating the freshly made treat, which had a simple red bean filling without any extra ingredients. The thin, crispy crust and sweet, packed filling were delicious. The owner claimed that all other treats like this one outside of their shop were imitations, and I could see why.

On June 18, 2022 (Sat), during the 3rd day of my early summer trip to Hokkaido, I visited a long-established bun shop called "Nishikawa no Panjuu" in Inaho, Otaru City, after moving from Shakotan Town to Otaru. The Otaru Todoroki Shotengai shopping street is covered with an arcade, making it easy for shopping. Established in 1965, "Nishikawa no Panjuu" is known as the oldest bun shop in Otaru. Panjuu is a confectionery that combines Imagawayaki and Takoyaki. It is made of baked dough with red bean paste or cream inside. Along with Ise in Mie Prefecture and Ashikaga in Tochigi Prefecture, panjuu is a famous confectionery in Hokkaido, with panjuu shops in Otaru, Sapporo, and Yuubari. The signboard of the shop boldly claims to be the most delicious in Otaru, showing their confidence. The exterior and interior of the shop have a retro Showa era atmosphere. The inside of the shop felt slightly dark and narrow, with some seating available for dining in. There was an elderly man near the entrance baking the panjuu, so I approached him and was surprised by his rather cool response saying, "It will take more than 20 minutes." Later, when I revisited the shop, his demeanor seemed consistently unfriendly. While the shop may be well-known as a long-established one, I was not only surprised but also disappointed by the lack of basic customer service skills at this dining establishment. I will not be returning.

Wow... What a Showa retro atmosphere... The arcade here is like a time capsule, it's so interesting. When I went to the bun shop, they told me "First time here? Come back in 20 minutes!" So I walked around and when I came back, the buns were just baked. The owner is very friendly and talks to you in a lively manner. The buns cost 80 yen each, and if you buy a lot, they wrap them in traditional wooden packaging. This time I bought them individually. They are freshly baked but not too hot on the outside. The skin is thin and crispy, with a shiny appearance. Inside, there is a generous filling of slightly sweet red bean paste. I was expecting something like imagawayaki, but it's more like takoyaki? The skin is seriously thin. I highly recommend waiting a bit and eating them hot off the grill! The customer service may vary depending on your preference, but I personally liked it. I hope they continue to thrive and stay healthy. Thank you for the meal!

Located in the shopping street about 4 minutes from JR Otaru Station in Otaru City, Hokkaido, this shop sells "panjuu," which are small steamed buns filled with sweet bean paste. The minimum order is 10 pieces, so I bought and ate 10 of them. The hot buns with sweet bean paste inside were enjoyed with a bottle of tea. The simple sweetness was satisfying, and I ended up quite full.

Is it a perfect match? Just a moment, it should be here. *rummaging through bag* It's not here? Oh well, it's okay, it's big so I'm doing it alone, don't have time to wait. No, no, I have it. I don't have time to wait. ...I'm sorry, I couldn't find it after all. That'll be 1000 yen. ...I'm sorry, sir, I didn't have any change! The old man is a bit arrogant, but you can't hate him. The red bean paste roll from Karisaku was delicious. I enjoyed it on the bench outside. May the old man stay healthy forever!

I became captivated by the taste and texture of "panjuu" that I tried for the first time in Otaru! The original shop where the authentic version is sold is located in the arcade shopping street "Miyako-dori Shotengai" near Otaru Station, so I decided to visit. There is no parking lot and cars cannot enter the arcade. First, let's get the basics right. The original is not "panjuu" but "panjyuu" it seems. The one who started "panjyuu" is the original shop, Panjyuu Nishikawa! The price is 80 yen for one, which is cheaper than the 99 yen at the shop I bought from before. The size is about two sizes bigger than the one from the other shop, and it is filled with plenty of sweet red bean paste! The texture is firm and not fluffy, with some having wings that are crispy, which is also delicious. The owner said, "I've been baking these for over 50 years! I never know how they will turn out." Well done! But keep up the good work! I bought 10 pieces of "panjyuu" for 800 yen. The owner asked, "Do you know about panjyuu?" When my companion said "yes," he replied, "Then I don't need to explain!" It seems he will explain to those who don't know. He scolded a young man who came in after us, saying, "Close the door properly! It's cold! You have to think properly!" Excellent!! He might be bothered by flies, but he doesn't compromise on doing things properly. When I said, "Uncle, give me 10 pieces. And also two freshly baked ones," he scolded me, saying, "No! If you wrap the freshly baked ones, they will get sticky from the steam!" (laughs) But here comes the kind part of the owner. He said, "I'll give you two freshly baked ones as a service, so eat them. The remaining 10 will be wrapped after they have been baked for a while." He also said, "The payment? Leave it there while I'm busy baking!" (laughs) When I said, "Okay! Leave it there!" without even looking, he replied. I left 800 yen gratefully and left the shop. I called out to the owner's rounded back, "I'll be back, so stay healthy, Uncle!" In my heart, I thought, "That's right! Stay healthy! I'll definitely come back!" Later, I ate the hot panjyuu on a bench in the arcade, even though it was cold. I learned that it was a completely different thing from the panjuu at the shop I went to before! It was delicious♪ I ate the remaining ones on the ferry ride back and on the highway. They were wrapped in the traditional thin board wrapping and tied, wrapped in paper, and placed in a plastic bag. It was still delicious even when it cooled down. I heard that it's good to toast them a bit in a toaster even if they have cooled down. The panjyuu was delicious♪ Both the owner and the panjyuu were kind♪ Thank you for the meal (^人^) It feels like a shop that can be called the "ultimate sweet."

When I was young, I used to visit Otaru several times a year. Otaru is known for its panju, which was a must-have for me as a child. Inside the arcade, there was Nishikawa's panju. Shaped like takoyaki, these imagawayaki were crispy on the outside and had a soft red bean paste filling inside. I have fond memories of enjoying them during the cold winter. Unfortunately, the original owner who used to bake them when I was a child has passed away, and now a slightly intimidating person is in charge of baking them. "I can't leave this, so wait a minute!" said the bespectacled man. Is he the second generation? The taste inside the store remained the same, which was a relief. If you go to Otaru, you must try the panju.

It's been three years since my trip to Hokkaido. The main purpose of the trip is to go eat Nishikawa's panjuu (red bean bun) (ﾉ≧∀≦)ﾉ The value of traveling to eat this dish is based on the Michelin Guide's three-star restaurant selection criteria. The panjuu costs 80 yen!! No inflation here! I ordered two. Just as they started removing the panjuu from the mold, I received them. They place the lid side down on the iron plate to give it a crispy texture. The total cost of 160 yen was placed on a tray, and after a short wait, they handed it to me in a bag. The crispy thin skin is carefully made to prevent it from getting soggy. After three years, I took a bite and it was delicious (^ω^)♪ The thin skin is crispy, and inside is a delicious red bean paste made with Tokachi red beans. It has a moist texture, and you can feel the richness of the red bean, but the sweetness of the sugar is just right, allowing you to easily eat 4-5 at once (^ω^)ゞ Overall: I am happy to have eaten Nishikawa's unique panjuu after three years (●︎´▽︎`●︎)♪

"The sign saying 'The best in Otaru! Excellent taste!!' stands out at Nishikawa's Panju. Panju is a baked confectionery derived from Imagawayaki (obanyaki, taiyaki, oyaki). It is said to be the soul food of Otaru so I decided to visit. The shop is located in a shopping street, and when you enter, the owner is very friendly, cracking jokes. After a little chat, he handed me the panju saying 'It's hot inside, so be careful.' Two pieces for 160 yen, so one piece is 80 yen. It's cheap. When I actually ate it, it was not just warm but slightly hot, not a temperature to worry about getting burned. However, if it was really fresh out of the oven, it could be dangerous. The structure was like a dome with a part that seemed to separate like a plate. When you bite into it, the connecting part and the dome part separate, so there is a possibility that the hot filling might gush out in your mouth. The connecting part was crispy and fragrant, and it was a bite-sized treat that you could easily devour. Nishikawa's Panju, only available here. I hope the owner's father stays healthy forever!"

A long-standing specialty shop for panju (Japanese bun filled with sweet bean paste) located in the bustling Shotengai shopping street near JR Otaru Station. After having lunch at a nearby restaurant, I decided to stop by this shop. I had visited before but they were sold out, so I was glad to be able to purchase some this time as I arrived early. The shop has a historic exterior and inside, a skilled elderly man manages everything on his own. The panju costs 80 yen each. I bought six right as they came out of the oven, so there was no waiting time. I enjoyed them at the tables in the shopping street while they were still hot and crispy on the outside. They were delicious. I also tried some later in the car when they cooled down, but they tasted completely different, so I recommend eating them on the spot.

This place is famous for its panju, a type of sweet bun, and specializes in it. It's quite challenging in various ways. When I went to the third store, they had just started baking so it would take 15 minutes. I thought about waiting inside the store since I was tired from walking, but I was rejected because of COVID. So, I strolled around the city for 15 minutes and when I returned, they were still baking. They sell out quickly as soon as they are ready. Finally, after visiting other shops like Kameju Pan and Kintaro's Kintaro, I was able to buy it after an hour. Established in 1965, the owner talks a lot about the history, but it's a bit annoying. It used to be a common taste for the masses with many specialty shops, but now only this shop remains. The father was the last craftsman, it seems. So, are you the next one? Before arriving here, I saw a shop with "panju" written on it... I saw some old photos displayed, and it feels like history, but then I realized, it's only been 50 years. I thought the father founded it, but maybe not. The owner and the shop are quite old. It gives a sense of the good old history of Otaru. One piece costs 80 yen. It has sweet bean paste inside and has a unique shape, but it's like a baked bun. They wrap it in a wooden box and then put it in a white paper bag for you. It's been a while since I've seen something wrapped in a wooden box! I had it as a snack at home later. It's not too sweet and has a taste I like. Thank you for the meal.

This shop is located in a corner of the arcade shopping street in Otaru. The product is called "panju". It is a crispy baked dough filled with homemade sweet red bean paste. Each piece costs 80 yen. The shop owner, an older gentleman, explains the product while baking it. Once the ingredients run out, they stop selling. The freshly baked panju is a must-try treat. It's a delicious snack with a nostalgic taste.

This is Otaru. It's the 7th stop on our impromptu Otaru tour! This time, we're visiting a nostalgic place. Let's go check it out! Nishikawa's panjuu! When it comes to panjuu in Otaru, Nishikawa, Kuwata-ya, and Seifuku-ya are famous. When asked where the best panjuu in Otaru is, opinions vary. Personally, the place I visited the most was Nishikawa. I had a nice chat with the father who was baking, reminiscing about the past, and he was delighted when I said I wanted to try it. I got two red bean paste buns for 80 yen each and enjoyed them while sitting in a chair. They were freshly baked, so it was hard to hold them in my hands. The interior of the store hasn't changed much except for the passage of time. While feeling nostalgic, I savored the hot buns, feeling the deliciousness as I chewed. The crispy skin and the soft interior were irresistibly tasty. It was a panjuu full of memories. Thank you for the meal!