I received a wonderful souvenir from an acquaintance who I always rely on. This cookie is well-known, but it is extremely difficult to obtain as purchases are limited to members of the store and even regular customers have to wait for about a year. It is one of the top souvenirs in Japan. I appreciate the effort the person went through to order, wait, and bring this gift. I am truly grateful. The cookie is not the trendy buttery type, but has a simple wheat aroma and a comforting taste. It may be preferred by the elderly. However, the refreshing aftertaste is the best among all cookies and it is one of my favorites. Since I cannot purchase it myself, I can only enjoy it on occasions like this. It makes me incredibly happy to receive such a wonderful souvenir.

I received this rare confectionery from my mother-in-law. It was the first time I had heard of it. As expected from my mother-in-law. Unfortunately, I am not a gourmet who can talk about the difference in baked goods, but this confectionery is thinner and crunchier than the recent baked goods that melt in your mouth. My cat keeps licking the fingers holding the cookie, so maybe my cat, being a gourmet, understands it better. Since I probably won't have the chance to eat it again anytime soon, I will savor it slowly and carefully.

Member-only and reservation-only. Also, known for its high price, the legendary Murakami Kaishindo cookies. I occasionally received them as gifts when I was a child, as my parents used to tell me. I had them again after a long time. I can't believe they are still running the business in the same way! The retro cookies are a bit firm but still delicious. Considering the price, I wonder if they are really worth it. Maybe the exclusivity of not being able to buy them easily adds to the appeal. These are the cookies I want to enjoy while sipping tea at places like the Former Iwasaki Garden or the Former Furukawa Garden. While I was talking, my family finished eating them. A photo of the half-eaten cookie.

I received a gift from a customer. I had never heard of these cookies before, but apparently you can only purchase them through introductions. I haven't tried all the varieties, but honestly I didn't feel they were worth the hype. However, due to their rarity, I think they would make a good gift and increase in value.

I received this special box of sweets as a gift from someone I am always grateful to. The packaging was so meticulous, with double wrapping, and a list of all the sweets inside the box. There were 6 different kinds of sweets in the box, and I couldn't wait to try them all. Each one was a little piece of happiness with a natural sweetness that was just delightful. They were so elegant and delicious that I couldn't stop eating them, even though they were small. It was a truly wonderful experience. Thank you for the treat!

I received cookies from Murakami Kaishindo. Murakami Kaishindo was established in 1874 in Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, as the first Japanese-owned Western confectionery store in Japan. It is not possible to purchase them on the spot, and even after ordering, there is a wait of 1-2 years. Along with the cookies, I opened the can with excitement to experience the tradition and history. The cookies were beautifully packed in the can, like a box of cookie jewels. I was surprised to find curry-flavored cookies and cookies with spices. There were various flavors such as coffee, chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon, almond, cocoa, matcha, jam, almond butter, and more. It was a fun time trying to guess what each flavor would taste like.

I knew that there was a paper bag for customers to receive something, and it turned out to be from here. I'm not a fan of sweets, so I thought it wasn't meant for me, but I received it! Thank you, Mana-san. It happened to be the week when I was going back to my hometown, so I took it home to enjoy. However, it said 1,080 grams on the package, but it would have been quicker if they had indicated 1 kilogram. The fourth and fifth pictures are of Mon-chan from Kaishindo, yawning version.

Cookie No. 0 can only be purchased if you are introduced by someone who has registered. It is a valuable cookie with a shelf life of just under 3 months, making it perfect for gifts. The can contains several types of cookies, not just the ones listed, with about 4-5 pieces of each. It's great for sharing and enjoying the sophisticated flavors.

When I dined at Mr. Murakami Kaijindo's restaurant, I received a beautiful traditional sweet as a gift from the host. When I unwrapped it at home, I was impressed by its beauty and the detailed explanation on the packaging. Even before tasting it, my excitement was already high. I had coffee biscuits and matcha cream puffs, both with elegant flavors. They would be perfect for a blissful afternoon tea time. These gifts truly convey the giver's heartfelt intentions, making them the best kind of presents.

Today, let's kick things off with a bang! Feel free to leave comments, they are very encouraging. I visited Murakami Kaishindo near Hanzomon Station in Chiyoda, Tokyo. This is a long-established store founded in 1874, the first Western-style confectionery shop in Japan. It is a beloved shop by the staff of the British Embassy, located right behind it. It is also a shop that is still loved by Empress Michiko, and can be considered a purveyor to the Imperial Household Agency. The shop does not advertise much, which is a good thing about it. They do not accept walk-in customers, only accepting letters from regular customers. Despite this, Murakami Kaishindo's sweets are already "fully booked for 2 years." It is a level of popularity that makes you wonder what is going on. This shop is quite famous even overseas. There are rumors that they no longer have a referral system. In reality, it seems that there is no longer a system of referring new customers who introduce someone new (1 to 2 years). Murakami Kaishindo is said to be the most difficult-to-obtain confectionery in Japan. As far as I know, there is no confectionery that is as hard to get as this one. This time, I bought a set of their popular cookies. Murakami Kaishindo has stores in Tokyo and Kyoto, but the handmade production capacity in Tokyo is limited, and they maintain the strictness of the original shop by not accepting walk-ins. Kyoto seems to be more flexible. By the way, the Kyoto store has been selected as one of the top 100 restaurants on Tabelog in 2022. In the past, there was a "rule" that you had to reveal the name of the person who referred you, and you had to wait a year before referring someone else. I'm not sure if this still exists, but according to some sources, it is already close to a 2-year wait. There are even rumors that they no longer accept referral systems. Due to its location, Murakami Kaishindo is famous for being a popular souvenir for ambassadors and consuls from various countries, so it seems like "Oh, it's Murakami Kaishindo" kind of place. Murakami Kaishindo also has a French restaurant, which is also by reservation only and requires a referral from a regular customer to enter. Each box of cookies has the store's introduction written on the back, as seen in all the cookie boxes. The contents of the cookie assortment change with the seasons, but as far as the product description goes, there are about 30 different types of cookies in 3 color categories. This set is composed of 90% the same confectionery, but the repertoire changes slightly every year. There are many people who look forward to this. The texture is almost 80% the same. There is no freshness that suddenly creates something new on the tongue or in the brain. However, it is very delicious. That's the amazing thing about Murakami Kaishindo. Because the taste is the same every year. And like the tick-tock sound of an old game, the cookies are neatly packed without any gaps. This is also a skill. It's not something that can be easily done. Inside the silver wrapping paper are 4 tiers of butter cookies, which are the most delicious. The smaller ones include chocolate, beans, and vary depending on the season. These confections, which have evolved independently and have not been surpassed by others, are unmistakably delicious. Rarely do you come across cookies that you can savor by chewing. Thank you once again.

Cookies that require reservations and referrals. I received them again this year during the New Year's period. I am grateful to receive them every year for the past few years. It seems that they have switched to using raisin cookies instead of Genovese rusks due to changes in the manufacturing process. Once opened, the cookies lose their crispiness due to moisture, so it's best to eat them on the same day. I enjoyed them and hope to receive them again next year!

In January of the 5th year of Reiwa, the price for a size 0 can (12x19 cm, 470g) was 6,800 yen. The oldest Western confectionery shop in Japan, known as "Murakami Kaishindo," is located in Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The "Murakami Kaishindo" in Kyoto was established by a relative. It is said that there are 27 different types of cookies handmade at Murakami Kaishindo, all of which are boxed, ranging from the smallest size 0 to size 5. This time, it was a size 0 can. Instead of Genoise rusks, the size 0 can now includes silver packaging (vanilla flavor and lemon flavor), as indicated in a note. The can is filled with a variety of cookies packed tightly without any gaps. The cookies include coffee, ginger, cheese, chocolate, curry, milk, apricot jam, bran, raisin, cream, spice, berry jam, chocolate cream, vanilla cream, silver packaging (vanilla flavor, lemon flavor), raisin roll, vanilla, chocolate, cocoa, cocoa meringue, matcha meringue, black tea, spice, almond macaron, coarse ground almond, anise, nutmeg, cinnamon, pistachio, berry jam, roasted almond, and peanut butter. There is a menu list like the one in the photo, so I enjoy eating each one while checking them off. It's not extremely delicious, but the cookies evoke a sense of nostalgia.

I'm not particularly interested in cookies, but this place is a dream come true. To purchase, you need a referral from a member here and then register to finally make a reservation. Even then, the waiting list is one year long. There are 26 types of cookies, all handmade, which is truly impressive. This historic shop was established in the 7th year of the Meiji era, and there is a branch in Kyoto as well. Just a 3-minute walk from Hanzomon Station, the iron sign of the shop exudes a sense of history. The cookies have a sweet taste but are crispy, with a wheaty texture that is indescribable. It's a wonderful box of treats.

Russian cakes "Grape Jam Sandwich" When you take it out of the bag and smell it, there is a rich aroma of baked cookies. The flavor is a mix of nuttiness and a hint of bitterness, creating a deep and satisfying taste. Although the grape jam flavor inside was not very noticeable at first, you could taste it when you bit into it. With two cookies sandwiched together, the size and texture provided a satisfying crunch. "Chocolate" In contrast to the grape jam sandwich, the aroma of the cookies was milder. The chocolate in the center had a subtle sweetness, not too bitter, more like a slightly sweet chocolate. Eating the cookie made me crave tea or coffee, as it had a drying effect in the mouth. The cookie had a good bite to it, making it perfect for enjoying with a hot beverage. "Raisin" This cookie had a similar appearance to "The Russian Cake," with a raisin in the center and a sugar-coated cherry on top. It had a light texture, different from its appearance. The raisin was dry, and the cookie had a similar aroma to the grape jam sandwich. It also made me want to have some tea or coffee. "Apricot Jam" Another cookie with the appearance of "The Russian Cake," filled with apricot jam in the center. The aroma was similar to the raisin cookie. When eaten together, there was a slight sweet and sour taste, hinting at apricot. All the cookies paired well with tea or coffee, providing a luxurious and indulgent experience. I have never felt such luxury and elegance from eating cookies, but with these, it was truly a special experience. Kudos to Murakami Kaishindo!

I purchased the hard-to-find Madeline from Murakami Kaishindo at the department store basement without hesitation. The subtle taste of almond powder and honey with a hint of rum was to my liking! While I didn't quite see the value in their famous cookies, I would definitely consider buying these again if given the chance. They also last for about 2 weeks, making them a good option for gifts. I hope they become more readily available in the future...

I received this as a souvenir from a friend. I didn't know about it before... But I'm glad I got to know it. Japan seems to have inherited the French confectionery technology that it learned after the Meiji Restoration. This renowned product not only brings back the taste of that time, but also allows you to imagine the scenery and atmosphere, making you feel the history. I was surprised by the high hurdle to try it again, but I definitely want to eat it again someday. I hope to be registered in a valuable introduction frame by someone in the future.

The cookies here are really hard to come by. I've been curious about them for a while, so I was thrilled when I received them as a souvenir. However, maybe I had too high expectations, because I thought, "Huh? Why are these so hard to get?" Maybe it's just because I don't usually eat cookies, so I didn't notice how delicious they were...

Established in the 7th year of the Meiji era, this historic shop is famous for its elusive cookies that cookie lovers have likely heard of. However, these cookies cannot be purchased on sight; they are only available by reservation for members. Orders are so overwhelming that there is currently a one-year waiting list. The No. 0 can of assorted cookies contains a whopping 27 different varieties packed tightly inside. The way they are packed is so impressive that it's actually difficult to even take out the first cookie. Each cookie has a simple and rustic flavor, but they vary in size and hardness, allowing you to enjoy them until the very last one. These cookies would be appreciated as a treat for yourself or as a gift. I would definitely want to purchase them again if given the opportunity.

After waiting for nearly a year since making a reservation, I was finally able to get my hands on a cookie tin from a long-established store founded in the 7th year of the Meiji era, which is also a purveyor to the Imperial Household. The store is currently not accepting new members, and purchases can only be made through introductions. The cookies are packed so tightly that it's difficult to take them out, and just looking at them brings a smile to your face. They don't have an obvious flashy taste, but rather a simple and beloved flavor that appeals to people of all ages and genders. Once you start eating them, you won't be able to stop!

There are many requests for Murakami Kaishindo's cookies from various people. It is a members-only system, so you cannot buy them without an introduction. Even as a member, the waiting list has been long for the past few years. Today in April 2022, reservations are already sold out until May 2023. Despite the high price, it is amazing. I always buy the No. 1 can. Some cookies are not included in the No. 0 can, so it can be a bit nerve-wracking to open it carefully. It's quite a task (laughs). My favorite is the Genoise Rusk. Also, the coffee cream cookie with a hint of roasted bitterness and sweet cream, and the curry cookie with a subtle curry fragrance. The cocoa meringue that looks cute just by being there is also delicious. The cheese is also tasty. They are all very simple, but a little luxurious. It's a bit expensive, but it's a rare treat.

A luxurious box filled with various types of sweets, neatly arranged and untouched. The flavors are unfamiliar, but the elegance and sophistication of the sweets are undeniable. To purchase these sweets, a referral from an existing customer is required, making it exclusive and difficult to access for newcomers. The process involves a series of steps and limitations, making it a unique and highly sought-after experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to taste these rare and delicious treats. Thank you very much.