One of the top specialties in the Aizu region is Awamanjū (あわまんじゅう), a slightly chewy bun filled with red bean paste. While manjū is a common traditional sweet that can be found across Japan, Awamanjū is only sold in Aizu, where it originates. Speaking of Awamanjū, Koike Confectionary Store (小池菓子舗) is the most famous shop for Awamanjū in the area. The confectionery maker has over 100 years of history. At Koike Confectionary Shop’s main store, you can enjoy freshly made and steamed buns filled with lightly sweetened homemade bean paste made using domestically grown red beans.
The History of Awamanjū
In 1818, Enzōji Temple (圓藏寺) suffered from a large fire hazard. Its main image, Ākāśagarbha statue (福満虚空藏尊), was destroyed. At the time, the head monk, Gegan (喝巌和尚), made many buns and distributed them to the locals as amulets to protect them from hazards again. He named the buns “Awa (アワ)”, with his wishes not to encounter another disaster (二度と災難に「アワ」ないように).
Nowadays, over 15,000 Awamanjū can be sold on New Year’s Eve at Enzōji, where the locals pray for a great year ahead.
About Koike Confectionary Store
Koike Confectionary Shop was opened in 1923. As another meaning of the Japanese word awa is millet, the grain is one of the three main ingredients to make Awamanjū. Koike Confectionary Shop contracts with local farmers to get millet and sticky rice to ensure the quality of the raw ingredients. Because millets are rich in vitamin B, iron, and other minerals, they are nutritional powerhouses. So, compared to manjū sold elsewhere, Awamanjū is a lot healthier. Plus, Koike Confectionary Shop’s red bean paste has less sugar and has a little bit of salt added.
Limited editions of Awamanjū, such as the Sakura Awamanjū and Chestnut Awamanjū, are also available, depending on the season.
On a side note, while millet is light yellow, gardenia enhances the yellow color of the dough of the original flavored Awamanjū.
If you like Awamanjū and your hotel has a freezer, you can purchase a couple more and save it for later. The taste of Awamanjū won’t change by much after it is frozen. Whether you eat it cold or warm it up in the microwave (but it is better to use a steamer), Awamanjū tastes nice either way.
In addition to Awamanjū and other traditional sweets, the confectionery maker also creates new sweets utilizing their rich sweets-making knowledge. For example, the shop’s fruit tarts and roll cakes taste incredible!
Koike Confectionary Shop’s main store has a cafe space at the back of the shop (refer to the last photo in the Instagram post). Here, you can enjoy the sweets maker’s confectionery with a cup of tea or coffee.
Koike Confectionary Main Store’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Koike Confectionary Main Shop is open from
- 8:30 am to 6 pm on weekdays
- 8 am to 6 pm on weekends and public holidays
- The shop is a 5-minute walk from Aizu-Yanaizu Station (会津柳津駅).
Discover the Stunning Scenery Along the Tadami Line
Aizu-Yanaizu Station is one of the stations along Japan’s most stunning train line, the Tadami Line. From the local train’s window, which runs through the mountains, breathtaking natural views unfold one after another throughout the year. Several tourist spots worth checking out are also dotted along the Tadami Line, enriching your visit to Japan’s rural towns.
So, refer to our Tadami Line article for more information on expanding your itinerary to include a couple of scenic spots!
