Your visit to a traditional hot spring resort is only complete with traditional confectionery. Where to get it? How about Kusatsu Confectionary Seigetsudō (草津菓匠 清月堂)? The traditional confectionery maker was opened in 1923. What is famous there is its scarlet runner bean confectionary range. The scarlet runner bean planted in Kusatsu was originally from Hokkaidō. Because of Kusatsu’s warmer climate, the scarlet runner beans harvested from the field at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters are bigger than those in Hokkaidō. The confectionery maker thus gave it a different and more elegant name, Hanaingen (花いんげん豆).
The Traditional Sweets Made Using Hanaingen
The sweetened Hanaingen beans are called Amanattō (甘納豆). Don’t underestimate the simple sweetened bean! The Amanattō was certified by the Governor of Gunma as an excellent product of the prefecture. It was also highly praised by the Japanese Emperor and other imperial family members!
Whether it is Amanattō, Yōkan (羊羹), or Monaka (最中), the traditional sweets just taste differently with scarlet runner bean. And as a Hanaingen specialist, the bean paste in their manjū buns is, of course, made from Hanaingen (with white kidney bean paste blended)!
If you want to try out the Hanaingen before purchasing more for your families and friends, get the smallest package, which contains six beans (in the case of Amanattō). If you love it, you can always purchase more (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Important:
☛ As special as Hanaingen is, we want to point out that those who don’t have a sweet tooth probably won’t find it delicious.
☛ The shelf life of Seigetsudō’s confectionary is short, with a maximum of three days in the summer and five days in the winter. Please check the dates carefully before purchasing.
Seigetsudō’s Cafe Hanaingen (清月堂 カフェ花いんげん)
Seigetsudō also has a cafe attached to its Monzen-dōri Street Shop (門前通り店) close to Yubatake. If you like tiramisu, you will fall in love with their Matcha Tiramisu (抹茶ティラミス). Unlike the typical tiramisu that is chocolate based and contains liquor, Seigetsudō’s tiramisu is made with Dorayaki sandwiched with Hanaingen and matcha flavored cream. The cake is finished with a drawing of a white onsen mark on the green-colored cream, perfect for the dessert served in Kusatsu Onsen!
What goes really well with their dessert menu is a cup of matcha tea made from premium matcha powder from Uji, Kyoto. Like Westerners enjoying a slice of cake with a cup of black tea, when you are in Japan, it is the matcha green tea you would want for afternoon tea (^_-)-☆.
Seigetsudō’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Seigetsudō is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
- Seigetsudō is just a 1-minute walk from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal.
Discover Other Attractions in Kusatsu Onsen
Now you know where to find delicious traditional sweets, the next step is finding out where in the hot spring town you want to explore! In addition to the public and communal bathhouses, Kusatsu Onsen has much more to offer. Whether it is soba noodles, traditional sweets or outdoor activities, such as obstacle courses and skiing, you surely won’t be bored at Kusatsu Onsen!
For more information, refer to our article on Kusatsu Onsen (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
