Akai

A tricky name, but everyone loves it.

“Akai,” is made by Kanou Shoshu-an, who has its main store in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, and operates numerous branches in famous department stores nationwide.  This is a confection made from firm habutae mochi coated with kinako (roasted soybean flour) made from soybeans grown in Shiga Prefecture.

The name of this confection, “Akai,” apparently refers to a well found in temples and other places used to draw “akamizu” (water for Buddhist offerings). In Buddhism, such wells are considered sacred as places where water is drawn to offer to the deities. At Kano Kanou Shoshu-an, not only is the shop names difficult, but the name of the confection is also often complex and has a solemn sound to them.

It is packed in a small plastic case filled with kinako,roasted soybean flour and a bottle of black sugar syrup.

It looks similar to Kikyo Shingen Mochi Kikyou-Shingen mochi and Dejin Mochi Shutsujin Mochi.  It looks delicious. Whenever we eat this kind of snack, we have to be careful not to sneeze (lol)

Kinako, black sugar syrup, and habutae mochi—it’s a classic combination and the visual looks so beautiful and delicious for 100%.

It really is delicious. Even it is fun to proceed pouring the black sugar syrup on the top.  Likewise Kikyo Shingen Mochi, and Dejin Mochi, the process with the syrup give us that “we are actually making this ourself” feeling. It’s also great that we can buy a treat that feels a little special like this for just 200 yen. The name is a bit tricky, but let’s try to remember it!