Uta-zukushi

It gives a sense of the strength of Toyama Prefecture.

”Sasaraya” is a Japanese confectionery store in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, established in 1924 by “Hinodeya Confectionery Industry Co. The “Utazukushi” that I bought this time is a collection of seven kinds of arare (Japanese rice crackers) from this very long-established store.

On the package is a waka poem. It seems to be a poem by Ono no Komachi from the Kokin waka-shu (Anthology of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poetry), which describes the beauty and transience of flowers.

When the package was opened, a wide variety of crackers appeared. There are quite a few different kinds in the package, making for a lively atmosphere.

There are a total of seven kinds of okaki, including bean arare, shrimp arare, sesame arare, seaweed wrapped arare, and kelp arare. Personally, I think that the shrimp and kelp arare are typical of Toyama’s okaki.

The Ito Kombu Arare (kelp) has kelp firmly attached to it and is very tasty. It was a nice assortment pack of seven different kinds of high quality various okaki.