[10 selections] Perfect for Weekend Outings! Kuwana's Recommended Foods & Restaurants

About 30 minutes by car from Nagoya, Kuwana City is located in the northern part of Mie Prefecture. It is a city where nature and history are alive, surrounded by the sea, mountains and rivers. It developed as a hub for transportation and logistics, and prospered as a castle town and an inn town during the Edo period.

Kuwana has a variety of specialty products, including marine products blessed by the nature of the three Kiso rivers, Japanese sweets and mochi products with a history dating back to the Edo period.

So this time, we will introduce recommended gourmet foods and restaurants that are fully packed with the charm of Kuwana.

*Some stores may be temporarily closed, so please check the official website or call when you go out.

What is "Kuwana", Blessed with Magnificent Nature?

Kuwana is blessed with the magnificent nature of the three Kiso rivers and Mt. The specialty clams are famous nationwide. It is also one of the best tourist cities in Mie Prefecture, blessed with abundant tourism resources such as Nagashima Spa Land, Tado Taisha Shrine, Rokkaen, and the Tokaido Shichiri no Watari.

In addition, Ishidori Festival, which is held in the city every August, is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and is called "Noisiest festival in Japan."

How to Get to Kuwana?

<Access from Nagoya>
By train: About 25 minutes on the JR Kansai Main Line or Kintetsu Nagoya Line
By car: About 30 minutes on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway or Isewangan Expressway

Kuwana, which has excellent access from Nagoya, is a recommended spot for a day trip!
Now, let's take a look at some recommended gourmet foods.

Kuwana Specialty "Yasunaga Mochi"

When you think of Kuwana, you can't miss the famous "Yasunaga Yasunaga-mochi ".

Yasunaga-mochi is a long and flat baked rice cake filled with bean paste. It began in Yasunaga, which is located south of Kuwanajuku, which prospered as the best post station on the Tokaido. I am loved

In Kuwana, Yasunaga mochi is made at two stores: Nagamochiya Rouho and Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya.

Yasunaga Mochi from Nagamochiya Rouho

​Nagamochiya Rouho was founded in 1634. It is a long-established store that continues to make Yasunaga mochi using domestically produced glutinous rice and azuki beans, using the same method as back then.

The mochi with tsubuan (sweet bean paste) is stretched into thin strips and carefully baked one by one. No artificial coloring or additives are used, so it can be enjoyed by men and women of all ages.
*Shiromochi only

<From the owner>
We do not use any artificial colorings or additives, and continue to make Yasunaga Mochi while preserving the traditional method. Please visit us when you come to Kuwana.

[Nagamochiya Rouho Main Store]
Address : 35 Yurakucho, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture
Phone number：0594-22-0327
Business hours: 8:00 - (close when sold out)
Regular holiday ：Open all year round
https://www.nagamochiyarouho.co.jp/index.html

Yasunaga-mochi from Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya.

"Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya" is located about a 5-minute walk from Kuwana Station. Because we want you to enjoy the freshly made deliciousness, we do not make it in advance. The storefront is always lined with freshly baked Yasunaga-mochi.

Please enjoy it with Kuwana's famous sweets that have been around since the Edo period.

<From the owner>
Since our founding, we have been making Yasunaga mochi by hand every day. Depending on the timing, we can serve piping hot, so please give us a shout. You can enjoy a different taste when freshly baked.

[Yasunaga mochi main store Kashiwaya]
Address: 1-74 Chuomachi, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture
Phone number: 0594-22-1197
Business hours: 8:00-19:00 (closes when sold out)
Closed:-

Life Designs

2021.12.01

A Must-try Sweets! Factory Tour of Kuwana's Specialty "Yasunaga-mochi"

https://life-designs.jp/webmagazine/yasunaga_mochi

三重県桑名市の代表的な銘菓と言えば、「安永餅（やすながもち）」。安永餅とは、つぶ餡の入った細長く平らな焼き餅のこと。かつて東海道五十三次随一の宿場として栄えた桑名宿。安永餅は、参勤交代やお伊勢参りの旅人に広く親しまれたのだといいます。現在、桑名では「永餅屋老舗」「安永餅本舗 柏屋」の2店舗で、安永餅がつくられています。安永餅の歴史から製造の様子まで、たっぷりとお届けします。今回は、安永餅の製造の様子も見学させていただきましたよ！桑名名物「安永餅」とは安永餅は細長く伸ばした餅につぶ餡が入っており...

Bakery that Sticks to Handmade
"Mugizo"

Located in a residential area of Kuwana, “Mugizo” is a bakery with a garden terrace that focuses on handmade products. About 50 different types of bread line up at the shop every day, and most of the fillings used in the bread are made in-house.

In addition, we are constantly researching ingredients because we want our customers to eat deliciously with peace of mind. All of the breads made with various methods such as long-time fermentation and natural yeast are exquisite.

From the left: "Apple pie" "Krone" "Bagel"

The most recommended items by the staff are "Krone" which can be filled with cream (chocolate cream or custard cream) at the shop front, "Bagel" made from domestic wheat, and "Apple Pie (limited time offer)" made from Kodama apples grown in Nagano Prefecture.

The pandemie bread that is only available on Saturdays and Sundays is also a popular item.

You can also eat-in the purchased bread. There are also terrace seats, so how about spending a wonderful time eating delicious bread with coffee?

All of the breads are said to be lined up around noon, so it's a good idea to visit during that time.

<From the owner>
Since our founding, we have been making bread while constantly researching every day in search of deliciousness.
Please come and enjoy our delicious bread.

[Mugizo]
Address : 2-308 Shin-Nishikata, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture
Phone number：0594-23-6577
Business hours: 8:30 - 19:00 (close when sold out)
Closed: Monday and Tuesday

http://mugizou.riric.jp/index.html

Rice Crackers Made from Japanese Rice and Water
"Birokusanso"

A recommended souvenir from Kuwana is the rice cracker "Birokusanso", which is made using delicious Japanese "rice", "water" and "ingredients". Our commitment to rice crackers made with a careful manufacturing method is thorough from the selection of ingredients.

The rice is purchased directly from the farmers as unpolished rice and milled in-house. The water used is mellow and palatable "electronic water", which is said to have an anti-oxidation effect. In addition, the seasonings used for rice crackers are made with as few additives as possible, and the oil used is a blend of "rice oil" and "palm oil".

In the basement of the factory, "carbon", which is said to have the effect of dehumidifying and air cleaning, is also buried. In order to make delicious rice crackers, we are very particular about the environment.

“Curry rice crackers” have a wide variety of variations.

The popular curry rice cracker.
Japanese-style curry sauce with a spicy taste of black pepper. It's fried in rice bran oil so it's not sticky, and it's hard to get heartburn, so you can't help but eat too much.

Tagane rice crackers

Tagane Senbei is a specialty of Kuwanajuku the 42nd station on the Tokaido. Carefully selected domestic glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice are steamed in a steam basket just like in the old days, and the dough is carefully pounded with a pestle and baked one by one. Rich namabiki tamari and natural seasonings (additive-free seasoning finish) are used.

You can eat it as it is, and it goes well with tea or as a snack with alcohol. Dip in cream cheese for a mild taste!

From the upper left "salad boy" "kimchi hail" "scorched rice cracker" "tsukune hail"

New product "Shrimp Bisque Senbei"

In addition, there are a variety of special rice crackers such as "Salad Kozo", "Kimchi Arare", "Okoge Senbei", "Tsukune Arare", and the new product "Shrimp Bisque Senbei"!

All of them have a very delicious and addictive taste. The package is also cute, so it is recommended as a souvenir.

<From the owner>
All the staff welcome customers with a smile and sincerity so that they can feel "delicious" when eating, "happy" when receiving, and "good" when giving.

[Biroku Sanso]
Address : 291 Katori, Tado-cho, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture
Telephone number：0120-48-3693
Business hours: 9:00 - 17:00
Closed: Wednesdays, Year-end and New Year holidays

https://www.biroku.com/

online store
https://www.biroku.com/shopping.asp

A Happy Store!
Store Specializing in Baked Confectionery Muffins
"HAPPY MUFFIN"

"HAPPY MUFFIN", is located near Kyuka Park, is a bakery specializing in muffins made with carefully selected ingredients so that even small children can enjoy their muffins with peace of mind. We sell muffins that we baked that morning because we want you to eat freshly made. It is a popular store where people line up every day before it opens.

About 30 types of muffins are always on display at the store. The ingredients used are flour from Hokkaido, cane sugar, butter, Ouchiyama milk, and eggs from Kirara no Sato. The ingredients for the muffins, such as caramel sauce and peanut butter, are also handmade in the store, so you can enjoy healthy and delicious muffins.

caramel nut muffin

We recommend the “Caramel Nut Muffin,” which is like no other. A delicious crunchy muffin with walnuts coated in caramel.

Black sesame and sweet potato honey walnut muffin

This is the “Black Sesame and Sweet Potato Honey Walnut Muffin” made using sweet potatoes that the father of the shop owner made in the field. The combination of warm sweet potato and walnut is perfect!

We also recommend sweet potato muffins.

One of the most popular items among children is the “choco chocolate muffin,” which has chocolate dough with diced chocolate. This is a recommended muffin that the owner, who loves chocolate, has tried many times to make a delicious chocolate dough!

There are muffins that do not use eggs, milk, or flour, so even those with allergies can rest assured.

Eat-in limited mini muffins (set of 3)

Nell drip coffee & limited apple pie

You can also eat in with delicious coffee in the store. Coffee is provided with HAPPY MUFFIN original blend to match muffins. It is a rich coffee that pulls beans for each order and brews with flannel drip. It seems that the beans are roasted twice a month in small quantities so that the aroma and taste do not deteriorate.

The limited apple pie is limited to 6 per day, so don't miss it!

<From the owner>
HAPPY MUFFIN is run by my father, mother and myself.
My father is in charge of flannel drip coffee and the cash register. My mom and I are in charge of making muffins and packing them!
Please come to the muffin shop where the three of us work together.

[HAPPY MUFFIN]
Address: 36 Kita Uomachi, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture
Phone number: 090-5114-3346
Business hours: 10:30-15:00
Closed: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday

https://happymuffin.info/

An Old-fashioned Western Restaurant Loved by Kuwana Citizens
"Bunkatei"

Bunkatei is a small Western-style restaurant that continues to be loved by the people of Kuwana.

To make their customers to be happy, their fried clams are freshly peeled after receiving an order. Basically, they are not made in advance and are carefully made one by one.

Since its opening, it has been popular with locals for its reasonably priced menu.
Fried oysters, which are only available in winter, are also popular.

Bunka Mori

The most popular "Bunka Mori". An assortment of hamburger steak, shrimp wrapped in crab cream croquette, and fried clams.

Shrimp wrapped in crab cream croquette was soft and plump, it was the first texture. The fried clams will fill your mouth with the flavor of fresh clams. Even though it's your first time eating it, you'll feel nostalgic and want to eat it again.

You can add at least one clam to any dish.

It is also a nice point that you can take out any menu. Bunkatei's menu has a soothing taste that makes you happy no matter how many times you eat it.

<From the owner>
We make our products with love every day so that our customers can say that they are delicious. Because it is made carefully, it takes a little time to serve. You can make a reservation until 12:00. We also have temporary holidays, so please call us once.

[Bunkatei]
Address ：132 Shinyashiki, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture
Phone number：0594-22-7047
Business hours: 11:30-14:00/17:30-21:00
Closed: Monday (open on national holidays). Closed the next day (Tuesday) or twice a month on consecutive holidays.

"Fruit Shaved Ice that does not Use Water or Syrup"
"FRUITS SNOW"

Kuwana's popular shaved ice "FRUITS SNOW" is located in "Kuwana Teramachi-dori Shopping Street". Fruit shaved ice that does not use water or syrup uses seasonal fruits luxuriously. Shaved ice that looks like a parfait
It became a hot topic by word of mouth and SNS, and it became a popular store in the blink of an eye.

The inside of the store, which was renovated from an old private house, is very cute! The graphic art on the wall was created by the shop owner who is also a designer.

It is also a point that you can enjoy the taste of different fruits for each ice. "Fruit shaved ice" that does not use any water has a "fluffy texture" that you can't taste anywhere else. It may be better to go in the summer prepared for a queue! The goal is to get there before the store opens and line up.

Ice manju shaved ice

Kuwana's specialty "Ice Manju" turns into shaved ice! It has two layers of zenzai ice and milk ice, and fresh fruits are used luxuriously.

Once you start eating, you won't be able to stop.

strawberry milk shaved ice

The ever-popular "Strawberry milk shaved ice". It is a gem with an irresistible balance of sourness and sweetness.

potato chestnut shaved ice

At FRUITS SNOW, you can enjoy various kinds of shaved ice for each season. Limited time products are limited in quantity, so hurry up.

Popular with women "Pistachio Banana Parfait"

Hearty "Fruit Sandwich"

Outside of summer, as a "fruit cafe", in addition to fruit shaved ice, popular croissants and fruit sandwiches are available only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays and at the morning market, as well as seasonal parfaits, soft serve ice cream, fruit tea, juice, and coffee.

<From the owner>
All of the menus using fresh fruits are seasonal. The fluffy texture of shaved ice can be enjoyed with a variety of seasonal fruits, so you won't get bored no matter how many times you come. It's a cafe that you can enjoy all year round, so please stop by when you come to Kuwana.

[FRUITS SNOW.]
Address: 43 Kitaderamachi, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture
Phone number: 0594-88-5812
Business hours: 11:00-18:00 (LO 17:45)
Closed: Mondays (next weekday if Monday is a holiday)

*Open every day from Marine Day in July to August 31
*Sandwiches are only sold at Sanpachi Market on the 3rd and 8th days and on weekends and holidays (limited from early October to late May)
*Sanhachiichi sells sandwiches at the store from 8:00 in the morning.
*From December to March, only open on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and Sanhachi market days
*For details, please check Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/fruits_snow/