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

Speaking of the representative sweets of Kuwana City, Mie, there is the "Yasunaga-mochi".

Yasunaga-mochi is a long and flat baked rice cake filled with bean paste. Kuwanajuku once prospered as the premier post town of the fifty-three stations of the Tokaido. It is said that Yasunaga-mochi was widely popular among travelers who came to visit the Ise Shrine or visited Ise Shrine.

Currently, in Kuwana, Yasunaga-mochi is made at two stores, Nagamochiya Roho and Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya. From the history of Yasunaga-mochi to the state of manufacturing, we will fully deliver it.

This time, we also got to see how Yasunaga-mochi is made!

What is Kuwana's Specialty "Yasunaga-mochi"?

Yasunaga-mochi is a long and thin mochi filled with bean paste, and is characterized by its faint browning.

Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, which prospered as the 42nd Kuwanajuku of the 53 stations of the Tokaido. Yasunaga-mochi was a specialty that was popular with daimyo who passed through Kuwanajuku and travelers who visited Ise.

There are various legends about Yasunaga-mochi, but it is said that it was originally a round-shaped mochi, but became elongated so that it could be easily carried by travelers or made easier for mochi makers to bake. Because of its elongated shape, it was also called "Tomochi" or "Ox tongue mochi".

Founded in Kanei 11.
"Nagamochiya Rouho" that Continues to Preserve the Taste of the Time

First, let's head to Nagamochiya Rouhowhich is established in 1634. With the opening of the Kansai Line in 1892, it was relocated to its current location.

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.

In the elegant shop, you can find Yasunaga-mochi, Kuwana's famous confectionery "Miyako Manju", and "Kuwana Hamaguri Sable (shortbread)", which is popular with children.

This is Yasunaga-mochi from Nagamochiya Rouho.

The mochi with tsubuan (sweet bean paste) is stretched into thin strips and carefully baked one by one. The mochi spreads smoothly and is crisp, and the fragrant flavor spreads throughout your mouth. The sweet bean paste has an elegant taste.

No artificial coloring or additives are used*, so the expiration date is 3 days, including the manufacturing date. If the mochi becomes hard, lightly toast it in a frying pan or toaster, and it will be delicious!

*Shiromochi only

​

Red and white Yasunaga-mochi are treasured by the locals as lucky charms for weddings, school entrance ceremonies, and baby showers.

Yasunaga-mochi from Nagamochiya Rouho, which continues to be loved by many people.

In addition to the main store, you can purchase it at direct sales stores in Aichi, Mie, and Gifu prefectures, so be sure to give it a try.

[Nagamochiya Rouho Main Store
Address ：35 Yurakucho, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture
Phone number：0594-22-0327
Business hours ：8:00 - (closes when sold out)
Closed ：Open all year round

https://www.nagamochiyarouho.co.jp/index.html

Enjoy Freshly Baked Yasunaga-mochi
"Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya"

Next, head to Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya which is about a 5-minute walk from Kuwana Station.

It seems that the exact year of establishment is unknown, but it was founded in Yasunaga, Kuwana, more than 200 years ago. With the opening of the Kansai Line in 1892, it was moved to Kuwana Station.

It seems that they don't make it ahead of time because they want people to enjoy the freshly made taste. The storefront is lined with freshly baked Yasunaga-mochi.

You can see the workshop from the small window.

This is Yasunaga-mochi from Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya. Made with domestic glutinous rice and adzuki beans from Hokkaido, it is moderately sweet. Since its founding, it has been made by hand.

Both sides are browned, so it is characterized by its roasted aroma.

How is "Yasunaga-mochi" Made?

This time, I had a special opportunity to see how Yasunaga-mochi is made at "Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya".

First, steamed glutinous rice is followed by a mochi pounding machine. It came together in about 4 minutes.

Add hot water and sugar, and then follow with another mochi pounding machine. By doing this, the firmness of the mochi is adjusted.

They are pounding rice cakes at a tremendous speed. This is craftsmanship! !

"This mochi pounding machine has been in active use for over 80 years," the old lady told me.

Next is the process of making anmochi.

At a speed that can't be seen, they are tearing off the mochi. The mochi hardens over time, so it's a speed game.

Filled with plenty of homemade red bean paste using adzuki beans from Hokkaido.

Roll the anmochi around and flatten it out.

Finally, by stretching it horizontally, it will be in the shape of Yasunaga-mochi!

Next is the baking process.

Each piece is carefully grilled on an iron plate. In about 2-3 minutes, it will be deliciously browned. A fragrant scent spreads throughout the workshop.

With the craftsmen's good chemistry, Yasunaga-mochi is made more and more. At Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya, the mochi is made 8 to 9 times a day.

Finally, put it in a package and Yasunaga-mochi is complete!

By the way, the rabbit on the package is said to have originated from the fact that Yasunaga-mochi was also called "Tomochi" because it resembles a rabbit's ears.

I tried freshly made Yasunaga-mochi.

Soft and fluffy. The balance with the gentle sweetness of the bean paste is exquisite, and you'll likely end up eating more than one. You can really enjoy the flavor of glutinous rice only when it is freshly baked.

There is also a place to eat in the shop. If you get in the right time, you can have freshly made Yasunaga-mochi! Right after opening and around 12:30 to 13:00 in the afternoon are the best times to visit.

Please try to taste the freshly made deliciousness! Once you try it, you will definitely become addicted to it.

In addition to the stores introduced this time, you can also purchase at Gozaisho SA (up and down), Oyamada PA (down), Kuwanamachi station, etc.

[Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya]
Address ：1-74 Chuo-cho, Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture
Phone number：0594-22-1197
Business hours ：8:00-19:00 (closes when sold out)
Closed on New Year's Day

This time, we introduced the famous confection "Yasunaga-mochi" from Kuwana City, Mie.

I learned that even though they are the same Yasunaga-mochi, there are different flavors of Nagamochiya Rouho and Yasunagamochi Honpo Kashiwaya. Please try Kuwana's famous sweets that have been around since the Edo period!

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