Editor’s RecommendationAsakusa (department store)syrup-coveredblend of seven spices (cayenne, sesame, Japanese pepper, citrus peel, etc.)doll-shaped pancake filled with bean jampreserved food boiled in soyJapanese confectioneryLong-established shop in Asakusasouvenir from Asakusasweet bean jelly
Asakusa, Tokyo, is a place that retains a strong sense of downtown Edo. If you have come all the way to Asakusa for sightseeing, it is recommended that you choose souvenirs from long-established stores that reflect the traditions unique to Asakusa. In this article, we will introduce six excellent Asakusa souvenirs, focusing on “food.
Anmitsu (bean jam) made with the highest quality amakusa seaweed at “Umezono Asakusa Honten” (main store)
Passing through the Kaminarimon gate of Sensoji Temple, turn left in the middle of “Nakamise-dori” lined with many souvenir stores, and you will see the sweet shop “Umezono Asakusa Honten”. The best thing to get here is “Souvenir Anmitsu. The agar in the anmitsu is made from the finest Japanese amakusa seaweed, and is satisfying whether eaten on its own or in combination with anko (red bean paste), mikan (mandarin orange), or gyuuhi (sweet bean paste). The richness of the molasses also enhances the agar. For tea lovers, try the “Souvenir Matcha Anmitsu,” which combines matcha agar and matcha mitsu.
For more information about this long-established shop, please visithere (place close to the speaker or where the speaker is)
If you would like to purchase by mail order
Chestnut-flavored yokan (sweet bean jelly) from “Ryushotei Nishimura,” which has been loved for more than 160 years
Ryushotei Nishimura, a Japanese confectionery store located in front of Kaminarimon, offers its signature product, “Kurimushi-Yokan” (sweet made of sweet bean jelly with sweetened chestnuts). Founded in 1854, the shop’s first owner invented “Kurimushi-Yokan”, which has been loved for more than 160 years. The smooth texture of the bean paste and the flavor of the adzuki beans themselves give it an appealing, high-quality sweetness that one never gets tired of. One of the characteristics of this product is that it is made with a traditional recipe and is covered with chestnuts. The luxurious visual appeal is sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone who opens the package. It is a perfect souvenir for your loved ones.
Kimuraya Honten’s doll-shaped biscuits with motifs associated with Asakusa
At Kimuraya Honten, Asakusa’s oldest doll yaki store, you can purchase doll yaki, a specialty of Nakamise-dori. The doll yaki are made using four different molds, including the Kaminarimon lantern, the thunder god, the five-story pagoda, and a dove, all of which are associated with Asakusa, and are visually appealing enough to let you know you have been to Asakusa at first glance. The classic item, Ningyo-yaki with An (sweet bean paste), is a perfect match of moist dough and refined sweetness of Koshi-an (sweet bean paste). Ningyo-yaki without an an (sweet bean paste) is also available for those who do not like anko (red bean paste) or sweet foods. The product lasts up to a week at room temperature, so there is no need to worry about carrying it around for long periods of time during sightseeing.
Funawa Honten’s sweet potato Yokan, which lets you enjoy the true taste of sweet potatoes
Funawa is a Japanese confectionery store located at the intersection of Shin-Nakamise-dori and Orange-dori. The “Imoyokan”, which has been loved for over 120 years, is made with sugar and a little salt, without coloring, preservatives, or flavoring, so that the original flavor of the sweet potato can be enjoyed. Like the “Imoyokan,” the “Ankodama” (sweet bean paste balls), which have been sold since the establishment of the shop, are also popular. Both can be enjoyed in the coffee shop area on the second floor.
Ebiya Sohonpo’s tsukudani (food boiled in soy sauce) is also popular for its low-sodium products.
If you are heading to Tokyo Sky Tree from Asakusa, you should definitely stop by “Ebiya Sohonpo,” a tsukudani (food boiled in soy sauce) shop just across the Azuma Bridge. Founded in 1869 (Meiji 2), this popular store is still visited by locals as soon as it opens, and its “Wakani Tsukudani” series of low-sodium tsukudani, developed by the fourth-generation owner in response to growing health consciousness after World War II, is very popular. The amount of salt is about 30% less than that of conventional tsukudani, and it is simmered with sugar, soy sauce, and syrup to create an elegant and rich flavor. The product lineup includes such delicacies as cod roe, kelp cut into thin strips, and tuna fish paste, all of which are sure to make your chopsticks sing.
Yagenbori Shinnakamise Honten, a favorite of the third Shogun, Iemitsu
Yagenbori Shinnakamise Honten” is where you can purchase shichimi (seven spice) chili pepper, a favorite of Tokugawa’s third shogun, Iemitsu. It is a long-established store that has been dedicated to shichimi for 400 years since its establishment in the Edo period (1603-1868), and has been in business for 10 generations. The shop is especially popular for its custom-made shichimi togarashi (seven spice spice seasonings), which can be adjusted for spiciness and aroma to order. You can get “my own shichimi togarashi” that perfectly matches your taste. If you are unsure of the recipient’s tastes, it is better to choose the most popular “Shichimi Togarashi (seven spice chili peppers) Medium Spicy” which has a perfect balance of spiciness and aroma. We also have a selection of large and small hot chili peppers.
In Asakusa, where a variety of stores stand side by side, the excellent products from long-established stores that have been supported for many years will surely be appreciated by men and women of all ages. Please check them out when you visit Asakusa.
