1. What is Juichiya’s main shop restaurant “kitöne”?

Juichiya is a long-established Japanese and Western confectionery shop founded in 1804.

The company has six stores within Yamagata Prefecture, and its main store in Nanokamachi in Yamagata City was renovated and reopened in November 2023.

In addition to selling sweets, the main shop also has a restaurant called kitöne next door where you can enjoy lunch and dinner.

The restaurant’s concept is “wood” and “sound.” You can spend a special time in a space where you can feel the warmth and harmony of nature.

 

For more information, please see this article ▼

2. A look at the 2nd Japanese sweets café workshop

Japanese Sweets café is a special café event where you can enjoy a course of freshly made Japanese sweets prepared right in front of you by Juichiya’s Japanese sweets artisans, set against the backdrop of Gotenzeki, a historic site in Yamagata City.

Overview of the 2nd Japanese sweets café event

Date January 7 (Tue.), 2025
Hours 2 sessions  13:00~14:30  & 15:00~16:30
Fee 3,000 yen (tax included)
Capacity Limited to 15 people per session
Reservation method Call Nanokamachi main shop (023-622-0011) or use the dedicated form

This time I attended the session from 13:00 to 14:30.
First, we entered the store, checked in, and were shown to our seats.

There is a menu prepared on the table.

So I can enjoy this content today. I’m looking forward to it.

Menu: Fukutemari, sweet potato yokan brulee, monaka canapés, spring rice cakes, seasonal josei demonstration, kombucha tea made with real kudzu

Once we were seated, we were given the opportunity to choose from the following three types of high-grade confectionery, which was then demonstrated right in front of us.

・Red plum ・Yurine gold tonkotsu ・Whole sea bream

I chose “Beni Ume” (Red Plum). I was excited by the vibrant colors that reminded me of spring.

After a while, the store staff gave a greeting and the event began.

The first item is Fuku Temari .

As the craftsman went around to each table, he carefully explained the motifs and meanings of the Japanese sweets.

Craftsman: “Temari balls are considered lucky objects, so this time we have expressed temari balls as Japanese sweets. They are filled with walnut paste. Walnuts are covered in hard shells, which are considered a symbol of protection and good luck. We made these with the hope that everyone will be happy this year.”

Rather than just enjoying the Japanese sweets, I learned the meaning and wishes that went into each one, which made it feel even more special.

The inside of the temari was colorful and very beautiful.
The cute plum blossoms around the plate are made from an ingredient called “anpei,” which is made by adding rice flour to red bean paste and steaming it.

It was a little hard, but had a great flavor.

They also provide homemade salted kelp, which has an exquisite balance of saltiness and sweet Japanese sweets, so you’ll find yourself alternating between the two.

 

The second dish is sweet potato yokan brulee .

This was actually grilled right in front of me.

The sight of it being grilled right in front of you and the aroma of the caramel sauce will whet your appetite.

Artisan: “We spread a sweet and salty caramel sauce, similar to that of candied sweet potato, on top of the crepe crepe. It goes well with the sauce inside, so we recommend eating them together.”

When you cut it in half, the caramel and chocolate ooze out.

The caramel sauce, caramel and chocolate sauce combine perfectly for an exquisite taste.

The accompanying purple nerikiri pastry was filled with sweet potato paste, another elegant dish that made the most of Japanese ingredients.

 

The third dish is Monaka Canapes.

Artisan: “These are Japanese sweets that you can enjoy as you like, like canapes. We have prepared chestnut kinton, koshian paste, dadachamame beans from Tsuruoka, fresh cream, Sicilian rock salt in the middle, and butter. Please enjoy them however you like.”

Use a butter knife to place your favorite bean paste or cream onto the mochi.

You’ll be spoilt for choice with the wide range of flavor combinations.

All the combinations were delicious, but my favorite was the combination of “koshian paste x butter.” The creamy richness and sweetness of the koshian paste were the best.

The monaka are gone in no time and we wait for the next Japanese sweets.

This hands-on experience with Japanese sweets is more enjoyable than you can imagine.

 

The fourth item is Haru Tsuge Mochi, a treat that anticipates spring.

Artisan: “It’s made with glutinous rice from Yamagata Prefecture, wrapped in koshian paste, and finished with soybean flour.”

When you put it in your mouth, the rich aroma of green soybean flour spreads softly. The gentle sweetness that suggests the arrival of spring and the smooth and soft texture are appealing.

Also served with the meal was a confectionery filled with plum flesh, which had a light and crunchy texture and a refreshing plum flavor.

It is an auspicious combination based on the theme of plums and warblers, and the aroma of soybean flour gives it an even more spring-like feel.

Next up is finally the Seasonal Josei Demonstration.

He went around the table and demonstrated it right in front of us.

The nerikiri was made right in front of me, and I was impressed by how vivid and delicate it was.

In no time, the “Red Plum” I chose was ready.

It is truly a luxurious experience for both the eyes and the tongue.

This time I went alone, but it would be nice to come with a group so you can enjoy watching your friends making Nerikiri.

Finally, we were served some bell-shaped Japanese sweets and konbucha tea made with real kudzu.

Craftsman: “Bells are considered to be auspicious because they ward off evil spirits and announce the arrival of gods. We hope that by eating these Japanese sweets, you will all live happily.”

Suzu’s Japanese sweets are very cute.

The kelp tea is made using the stock left over from making the salted kelp that we were given initially, and hon-kuzu (kudzu).
The second Japanese sweetscafé came to a close after enjoying kombucha tea, which is imbued with the meaning of “joy.”

The time passed by quickly, and even though I was alone, it was a very enjoyable experience.

3. Summary

At the 2nd Japanese Sweetscafé, visitors were able to enjoy a special Japanese sweets experience that combined the masterful techniques of Japanese sweets artisans with new ideas while still making use of tradition.

The luxurious moment of enjoying Japanese sweets prepared right before your eyes is a performance that is only possible in a relaxed atmosphere with a small number of attendees.

Please look forward to the next event, the 3rd Japanese sweetscafé !

The 3rd Japanese Sweets café
[Date and Time]
February 15 (Sat.), 2025
16:00~17:30 [Limited to 10 people]
* The 14:00 event is sold out.
For more information, please check out the store’s official Instagram or contact us directly (☎ 023-622-0011).