Takahashi Magozaemon Shoten

5.0

This long-standing shop, established in 1624, has been making Japanese ame hard candies continuously since the Edo period. Standing along the old Hokkoku Highway, the shop sports a history-laden facade. Inside, the shop continues to make and sell awa-ame syrup, okina-ame and sasa-ame candies, and other Japanese confections. Okina-ame, made by hardening mizu-ame syrup with kanten algae gelatin, was once carried by the lords of Takada Castle when they made their biannual trip to Edo to give as gifts. Their chewy texture and light flavor makes it hard to stop eating them once you start. Sasa-ame, sold since the Bunka period, consist of thoroughly kneaded awa-ame syrup wrapped in a kuma bamboo grass leaf. The vaunted delights even make an appearance in Natsume Soseki’s celebrated novel, “Botchan.”

Spot details

Address: Niigata Joetsu-shi Minamihoncho 3-7-2 Map
Area: Myoko / Joetsu Area
Phone: 0255241188
Hours: Around 8:30-18:30
Closed: Wednesday(Open on New Year's Holiday except Public holiday, Buddhist vacation, and New Year's Day), 1/1
Parking Lot: Available(5spaces)
Credit Card: Available(VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, UnionPay, others)
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Not available
English Menu: Available (Pamphlet available in English)
Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day: Yes
Estimated stay time: 0-30 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Possible (toilet is located on the 2nd floor, so it is difficult to accommodate)
Infant friendly: Available
Pet friendly: Not available

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Review

A Delightful Sweet Store With History

Reviewed : 2019.03.21

It was a cold and rainy winters day when we decided to sightsee around Joetsu and it was a longer walk than we thought to find this shop but we were determined to make what felt like a pilgrimage...