The store's opening was finally unveiled in June after a three-month delay from the planned March opening. We are very happy to have a new store in our neighborhood," he says! It was very encouraging to hear the support from our neighbors," smiles Yoshiko, the wife of the third generation owner.

The new product using nuts, called seeds, comes in three varieties: peanuts, almonds, and walnuts, priced at 250 yen each. We have tried many things mixed into the dough, but they either didn't bake well or stuck to the molds. In this respect, nuts are a perfect match for monaka. The shape and size of each shape are also well received."

In addition to organic nuts, only Shiga Prefecture's Habutae mochi rice flour is used for the Saichu seeds. It is then steamed, kneaded, and baked into a simple Japanese snack. Looking at the cute gift package of monaka, tsubu-an (sweet bean paste), and nut paste all packaged separately, one can almost picture the faces of friends who love both Japanese sweets and nuts.