Koshikakean - the best wagashi shop in Yamagata Prefecture

Yamagata Prefecture is in the Tohoku region, the northern part of Japan. This means they have rich resources to make great food; pure, natural, delicious water, and ingredients produced in the neighboring farms.

When I traveled to Yamagata, I got to encounter one of the best wagashi, Japanese confectionery shop, I have ever had. The name of the shop is “Koshikakean (腰掛庵)”

The long-established wagashi shop situated in a 120 years old building

Koshikakean is located in a small residential neighborhood and might be difficult to find at first the first visit. The shop is situated in a pretty old house style building. The building is said to be more than 120 years old.

Look for this orange sign saying “Koshikakean (こしかけ庵)”

Koshikakean’s building is more than 120 years old

Koshikakean is popular not only with tourists but also among locals as well. There is always a queue after opening, so better to arrive early to purchase their mochi.

Signature Product: Warabi Mochi

Warabi Mochi is a jelly-like mochi with Kinako and Kuro Mitsu on the top. They have other varieties called Warabi Manju, which has red bean paste or strawberry or zunda (edamame) paste inside. Both of them were extremely delicious.

The boxes of Koshikakean’s Warabi Mochi are pretty.

Inside of Koshikakean's warabi mochi box

The simplest warabi mochi. It was extremely soft and melted instantly in the mouth.

Koshikakean’s Warabi Manju, the kind with paste inside

It is really hard to describe how their Warabi Mochi is like. It was just SO DELICIOUS. Warabi Mochi is fluffy like jelly, but at the same time, it melts right away in the mouth. The sweetness is so natural, and you can’t stop eating the next bite.

Be sure to get there by early afternoon, because when I was there around 3:00 PM, most of the products were sold out already.

They also offer Jouman (sake bun) and shaved ice as their signature products. I would like to try them when I have a chance to visit next time.

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