The head office of "Kamome no Tamago", a popular souvenir from Sanriku, Iwate! Ofunato's [Kamome Terrace

Iwate
Souvenirs

2024/12/11

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The "Kamome no Tamago" is a well-known souvenir from Sanriku, Iwate! As the name suggests, the visual is an egg. Yellowish red bean paste wrapped in sponge cake dough and white chocolate is a standard souvenir. It is sold at souvenir shops, train stations, and inns, so you have probably seen it at least once, right?

The company that makes Kamome no Tamago is "Saito Seika," which was founded in 1933. Ofunato, where the company's head office is located, is home to the Kamome Terrace, which is the main store for Kamome no Tamago (Seagull Eggs). In this issue, we will introduce the products and limited edition sweets available at Kamome Terrace.

What is "Kamome no Tamago"?

Kamome no Tamago (Seagull Eggs) featuring the seagulls of Sanriku

Currently, there are various types of Kamome no Tamago. The standard Kamome no Tamago is a flavorful confection of moist and flaky yellowish red bean paste wrapped in sponge cake dough and white chocolate.

They are so good that they have won a gold medal at Monde Selection, Europe's most prestigious international food competition, for three consecutive years since 1990. They are particular about their ingredients, using "otebo" beans for the yolk bean paste, "shirozaraame" (white pomelo) for its moderate sweetness, and "kitakami wheat" grown in the northern Tohoku region.

Also available is "Kamome no Tamago Mini," an easy-to-eat mini-sized version of the standard Kamome no Tamago. The miniature size is said to be the most popular because of its easy-to-eat size.

Recommended for chocolate lovers: "Kamome no Shokoran

Kamome no Shokoran is a chocolate flavor of Kamome no Tamago. Chocolate paste is placed in the center of the chocolate bean paste! It is coated with bittersweet dark chocolate. It might make a good Valentine's Day gift..!

High-class Seagull Eggs! Golden Seagull Eggs

The "Golden Seagull Egg" is made with carefully selected whole chestnuts and wrapped in a special creamy red bean paste. The surface of the egg is decorated with gold leaf, giving it a luxurious look.

These premium Kamome no Tamago are named after the Oshu golden culture, including the Golden Hall of Chuson-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site in Iwate.

Available only at directly-managed stores! Chocolate Banana Flavor "Banacho

Banacho" is banana jam and banana-flavored red bean paste wrapped in sponge cake dough, coated with milk chocolate, and sprinkled with color spray as a finishing touch. Inspired by the "chocolate banana" sold at food stalls, this new "Kamome no Tamago" was created as an idea between Saito Confectionery and students at Iwate Prefectural University.

In the " JR East Souvenir Grand Prix 2019" organized by JR EastJR East, the "Special Award - Souvenir to be given as a local recommendation Award - <Northern Tohoku Area>"!

From buying sweets to making sweets at "Kamome Terrace

Located about a 3-minute walk from JR Ofunato Station, "Kamome Terrace" opened in 2017 as the main branch of "Sanriku Kasho Saito". The exterior is a modern brick structure. Proceeding inside the store, you will find a variety of brand-name products by Saito Seika, including Japanese sweets, Western-style confectionaries, breads, and rice cakes. There are also hands-on programs and events, tours of the confectionery production process, and a menu that can only be enjoyed at Kamome Terrace...!

Saito Mochiya, a café where you can enjoy a menu only available here!

Saito Seika's roots are actually in a rice cake shop. At Saito Mochiya, you can enjoy the handmade taste of grandmother Kinue, grandmother of the current chairman, Toshiaki Saito. Why don't you try the nostalgic taste of those days or the baked dumplings that are the specialty of the shop? The eat-in space is perfect for a break.

We would like to introduce some of our popular products.

The real taste! Specialty "Mitarashi Yaki Dango

Saito Mochiya's popular "Mitarashi Yaki Dango" are special dumplings made by steaming and mashing Koshihikari rice. The dumplings are baked to a fragrant aroma and covered generously with a special Mitarashi sauce.

The "chilled skewered dango" is available only during the summer season from June to mid-August. The dumplings are filled with sweet bean paste and crispy, and are very tasty when eaten cold!

Kamome Terrace's limited-edition "Kamome Soft"!

Seagull Soft" has been an absolute favorite since the opening of Seagull Terrace! It is a soft-serve ice cream made in the image of a "seagull egg. The yellowish red bean paste inside the egg is squeezed into a luxurious Mont Blanc style, and white chocolate in the shape of a seagull's wing is used as a motif.

Limited time flavors are also available, such as lemon flavor in summer, astringent chestnut flavor in fall and winter, and raspberry flavor in spring.

Brands of Saito Seika

In addition to Kamome no Tamago, you can purchase a variety of brand-name products from Saito Seika at Kamome Terrace. Starting with Saito Mochiya, the company now offers Japanese sweets, western-style confections, and even bread! You can fully experience the charm of Saito Seika.

Japanese confectionery "Sanriku Kasho Saito

Sanriku Kasho Saito" is the main brand of Saito Seika's Japanese confections, including baked sweets and asagashi.

A popular product is "yokan," a modern version of traditional yokan! This yokan is made with fruits and chocolate, and comes in three flavors. Chocolate yokan" is made by adding chocolate to white bean paste-based yokan, then adding orange peel and kneading it together to create a chocolate flavor with a fresh orange flavor. The "Passion Fruit & Cranberry" is a fruit yokan with a white bean paste base, and the "Tama Sugar" is made by adding "Tama Sugar," which has been used in the Kesen area for centuries, to the white bean paste base yokan.

Pâtisserie Saito" (Western-style confectionery)

In fact, Saito Seika also produces Western-style confections! Pâtisserie Saito" is an original brand of baked sweets and cakes, with the theme of "bringing rich delicacies for a moment of relaxation. Pâtisserie Saito sells shortcakes, whole cakes, cream puffs, madeleines, and other baked goods.

One of the most popular products is the "Terrine au Rhum Raisin! This terrine is made with white chocolate made from 100% carefully selected Ghanaian cacao beans and kneaded with flavorful butter. The raisins are Thompson raisins from sunny Southern California. You can enjoy the harmony of the aroma of the raisins soaked in rum and the rich flavor of the white chocolate.

Bakery "COCOA

COCOA is a bakery that delivers bread baked daily in the oven on Kamome Terrace. The 1st and 15th of each month are "New Bread Days," when six to eight new breads are introduced each month!

The most popular item is "Premium Anpan! This product is Ogura Anpan with whipped cream, and the Ogura An and whipped cream are a perfect match.

Factory View, where you can see the process of making confectionaries

Inside Kamome Terrace, there is a "Factory View," a large glass window that allows visitors to look into the process of making confectionery. Here, visitors can observe the production process of Saito Confectionery's Western-style confections and other original confections, such as "Hikari no Asa" (Morning of Light). Take a peek at how your favorite confectionery is made! You will surely fall in love with the confectionery even more.

*Manufacturing lines may be subject to cleaning and inspection work depending on the time of day.
Production lines may be shut down without notice.

Discover the new charm of Kamome no Tamago at Kamome Terrace

We introduced Kamome Terrace in Ofunato. In addition to purchasing souvenirs, you can also enjoy limited-edition sweets at Kamome Terrace. Be sure to stop by when you visit Ofunato.

Location

7-31 Aza-Chayamae, Ofunato-cho, Ofunato-shi

Access

3 minutes walk from Ofunato Station

*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.

*All images are for reference only.

Please check the availability of our products in advance.

Travel to Kamome Terrace on a weekday!

Be pampered by the seagulls!

Sightseeing spots that are crowded on holidays can be fully enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere on weekdays! Why not enjoy the products, sweets, and gourmet foods you are interested in to your heart's content?

JR East is now offering other new ways to enjoy your trip! Please check the official website for details.

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