Sticky? Or is it soft and chewy? Mysterious texture! Awa-manju, a specialty of Yanaizu Town, Fukushima Prefecture

  • Fukushima
  • Eating
Image courtesy of Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization

What is Awamanju?

Enzoji Temple on Mt. Reigansan, dedicated to the bodhisattva Fukuman Ku Kurosabosatsu (image courtesy of the Yanaizu Tourism Association)
In 1818, "Fukuman Kokuzo Bosatsu Enzo-ji Temple," one of the three major kokuzo sanctuaries in Japan, was hit by a huge fire that destroyed the kokuzo hall, 30 pagodas, and the temple's reception hall. It is said that the priest of the temple at that time, "Kaiyan Wako," distributed them as a talisman so that they would never again be "awa" in a calamity, and they became a specialty of Yanaizu." This traditional manju is made of a mixture of "awa" and "glutinous rice" and filled with a rich red bean paste. The steamed buns are glutinous when freshly steamed, and after a while you can enjoy the texture of the "awa" (millet).

The following is a list of four stores that sell "awamanju," a specialty of Yanaizu Onsen, the largest hot spring resort along the Tadami River! Please try and compare each store's specialty "awamanju"!

Hasegawa shop

Awamanju (image provided by Yanaizu Tourist Association)
Hasegawa shop
Hasegawa-ya's "awa-manju", made by the shop's enthusiastic and research-oriented proprietress, is made with local Aizu Yanaizu glutinous rice and awa flour for the dough, and carefully kneaded with carefully selected azuki beans to create an exquisite flavor. Seasonal manju (cherry blossom, mugwort, sesame, and pumpkin) are also popular.

Koike Confectionery

Awamanju (image courtesy of Koike Kashiho)
Koike Kashiho(Image provided by Koike Kashiho)
Koike Kashiho's nationally famous "Awamanju" are made from 100% domestic awa (millet) and local glutinous rice. The homemade red bean paste is made from Japanese azuki beans. The seasonal sakura awamanju (cherry blossom awamanju), the mountain salt awamanju made with mountain salt from Kitashiobara, and the chestnut awamanju (chestnut awamanju) available only in autumn are also popular.
Koike Kashiho official website

Inabaya Confectionery

Awamanju (Image courtesy of Inabaya Confectionery)
Inabaya Confectionery
For "tsubu-an" lovers, we recommend Inabaya Confectionery, the only confectionery in Yanaizu that sells awamanju with azuki bean grains and white koshi-an (sweet bean paste). Other popular items include chestnut manju with L-size chestnuts, cherry blossom awamanju, and the rare zunda awamanju.
Iinibaya Kashiten official website

Iwaiya

Awamanju(Image provided by Iwaiya)
Iwaiya
Iwaiya is said to be the originator of Yanaizu's specialty awamanju. The yellow skin made of glutinous rice and millet with a sticky texture is used to wrap the carefully kneaded high-quality koshi-an (sweet red bean paste) and steamed to make awamanju, a traditional taste that has been handed down for five generations. Other products, such as chestnut manju and Ayu monaka, are also carefully handmade one by one.

Iwaiya official website
All images are for reference only.
*The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
The information in this article is current as of April 2024.
For train + accommodation reservations in the Aizu area, book the JR East View Dynamic Rail Package.
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