🛍️ Akafuku Honten赤福本店

Founded in the early Edo period, in the 4th year of Hōei (1707), this long-established shop is located next to the Ise Jingu (伊勢神宮). The signature "Akafuku Mochi" has long been loved by worshippers. The chewy mochi is topped with red bean paste and has a unique shape, making it a type of confectionery. The three lines on the red bean paste represent the Isuzugawa (五十鈴川) river that flows through the sacred area of Ise Jingu, while the white mochi symbolizes the small stones in the riverbed. The historic main store was rebuilt in the 10th year of Meiji (1877) and opens at 5 AM to accommodate the worship schedule at Ise Jingu. Inside the shop, you can see skilled artisans known as "Mochi Ire-san" making Akafuku Mochi. Gift boxes are available, including an 8-piece folding box and a 2-piece "Meimeibako," and there are also options for dining in. The shop offers a set that includes 2 pieces of Akafuku Mochi paired with roasted tea. The tea is made from organically grown Ise tea from Mie Prefecture, specially blended to complement the Akafuku Mochi perfectly. Seasonal classics like "Akafuku Ice" in summer and "Akafuku Red Bean Soup" in winter are also must-try delicacies. In Ise, there is a custom called "Saku Nichi San" on the 1st of each month, where people wake up earlier than usual to worship at Ise Jingu. To welcome the visitors for "Saku Nichi San," the shop also offers a limited "Saku Nichi Mochi" on the 1st of each month. Additionally, there are seasonal products such as mugwort mochi in March, ogi mochi in September, and chestnut mochi in October, which change monthly and attract many fans from afar.

A long-established shop with a history of over 300 years. In addition to the classic "赤福餅" (Kakigori), there are also popular items like "赤福冰" (Kakigori Ice) and "赤福紅豆湯" (Kakigori Red Bean Soup) available for dine-in only. Besides the New Year, there is a limited "朔日餅" (Saku-nichi Cake) available on the first day of each month.