🍜 Ishiiい志い

Ishii (い志い) is a long-established wagashi (Japanese confectionery) shop, founded in 1862. At that time, Tokyo was still known as "Edo." Although the exact age of the old building is uncertain, it has already endured over 200 years before the confectionery shop opened. The structure of the old house is solid and heavy, featuring a "maedoma" (前土間) earthen room facing the street, upward-opening doors and windows, and an architectural style known as "dekigakuzukuri" (出桁造) with eaves extending over the entrance. This style of Edo-period merchant architecture has been passed down to this day, and the building itself holds considerable historical value. Ishii specializes in takeout. During business hours, various specialty products are displayed at the storefront, attracting a lot of attention. The most popular item is the "Kome Kome Roll" (米米ロール). It is made by rolling rich cream inside a soft rice flour cake made from a mixture of glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice. Additionally, the "Tora Yaki" (阿寅燒) is a must-try delicious snack. Tora Yaki comes in various flavors, including the not overly sweet "Red Bean Paste Tora Yaki," as well as cream and salt flavors. The "Warabi Mochi" (蕨餅), made using traditional techniques, is also a Kanto flavor that is hard to find in other shops in Tokyo. The nostalgic-flavored wagashi is perfect for enjoying while strolling along the charming Daishido (帝釋天) approach. The shop also sells a variety of Japanese pickles, making them great souvenirs.

The oldest wooden building on the path to 帝釋天 (Daiseiten). A traditional 和菓子店 (wagashi shop) passed down through generations. The 米米蛋捲 (Mikimiki Egg Roll) is the shop's signature dessert. It is made by rolling fresh cream from Japan into a rice flour skin created using techniques from rice cakes and honey cakes. The "阿寅燒" (Ain-yaki), grilled one by one on a copper 平鍋 (hiragana pan), is also a hot-selling item at the shop. The snack artisan appears several times a day at the storefront to demonstrate the grilling of "阿寅燒." The "淺漬黃瓜" (Asazuke Cucumber), made with ingredients purchased from a vegetable specialty store, is very popular.