🛍️ Wansong Tang萬松堂

Located in the central part of Nara Prefecture, "Yoshinoyama" is an entire mountain area designated as a World Heritage site. The "Kinpu-ji Temple," the headquarters of the Shugendo sect, is a symbolic presence in the area. In front of the temple gate is "Banshodou," a long-established wagashi shop beloved by worshippers, which has been in operation since the Meiji era, making it over a century old. The signature "Sakura Yokan" features a two-tone design made of sakura-flavored kanten wrapped around matcha-colored yokan, creating a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. The shop hopes to offer this famous Yoshino confectionery not just in spring but throughout the year. The cherry blossom trees of Yoshinoyama are considered sacred, and the product uses cherry blossoms specially sourced from Izu. The grass rice cakes, made with a large amount of mugwort grown on contracted farms and free from additives, are a dessert that was once offered to Emperor Showa. The gentle sweetness of the homemade red bean paste beautifully complements the flavor of the mugwort, resulting in a simple yet layered texture.

Since the Meiji era, this long-established shop has been beloved by visitors to Yoshino Shrine. Their signature dish, "Sakura Yokan," allows you to enjoy the cherry blossoms all year round. The "Kusa Mochi," with its elegant filling that highlights the flavor of mugwort, is a dessert that was once offered to Emperor Showa.