Koundo Honten

Ashikaga City, home of the historic “Ashikaga School” said to be the oldest school in Japan, is known for being a very academic area. However, did you know that it is also home to famous specialty sweets that exemplify the area’s qualities and characteristics?

One of these is a treat known as “koin monaka.” Monaka are a type of wagashi (Japanese sweets) made by wrapping red bean paste with a shell made of mochi. As its name suggests, “koin monaka” are a famous Ashikaga sweet because of their rectangular shape reminiscent of “koin,” old seals, related to parts of Ashikaga’s history like Ashikaga School and Bannaji Temple.

Koundo Honten is a long-established store that was founded back in 1868. They have been crafting the famous koin monaka for over 150 years, building up skills and knowledge along the way. Using adzuki beans from Tokachi to make red bean paste through the “ni-kuzushi method” passed down for generations results in a supremely rich flavor and deep sweetness. This paired with the aromatic homemade wafer shells makes for an amazing combination.

The paper used for wrapping contains writings from Mitsuo Aida, a famous Japanese calligrapher and poet, adding an extra layer of elegance. The monaka will keep for about one week at room temperature, so they make for great souvenirs.