Kameya’s “Kawadori Mochi”

The signature product of Kameya, a Japanese confectionery shop in Hiroshima. This mochi confection is made with high-quality gyuhi rice dough mixed with walnuts and coated in roasted soybean flour. Its soft, chewy texture and the rich, nutty flavor of the walnuts make it especially delicious.

Its origins date back to the Muromachi period. When Morochika, an ancestor of Mori Motonari, a prominent daimyo of the Chugoku region, was attempting to cross a river during a battle, a pebble rose from the water and became caught in his horse’s tack. After winning the battle, Morochika believed the pebble had been a sign of divine aid, and a custom is said to have begun of eating mochi shaped like pebbles. When Motonari’s grandson Terumoto moved to Hiroshima Castle, the custom spread throughout Hiroshima, eventually becoming the beloved local confection it is today.

Kawadori Mochi is sold at Kameya’s main store and directly operated stores, as well as Hiroshima Station, Hiroshima Airport, highway service area shops, and major department stores throughout the prefecture. It comes in a range of package sizes and styles, including single- and double-tiered boxes, small boxes, and packages wrapped in bamboo leaves, making it easy to choose one to suit your needs. As a fresh confection, it has a relatively short shelf life of 7 days from the date of manufacture. Eating it soon after purchase is recommended to experience its ideal texture.