Japan is one of the must-visit countries for lovers of delicious cuisine. Apart from ramen and sushi, Japan is also famous for its unique and tasty sweets. Sweet treats in Japan are among the desserts or snacks sought after by foreign tourists when visiting there. Usually, desserts are served in various flavors, in line with the increasingly modern times. One of the favorite desserts or snacks that are highly sought after by tourists is Daifuku. Have you ever tried it?

Daifuku is a traditional Japanese snack made from red bean paste wrapped in mochi. It first appeared during the Heian period (794-1185) in Japan. Its name originates from two Japanese words, "dai" meaning big, and "fuku" meaning luck. These words depict the purpose of this food, which is to bring luck and happiness to those who consume it.

Daifuku, one of the types of Wagashi or Mochi, uses premium rice flour that results in a soft texture and is not too sticky when bitten into. Its dense filling provides a satisfying experience with every bite. In addition to anko, daifuku is often filled with whole strawberries coated in red bean paste, vanilla, or chocolate. The variety of fillings such as mocha, apricot, purple sweet potato, caramel cream, and ice cream make it popular among many people. Furthermore, daifuku comes in various colors like pink, brown, and white, enhancing its visual appeal. Just imagining it makes one salivate and envision its deliciousness.

At the end of the 18th century, the popularity of daifuku rapidly increased, and people began to enjoy it by grilling it. As a sweet snack, daifuku is best enjoyed with a cup of green tea, truly delightful. The sweetness of daifuku can be complemented by the slightly bitter taste of green tea. Various types of daifuku with varying fillings can be found in restaurants, supermarkets, or convenience stores. Some of them include:

Here are some recommendations for restaurants with the most delicious daifuku mochi menu in Japan that you must try:

In Kyoto, there is a mochi shop that has become legendary. Established since 1899, Demachi Futaba is located in Demachiyanagi Kyoto. This shop has won numerous awards in Japanese Confectionery Competitions and is recognized as the tastiest mochi producer for four consecutive years. Therefore, visiting this shop is a must. During holidays or weekends, queues can reach up to an hour.

At Demachi Futaba, the most popular item is the mame mochi, filled with red bean paste combined with chewy mochi dough and added with sweet and slightly savory black beans, it has a very soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and, most importantly, not overly sweet. If you want to try other varieties, you can try the sakura ebi mochi, which are small pink shrimp mochi. It feels like wanting to try each one, doesn't it?

It should be noted that Demachi Futaba does not use preservatives in its products; therefore, it's better to consume them within a day after purchase.

In the heart of Harajuku, Tokyo, we recommend Mizuho as the ultimate destination, renowned for their signature Mame Daifuku recipe. Upon stepping into this shop, your eyes are immediately drawn to the beautiful structure adorned with traditional Japanese décor, wooden furnishings, sliding doors, and soft paper lanterns. Its tranquil atmosphere invites us to indulge in the beautiful creations offered by Mizuho, perfect for a soothing retreat.

Mizuho offers one of the best Mame Daifuku in Tokyo. Nearly the size of a palm, with a rich and soft texture, and delicious red bean paste inside. Just by looking at it, feeling its weight, and touching its softness, you can sense that this daifuku is truly of high quality. It's no wonder that Mizuho's Mame Daifuku is highly sought after, often selling out by late afternoon. You must try it when visiting Mizuho.

There's no doubt that the Mame Daifuku at Mizuho is one of the finest and most delicious you'll encounter. Its smooth and delectable red bean filling wrapped in a layer of mochi with a hint of saltiness creates a flavor combination that truly delights the palate. While this shop is incredibly popular among tourists, it's worth noting that it's not advisable to bring back mochi as souvenirs to other countries as they will only stay fresh for two or three days.

Gunrindo is considered one of the top three shops in Tokyo that offer Mame Daifuku mochi. This shop has been standing since the Taisho era, around the 1900s. Here, you can find the best and most delicious Mame Daifuku, so it's no wonder that by ten in the morning, there are already many people waiting outside the shop. When the shop opens, you can see several people leaving with more than twenty famous Mame Daifuku from Gunrindo. Just imagine how delicious the Mame Daifuku mochi sold here must be. Hence, this place comes highly recommended by many tourists.

At Gunrindo, Daifuku mochi is made using a distinctive traditional method. Their Mame Daifuku boasts a fairly large size, allowing you to still feel its warmth when purchasing and holding it. It consists of plenty of slightly salty green peas and red bean paste that isn't overly sweet. It's suitable for those who enjoy mochi with a milder flavor. The combination of the sweetness of tsubu-an (red bean paste with partially crushed beans) and the slight saltiness of the green peas in the soft mochi results in a perfect harmony of flavors. This Daifuku mochi is so delicious that just one piece won't be enough, and you'll surely want more and more.

Like most other Daifuku mochi, Gunrindo also has an expiration date of just one day. So, when the Daifuku mochi stock runs out, they will close the shop and prepare for the next day. So, the daifuku here is always fresh.

If you want to taste the special Ichigo Daifuku mochi, then the best choice in Tokyo is Ginza Akebono. Here, besides Ichigo Daifuku, you can also enjoy classic anko daifuku and other variants such as yomogi daifuku and ume daifuku. The extensive range of flavors and their quality are unquestionable, super delicious!

When spring arrives, don't miss the opportunity to buy their famous Ichigo Daifuku. Whole strawberries surrounded by azuki (red bean paste) and wrapped in soft mochi are truly appetizing. In addition to Ichigo Daifuku, what makes Ginza Akebono special is the sakura daifuku mochi. Its unique sakura flavor, with a combination of sweetness and saltiness, and its soft texture in the mouth, make it a perfect choice. It melts softly like melting snow.

There's not much to say because all the products in this shop are truly outstanding. The taste is delicious, the presentation is beautiful, and the dough quality is perfect, made with the best ingredients, so the price is slightly higher compared to other shops. However, despite the slightly higher price, I highly recommend buying a package containing various types of daifuku mochi because there are many interesting seasonal flavors worth trying. Try and experience the taste of daifuku that you can't find elsewhere.

When visiting Nakamise shopping street, don't miss out on trying Daifuku Ginkado Asakusa, a Daifuku mochi shop that offers various delicious strawberry Daifuku variants.

Although Ginkado Asakusa is a newcomer to Nakamise, it has quickly become one of my favorites. Initially, this shop sold souvenirs, but later transitioned to selling delicious Daifuku. Traditional Daifuku is typically filled with anko, a red bean paste that is very popular among Japanese people, though not as much among tourists. However, at Ginkado Asakusa, they offer Daifuku in various flavors, including chocolate, custard cream, or matcha. One that I highly recommend is the white strawberry Daifuku, with soft, chewy mochi and sweet strawberries, creating a perfect flavor combination. However, many people's favorites are custard cream and chocolate.

If you're not particularly fond of Daifuku, this shop also offers some skewered fruits. The fruits are fresh and sweet, so they are worth a try. The price of Daifuku mochi here ranges from 400 to 700 yen. To avoid long queues, it's recommended to come early. The large and sweet strawberries, along with the soft and chewy mochi, make this shop a must-visit for mochi lovers. I always remember the taste of buying and eating Daifuku mochi here.

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