Hakuro by Mochiya is well known as one of the specialty sweets of Sakai Town in Ibaraki Prefecture.
It appears to be made by Mochiya, a traditional sweets shop located in Sakai. After doing a little research online, I had a feeling that this would be exactly the kind of wagashi I enjoy, so I decided to buy it.
I found it at Makuraga no Sato Koga, a roadside station in Ibaraki Prefecture.
The product was displayed in a prominent place inside the shop, accompanied by a sign saying that it had been featured on television and in magazines. Naturally, that made me even more curious.
Hakuro from the Mochiya Traditional Sweets Shop
A package of five costs ¥430.
The sweets come in a simple plastic case.
Nothing is printed on the outer package, but each Hakuro is wrapped in metallic silver, giving the contents an unexpectedly elegant presence.
Sometimes it is precisely this kind of plain, unassuming packaging that hides something truly delicious. It only raised my expectations further.
The best-before date is printed on the side. The package I bought was good for six days from the date of purchase.
There are only five ingredients. The absence of unnecessary additives also makes it seem pleasantly simple and wholesome.
Let’s open the box.
Each piece is softly wrapped in something resembling aluminum foil and a thin sheet of white paper.
Inside is a perfectly round, pure-white Hakuro.
White chocolate coats the yellow bean paste, yet even the cross-section looks almost completely white. It is very beautiful.
What did the famous Hakuro taste like?
Now, let’s try it.
As soon as it enters the mouth, the white bean paste crumbles delicately and the savory richness of the beans spreads with a smooth texture.
The white chocolate gives it a mellow finish and adds a satisfying depth.
Despite being a Japanese sweet, it is not overly sweet, so it is surprisingly easy to keep eating. Being able to enjoy one for less than ¥100 feels like a small luxury.
It pairs nicely with a strong, slightly bitter tea, but it was also extremely delicious with milk.
The combination worked so well that even people who normally choose tea may find themselves reaching for a glass of milk instead.
This is an elegant wagashi, making it an excellent souvenir or gift for adults.
Thank you for the meal!
When people think of Ibaraki Prefecture, Mito often comes to mind first, followed immediately by natto.
However, Hakuro shows that the prefecture still has many other delicious specialties waiting to be discovered.
I plan to keep hunting for more regional souvenirs.
For more souvenir information from Ibaraki Prefecture, see the page below.
Hakuro Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer
| Product Name | Hakuro |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Seller | Mochiya |
| Address | 600 Tsukazaki, Sakai-machi, Sashima-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture |
| Expiration Date | 6 days from the date of purchase |
| Place of Purchase | Michi-no-Eki Makuraga no Sato Koga |
| Price | ¥430 |
