Saitama has several well-known souvenirs, including Soka rice crackers and Fukaya green onions. Gokabo is another long-selling product found throughout the prefecture.
The Magic Gokabo introduced here is part of the Gokabo range made by Gokabo Honpo Saitama Seika.
I found it in the souvenir shop at outbound Hanyu PA on the Tohoku Expressway. Wondering what made it “magic,” I bought a package.
Magic Gokabo (Gokabo Honpo Saitama Seika)
What exactly is gokabo? It is a confection made by combining glutinous rice, kinako soybean flour, and honey. It probably tastes just as you imagine from the photographs.
It is the kind of nostalgic flavor that almost everyone once bought at a small candy shop.
The name is written with the old, complex form of the character for treasure. The “go,” meaning five, comes from prayers for a rich harvest of the five grains, and the confection has a history of around 200 years.
Gokabo Honpo Saitama Seika is impressive too: the company has devoted itself exclusively to gokabo since 1962. That single-minded refinement gives the product the appearance and flavor of a true celebrated sweet.
As for the “magic,” it probably refers to a production method that prevents kinako—the usual weakness of gokabo—from spilling everywhere.
Even with that promise, I was a little nervous and did not open it inside the car.
I tried it immediately after returning home, and the kinako certainly spilled less than expected. Still, I would remain cautious in a car, especially with children riding along.
Under the cup lid, the sweets are sealed beneath an additional sheet.
Open it carefully, just in case.
This is what the cross-section looks like.
Matcha and cocoa versions apparently exist too, although Hanyu PA did not carry them.
I would like to buy them if I find them elsewhere.
For more souvenir information from Saitama Prefecture, check the article below!
Magic Gokabo Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer
| Product Name | Magic Gokabo |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Seller | Gokabo Honpo Saitama Seika |
| Address | 1744 Menuma, Kumagaya, Saitama |
| Expiration Date | Probably about 30 days (at least one month remained when purchased) |
| Place of Purchase | Hanyu PA (outbound) |
| Price | ¥361 |
