The long-established Japanese confectionery shop, Akafuku, has opened its only tea house in Kansai ～ Akafuku Isuzu Chaya.

▲Image source: Akafuku

"Akafuku mochi" is a traditional Japanese sweet with over 300 years of history that is known by every Japanese person. The first Akafuku Isuzu Chaya café has now opened in Osaka, where you can enjoy Akafuku mochi and other Japanese and Western desserts with Japanese tea. The shop is directly connected to Namba Station, a major transportation hub in Osaka, making it the perfect place to stop during a day of sightseeing
※ Each photo is for illustrative purposes only, and the actual contents may vary.

Let's take a look inside the shop!
■ Recommended menu ①・・・The classic flavor set: "Akafuku Mochi (two pieces) and Matcha", 800 yen (tax included).

　　"Akafuku Mochi" is a popular Japanese confection known for its smooth and soft texture. It is crafted to evoke the image of a babbling brook. This set includes matcha and aromatic hojicha, both made from organically grown tea leaves sourced from the region where Akafuku's flagship store is located. While the "Akafuku Mochi (2 pieces)" can certainly be enjoyed on their own, pairing them with matcha allows you to savor an even richer flavor.
　
■Recommended Menu ②・・・The Japanese Spirit Within Western Sweets: "Azuki Cornet with Wasanbon Cream and Drink Set" 800 yen

　The popular "Azuki Cornet" is a Western-style pastry that features Japanese ingredients. The crisp, fragrant cornet pastry is baked entirely in-store. Each one is filled by hand with refined wasanbon sugar cream and Hokkaido-grown red bean paste. For drinks, choose from coffee, azuki tea, hojicha, or a matcha latte. We especially recommend pairing it with azuki tea.

■ Recommended Menu ③・・・"Akafuku zenzai" 800 yen.

▲ Image source: Akafuku

　Starting this October, enjoy our seasonal, limited-time, warm, sweet treat, "Akafuku zenzai". Our zenzai uses large-grain Dainagon red beans that are carefully simmered to remove any bitterness and bring out the beans' natural texture and flavor. Inside, you'll find two fragrant mochi cakes, baked fresh to order for a rich aroma and texture.

■ Here's another souvenir・・・ The Matsusaka Cotton "Okage Dog" doll.

Pilgrimages to the Ise Shrine, known as "okage-mairi," became immensely popular among commoners in Japan. However, some people were unable to make the pilgrimage due to illness or other circumstances. So, dogs were sent to Ise in place of their owners. These dogs were called "okage-inu" as pilgrimage dogs, and were cherished as symbols of faith. They are also popular as lucky charms displayed in homes to bring blessings.
　
■ Message to Visitors to Japan
Ise City, home to Akafuku Mochi's flagship store, has long been known as a bustling town of pilgrims visiting the Ise Grand Shrine on the "Okage Pilgrimage." To give you a sense of Ise's atmosphere, the shop has monitors displaying scenes from that era. The shop also offers a variety of Japanese sweets, including premium manju that changes monthly and seasonal, limited-edition daifuku, so visitors can enjoy different flavors each time they visit. This variety is one of the charms of "Akafuku Isuzu Chaya."

■ Location of the shop
　Takashimaya Osaka Store, B1F West Zone 5-1-5 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka City