Interest

Enjoy Traditional Japanese Sweets with Madoka Magica Packaging

Shougoin Yatsuhashi Souhonten, a yatsuhashi bakery in Kyoto dating back to the 1600s, has turned to anime tie-ins lately to help expand its customer base. They have recently turned to Madoka and Homura of Puella Magi Madoka Magica to sell its raw yatsuhashi (a traditional Japanese treat of sticky rice dough and bean paste strongly associated with Kyoto) and brownies. To herald the onset of spring and cherry blossom season, Shougoin will offer cherry-flavored yatsuhashi with Mami packaging.

In addition, Shougoin will sell iyokan-flavored brownies with Mami packaging. (Iyokan are Japanese orange-like citrus fruits.)

As these are seasonal goods, they will only stay on sale until the end of April, although for residents of Tokyo, yatsuhashi lovers can pick up the goodies at this month's AnimeJapan2014, where they will be on sale at the xarts Japan booth in East 2 Hall. The cherry yatsuhashi are sold ten to a box for 600 yen ($5.90) plus tax, while the iyokan brownies are sold 12 to a box for 700 yen ($6.90) plus tax.

Black sesame-flavored yatsuhashi


Yatsuhashi

[Via Animate.tv; Images from Karasuma Keizai Shinbun, Tarowy-no Nikkichou and Shougoin Yatsuhashi Souhonten]