Whenever I have friends or relatives visiting Japan, they will always bring back a host of local delicacies, mainly snacks from Tokyo and Hokkaido. It is something which I always look forward to.
Now with the convenience of online shopping offered by stores such as Rakuten, we can enjoy goodies from Shizuoka as well! Anytime when we feel like it.
Shizuoka is a prefecture of Japan, known as the home of Mt. Fuji, Japan’s most famous mountain. It is also a confectionery treasure waiting to be discovered, boasting of artisanal products that are handmade with the finest ingredients.
Think French-inspired Japanese pastries, Japanese donuts and castella cakes like those from Un-Fleurys! Who can resist them? Without further ado, let me introduce you some of the must-try items from Shizuoka!
|Top-Selling Best Japanese Snacks & Tea From Shizuoka
|Bunmeido Honey Castella Cakes
Bunmeido Honey Castella Cakes
Bunmeido has been making castella cakes since 1900. A popular Japanese sponge cake made using just sugar, flour, eggs and starch syrup without any butter or other oil-based ingredients, this simple desert is timeless and well-loved by everyone. There’s even a Bunmeido café in Ginza, Tokyo where people make a beeline to savour these sponge cakes.
I can understand the cake's popularity after taking a bite into its soft, moist texture. The sweet taste of honey was very pleasing too.
|Bunmeido Honey Castella Cakes and Wakomi Tea
|Boxes of Snowball Cookies
Looking deceivingly like mochi, these pretty sugar-powdered spheres are actually cookies filled with crunchy walnuts! Its nutty aroma and subtle strawberry flavor was wonderfully addictive and perfect with a cup of tea!
Oimoya Sweet Potato Snacks
These dried sweet potato snacks are produced in the Ibaraki prefecture. Highly popular in Japan, people have to queue up to 3 hours at the department stores for them. It's a seasonal product so my advice would be to get it before it goes out of stock!
|Crunchy Snowball Cookies in Different Flavors
|Cake Shop Donuts
Cake Shop Donuts
These colorful donuts are baked, not fried! Knowing this made me feel less guilty and I even tried all the different flavors in one go! Love the moist and fluffy texture.
There's the Plain version as well as Strawberry, Green Tea, Apple and Chocolate flavors. My favorite is the chocolate which even comes with bites of chocolate chips inside.
|Individually Packed for Convenience
|Moist and Fluffy Donuts
The Yohkan is a Japanese traditional sweet of thick, jellied dessert made of red bean paste, agar, and sugar. Available in Original, Yuzu, Maccha Green Tea, Bitter Orange flavors, these treats are not just great on its own, but will also be great as toppings for pancakes or other desserts too. Best savored with tea.
The area Hamamatsu-shi, located in Western Shizuoka is ideal for the cultivation of mandarin oranges thanks to its mild climate and well-drained soil. More affectionately known as “Mikkabi Mikan”, this household name of orange juice is especially popular in Japan with its delicately sweet and sour taste that lingers on. With Chinese New Year around the corner, it’s the best time to have some of these bottles with you to impress your guests!
|Chocolate Donuts with Bits of Chocolate Chips Inside
Shizuoka is famous for green tea. Wakomi curate the very best tea products from Shizuoka, so if you're looking for quality, organic green tea, this would be the one to try.
I especially like the "Asa 朝" tea. With its rich taste, it is ideal for milk tea, the kind that help me wake up in the morning. Another one to try would be the "Yo 陽", which is a black tea with a subtle, refreshing sweetness.
For you who prefer more layers in flavors, do go for the tea blends. "Rei 麗" is an invigorating blend of green tea with mint and lemon, while "Sai 彩" offers a taste of black tea with lemon, tangerine, lemon grass and hibiscus.
Take Me to Scenic Shizuoka Contest Giveaway
I would love to visit Shizuoka some day, not just for the food, but also to experience the Japanese culture and history it has to offer.
Here's our chance to win a trip there! Rakuten is giving away two pairs of scenic vacation retreat worth $6000 to Shizuoka, Japan!
From now till 20th January 2016 (2359hr), simply make at least two orders from at least two different Shizuoka shops found at http://www.rakuten.com.sg/event/experience-japan/ to be eligible.
Find out more at: http://www.rakuten.com.sg/event/experience-japan/contest/
Discount Coupon Code
GOOD NEWS! Readers of PinkyPiggu get to enjoy $10 off using the discount coupon code below:-
- Coupon Code: PINKYSHIZUOKA
- $10 OFF with minimum $30 purchase
- Valid till 31/03/16.
- For all Shizuoka Products at www.rakuten.com.sg/event/experience-japan/
Happy shopping, eating, and good luck!
|Box Packaging of Cake Shop Donuts & Snowball Cookies
*This entry is brought to you in collaboration with Rakuten.