SHIZUOKA CITY KANKO NAVI

"Abekawa Mochi," a traditional confection that represents Shizuoka City, is a historic sweet said to be the origin of kinako mochi found throughout Japan. It is characterized by its simple flavor—freshly pounded, soft mochi coated in sugar-flavored kinako (roasted soybean flour)—and today, it is common for shops to offer a set of two varieties: kinako and koshi-an (smooth red bean paste).

While it has long been cherished in the region centered around Shizuoka City, its timeless flavor is said to have gradually spread to distant regions through travelers passing along the Tokaido Road, evolving into unique local variations in different areas as its shape and name changed.

With its simple yet complex flavor, Abegawa Mochi continues to be loved across generations.

If you visit Shizuoka City, be sure to give it a try!

There are several theories regarding the origins of Abe River Mochi, but the best-known one is an anecdote involving Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Around the Keicho era, when Tokugawa Ieyasu inspected a gold mine upstream on the Abe River, a local man presented him with mochi dusted with kinako (roasted soybean flour). When asked how it was made, the man replied, “This is ‘Kinpō Mochi’ (Gold Dust Mochi), made by coating it with the gold dust flowing in the Abe River.” Impressed by his wit, Ieyasu is said to have renamed it “Abe River Mochi.”

Although it was a luxurious confection made with expensive white sugar at the time, its delicious taste made it popular among travelers passing along the Tōkaidō, and it gained a reputation as a special snack to soothe their fatigue. It was so widely loved that it even appeared in the late Edo period classic *Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige*.

The delicious taste, once praised by Lord Ieyasu, lives on today, and shops where you can savor authentic Abe River mochi are scattered throughout the city.

At long-established shops and tea houses, you can enjoy them fresh off the grill—their aroma and soft texture are truly exceptional!

Many shops are conveniently located near tourist spots, making them the perfect place to stop for a break during your travels.

In addition to Abe River Mochi, Shizuoka City is home to other charming traditional sweets rooted in the local culture.

In particular, “Oiwake Yokan” and “Usagi Mochi” have been beloved alongside Abe River Mochi as the “Three Great Specialties of Suruga” since the Edo period.

In addition to these, we’d also like to introduce “Yubi Manju,” a confection associated with Shimizu Jirocho, who made a name for himself as a legendary outlaw of Shimizu.

Oiwake Yokan, which gained popularity in the post town of Oiwake along the Tokaido Road, is a traditional flavor that has been preserved for over 300 years by the Oiwake Yokan Main Store, a long-established shop founded in 1695. It was enjoyed by feudal lords on their sankin-kotai pilgrimages and travelers alike, and it is said that Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the 15th shogun who lived in seclusion in Shizuoka, was particularly fond of it.

Wrapped in bamboo leaves, the yokan absorbs a subtle bamboo aroma during steaming, which complements the mildly sweet, chewy bean paste filling. Hand-wrapped and steamed by skilled artisans, this renowned confection preserves the same flavor that has remained unchanged since the Edo period.

Usagi Mochi is a traditional rice cake originating from Furusho in Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City. It features a thin layer of mochi wrapped around red bean paste and is characterized by its charming appearance, marked with a full moon stamp.

It is said that the name derives from a rabbit that was once kept next to a tea shop that sold mochi.

In the late Edo period, its reputation spread through a poem composed by the kyoka poet Ota Nanpo (also known as Shokusanin), and it became a favorite among travelers passing along the Tokaido Road.

Although it disappeared for a time, it was revived in 1994 by Shizuoka Isetan and Matsukiya, driven by a strong desire to “keep the tradition alive.”

These manju, associated with Shimizu Jirocho, are made by Funabashi-sha Orie, a shop founded in 1808.

The name originates from an anecdote in which Shimizu Jirocho—known as the greatest gang leader in the Tokaido region—appeared at the factory, squished the manju one after another with his fingers, declared them “unfit for sale,” took them away, and distributed them to children. To this day, that story remains the hallmark of this famous confection.

The product comes in two varieties: one with a smooth red bean paste filling pressed down in the center, and another with a miso bean paste filling pinched from the side, making it a unique manju that evokes a sense of history.

Shizuoka City is home to a wide variety of traditional sweets that embody the region’s history and culture, including Abe River Mochi, Oiwake Yokan, Usagi Mochi, and Yubi Manju.

Each offers a unique flavor unique to Shizuoka City that has been loved for generations, making them perfect as travel souvenirs or mementos of your trip.

When you visit Shizuoka City, be sure to try these sweet treats.

If you’d like to enjoy Shizuoka City even more, be sure to check out our “First-Time Visitors to Shizuoka City” feature! You can find all the sightseeing and dining information you need in one place.