![marry[マリー]](https://imgs.marry-xoxo.com/assets/marry_logo-e3a503203d635925f956631f4df079fe97f587ed360274455ead4fe26052b631.png){kind=logo}
結婚式DIY
ペーパーアイテム
通販
ウェディングアイテム
コラム
ウェディングケーキ
お金・節約
髪型・メイク
ドレス
和装
前撮り・ウェディングフォト
靴・アクセサリー
ブーケ
挙式
披露宴
ウェルカムスペース・装花
引き出物・ギフト
BGM・ムービー
二次会
ラブラブ結婚生活
プロポーズ
顔合わせ・結納
入籍
式場探し
ハネムーン
ネイルアート
指輪
美容
新郎
両家家族（親族）
ゲスト
韓国風
The Ultimate Traditional Gift: The Elusive "Kuya Monaka" That Can Only Be Bought with a Reservation
2021.02.13 published
Always seen in magazines as a go-to for secretaries.
【When visiting his home, Marry introduces a guaranteed hand gift＊】
When it comes to classic hand gifts, the king of them all is definitely Kyuya's monaka.
Although the cookie tin from Murakami Kaishindo is of course famous and top-notch, compared to products that cannot be purchased without an introduction, Kyuya's monaka is buyable if you make an effort, making it more realistic.
It is common knowledge that "you cannot buy it without a reservation," so when presented as a hand gift, the recipient will instantly think, "They went out of their way to prepare this for today."
That's why it has become a standard gift among secretaries. It's the perfect monaka for those special occasions.
It conveys the message, "You made a reservation just for me and went all the way to Ginza to buy this."
Where, how much, and how can you buy it?
Kyuya's monaka is located on Namiki Street in Ginza.
(It's next to the intersection where Namiki Street and Miyuki Street meet.)
This long-established wagashi shop has been around since the Meiji era and is famous for not having storefronts in stations, airports, or department basements.
They reportedly bake around 7,000 to 8,000 monaka a day, and they are sold out every day, making it difficult to buy without a reservation... hence it is called the "phantom monaka."
The shop always has a sign stating, "Monaka sold out."
This is a common scene in Ginza.
With a long history, and considering the Ginza location, there's a deep connection with the theater district.
The characteristic of Kyuya's monaka is that its surface is lightly charred. This was inspired by the 9th generation Ichikawa Danjuro (the great-grandfather of current Ebizo), who liked Kyuya's monaka and, when delivering it to the dressing room as usual, suggested, "The skin of the monaka is tastier when it’s charred, so try it," and roasted it right then and there with a fire bowl.
Natsume Soseki also loved Kyuya's monaka, which is famously referenced in "I Am a Cat."
(In "I Am a Cat," Kyuya's "Kyuya Mochi," sold only twice a year, also makes an appearance.)
With a shop that has been around for 170 years, it’s moving to think that you can eat the same thing as historical figures.
By the way, the reason Kyuya was established is that the first generation, who was a tatami mat maker entering Edo Castle, lost his job at the time of the Meiji Restoration and was encouraged by the owner of Eitaro Sohonpo, whom he was close with, to start a wagashi shop.
The first generation was a member of the Kanto Kuya group, a dancing Buddhist chanting union, which is why the shop is named "Kyuya." The shape of the monaka is modeled after the gourd-shaped instruments played during dance performances.
Despite being so famous, historically rich, and popular, the price is about 100 yen each. Even today, they are made without any additives.
If you buy more than ten, they will pack it in a decorative box.
If you buy more than thirty, they are available in a wooden box.
The beautifully arranged appearance is striking and dignified.
Each customer has their own stories, such as "The wooden box is elegant, but that person dislikes the smell of wood, so I'm having them packed in a decorative box," making it feel like a confectionery that symbolizes the important relationship between the giver and the recipient.
Store Information＊＊＊
Reservations can be made by phone or at the store.
Here's the phone number.
Here's the address.
6-7-19 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo
