From famous shops to specialty stores ♡ A feature on "Cute Looking Monaka" that even those who aren't fans of monaka will find interesting!

This appearance is truly heartwarming ♡

Do you like monaka, everyone?

I absolutely love sweets, especially those made with fruits, butter, or fresh cream. However, I often prefer to eat Western sweets rather than traditional Japanese sweets like monaka that mainly use red bean paste, so I haven't had much of a connection with them...

But I was surprised to see how amazing monaka has become recently.

They come in shapes like hamsters, beckoning cats, ghosts, and owls! 👻 The designs have evolved so much that I was stunned by their cuteness. I thought, "If it's like this, I'd love to buy them as gifts or prepare them for friends when they come over!"

In this article, I will feature monaka with standout designs, from new creations to traditional Japanese styles.

You are sure to be shocked and say, "I had no idea there were such cute monaka!"

❶ Hamster Monaka from Aoki Kouetsu-do

Hamster monaka from "Aoki Kouetsu-do," a 130-year-old confectionery shop in Kyoto 🐹

Its adorable rounded hamster form and beady eyes make it so cute that you might hesitate to eat it.♡

✅ Monaka shell

✅ Red bean paste

✅ Items the hamster can hold (like almonds or koma candy)

These three components come together, allowing you to fill the monaka with red bean paste and have the hamster hold an item to finish it off! ♡

Variants include: chunky red bean paste with almonds,

matcha paste with koma candy,

auspicious red-and-white hamsters with chunky red bean paste and plum rakugan,

chocolate paste with heart chocolate,

Additionally, there are seasonal flavors, such as cherry paste & chunky red bean paste for spring, and chestnut paste for autumn 🌸🌰

Prices start at 860 yen for two and 2,000 yen for six, and the packaging itself is adorable.

They make perfect cute monaka gifts for weddings or as souvenirs. 🤍

You can even serve them atop cakes or parfaits during guest visits, which is sure to delight! *

You can purchase them at their store in Kyoto or online. ✨

➡ Here is the official online shop 🐹

❷ FUKU+RE's Owl Florentine and Ghost Florentine

FUKU+RE, specializing in the local Kagoshima sweets "fukure," offers owl florentine and ghost florentine 🦉👻

The owl florentine comes in two flavors: mugwort and cocoa.

The mugwort variant features mugwort-flavored monaka skin filled with caramelized almond and buttery sable, creating a Japanese-style florentine.

The cocoa version has cocoa-flavored monaka skin filled with chocolate sable and almond, making it a sweet treat. 🍫

During Halloween, they also offer a ghost florentine 🌕👻

Inside the ghost is a café mocha-flavored florentine! ♡

The owl florentine is available in packs of three for 1,080 yen and eight for 2,484 yen.

You can find them at their store located about a 10-minute drive from Kagoshima Chuo Station or on their online shop. While the selection is limited, they also have items at Roppongi Hills "g KEYAKIZAKA," Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro's snack table, and Yokohama Takashimaya's selected period confections. *

➡ Here is FUKU+RE's online shop ♡

❸ Goso Monaka Honpo's Goso Monaka

"Goso Monaka Honpo" has been creating sweets modeled after Himeji Castle for over 60 years.

They aimed to create a confection worthy of Himeji Castle in commemoration of the castle's restoration works in 1956, which led to the meticulous creation of the "Goso Monaka."

Comparing the details, it's astonishing how intricate monaka can be... As someone living in Japan, I felt the urge to try it at least once.

Inside, it features a mildly sweet chunky red bean paste with chopped chestnuts. ♡

There is also a product called "Castle Florentine," which has florentine inside the monaka!

Prices are 980 yen for five and 2,280 yen for twelve.

You can buy them at their main factory located a five-minute drive from Himeji Castle or at the souvenir shop inside Piore Himeji, as well as from their online shop. *

➡ Here is Goso Monaka Honpo's online shop *

❹ Okashi-shi Shirakaba's Tarafuku Monaka

"Okashi-shi Shirakaba" has been a traditional Japanese sweet shop in Kinshicho for over 70 years, offering Tarafuku Monaka 🐱

The plump, sleeping beckoning cat design is incredibly adorable, isn't it? ♡

Inside, you'll find "Shiroi Daiya," which refers to the white adzuki beans from Hokkaido. 💎🤍

They offer event-exclusive flavors such as Uji Kintoki,

and auspicious red-and-white Tarafuku Monaka as well. 🤍❤️

Priced at 3,250 yen for twelve, you can order them online through Fujingaho or at their main store in Kinshicho, Kinshicho Termina, or Ecute Nippori. *

➡ Here is the ordering page for Tarafuku Monaka through Fujingaho ♡

❺ Ganso Yoshinoya's Saga Ebisu Monaka

"Ganso Yoshinoya," a long-standing confectionery shop in Saga with 140 years of history, offers Saga Ebisu Monaka.

Saga has had a long history of Ebisu worship, with many statues of Ebisu placed all over the town! (There are over 800 statues just in Saga City, recognized as the most in Japan! *)

Saga Ebisu Monaka was born as a souvenir of this region. *

The round and plump shape features a happily smiling Ebisu, spreading joy to anyone who picks it up. ♡

The monaka and the paste are packaged separately, allowing you to enjoy a crunchy texture without the skin becoming soft. *

Prices start from 745 yen for two and 3,180 yen for eight.

You can buy them at their Saga store or the online shop. ♡

➡ Here is Ganso Yoshinoya's online shop *

❻ Azabu Vegetable Confectionery's Vegetable Monaka

"Azabu Vegetable Confectionery" is based in Azabu Juban and specializes in "slightly luxurious sweets made from vegetables." Their Vegetable Monaka is a notable sweet.

It's a unique Western-style monaka made from vegetable filling based on white bean paste, mixed with fresh cream as a hidden flavor. ♡

It has slices of sweet potato, black sesame with kinome leaves, and lotus root grilled on top, offering a delightful crunchy vegetable texture. *

Prices are 2,257 yen for six and 4,514 yen for twelve.

Available at their store in Azabu Juban and their online shop. *

➡ Here is Azabu Vegetable Confectionery's online shop ♡

❼ GODIVA's Monaka O Chocolat

Did you know that the Belgian royal chocolatier "GODIVA" also sells monaka!?

They have a product called "Monaka O Chocolat," which consists of two varieties: dark chocolate adzuki bean paste and milk chocolate white bean paste. 🍫

Originally a limited-time offering in 2023, it will also be released in a limited edition in 2024 due to its popularity!

The sales period for 2024 is from August 21 (Wednesday) to January 9, 2025 (Thursday). *

Prices are 2,538 yen for four and 4,698 yen for eight.

Available at GODIVA stores or their official Rakuten shop. ♡

➡ Here's GODIVA's official Rakuten shop ♡

❽ Toyota Ryoguchiya's Kuruma Ichiban

At the "Ryoguchiya," a Japanese sweet shop in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, there’s a monaka shaped like the AB type Phaeton from Toyota! ♡

There are two kinds: adzuki bean paste and yuzu bean paste. 🚘

➡ Here is Toyota Ryoguchiya's HP *

❾ Matsuya Confectionery's Chestnut Monaka

"Matsuya Confectionery," located in Hamatonbetsu Town, Esashi District, Hokkaido, offers a Chestnut Monaka. 🌰

It’s a cute monaka shaped like a pine cone! ♡

Filled with homemade chestnut paste to the brim. ♡

❿ Matsuya's Akebono Crane

"Matsuya," located in Akanko Town, Kushiro City, Hokkaido, offers Akebono Crane (Tanchou, or red-crowned cranes).

Inspired by the posture of a Tanchou spreading its wings, it contains mildly sweet chunky red bean paste and a large mochi. ♡

Prices are 1,026 yen for five and 1,944 yen for ten. *

You can purchase them at their main store in Akanko or at Co-op Sapporo Hoshiura and Co-op Sapporo Chuo, both also in Kushiro. *

➡ Here is Matsuya's HP *

Monaka as souvenirs ♡

We introduced various cute and delicious monaka shaped like cats, hamsters, owls, ghosts, cars, and Ebisu! 🐱🐹🦉👻🚘

When you give them, people are sure to be delighted, saying "Cute!" and "Amazing~~!" So consider these as gifts or wedding favors! ♡

➡ Here is the list of articles about gifts ♡