Hachi no Ji by Kakuzen Kuwanaya

This long-time local favorite snack of Shizuoka is shaped like a figure eight (hachi). The simple ingredients are flour, sugar and eggs, baked with a crispy texture and nice aroma.

Celebrating its 100th year of establishment, Kakuzen Kuwanaya is a Japanese confectionery company operating this business since the Meiji era. After the war (World War II), they officially took over the production of old-style cookies called "megane (eye glasses)" at that time and made some improvements to create "Hachi no Ji." They were sold in 18-liter cans until around 1965. You can imagine how popular it was then.
Hachi no Ji went on with several more improvements, and in 2019, it received the Shizuoka Aoi Premium AWARD selected by Shizuoka citizens.

The popularity of Hachi no Ji comes from its light taste. When Hachi no Ji is placed in the mouth and becomes moistened, it melts with a gentle sweetness. It goes very well with coffee, tea, and milk. It is hard to stop eating one after another.

In addition to the plain taste, there are strawberry and hojicha flavors. The cookie types are flavored with honey or aged green tea, as Shizuoka is the best tea-producing region. The Hachi no Ji is very popular as souvenirs because eight (hachi) is considered to be an auspicious character with unlimited luck and success.