Confectionery shop Omiya special Karinto Manju

Founded in 1950, Omiya is a long-established confectionery shop located in a residential area of Shimomuroda Town, Takasaki City, formerly Haruna Town. Their well-known Karinto Manju is said to be the hardest karinto manju in Japan, and is very popular among from locals and tourists.

The manju is made with brown sugar dough and red bean paste filling, deep-fried in oil to make it crispy and give it a great flavor and aroma. The crispy texture of the outer part goes very well with the modest sweet bean paste. The surface is hard, while the inside is moist and soft, experiencing two different textures at the same time.

In addition to the regular red bean paste type, another product “Karinto Manju (sesame)" (120 yen per piece) is made with a brown sugar bun mixed with white sesame seeds and filled with a black sesame bean paste. As both products are sold only in limited numbers, it is better to visit in the morning. Beside this main shop, their karinto manju is also available at the Takashimaya Kyoto Department store, and various online stores, too.