A Jewel Box of Japanese Sweets: Yushima Kagetsu’s Karinto Weaving Tradition and Innovation
Yushima’s Hidden Gem: The Allure of Yushima Kagetsu
Tucked away in Yushima, a short distance from the tourist-filled Ueno Park, lies Yushima Kagetsu, a traditional karinto specialty shop. This Tokyo wagashi treasure is nestled between apartment buildings down a narrow side street off the main road, so be careful not to miss it.
As you open the shop door, the bustling outside world fades away. You’re transported into the realm of a long-established Japanese sweets shop, almost as if you’ve stumbled into a parallel world.
The shop’s walls are adorned with various types of karinto and colorful containers, captivating visitors’ eyes. The shop’s signature product, “Hitoe,” (what is hitoe in Japanese) particularly stands out with its packaging designed to resemble a beautiful kimono, making it almost too exquisite to eat.
A Sweet Tradition Since Showa: The History of Yushima Kagetsu
The history of Yushima Kagetsu dates back to the early Showa era (1920s). It started as a small dagashi (cheap sweets) shop in the stylish and refined area of Yushima, Tokyo.
Unlike typical karinto made with brown sugar, Yushima Kagetsu’s karinto uses white sugar boiled down to candy, which is then coated onto the dough. The result resembles jewels. When you bite into it, you experience a unique texture – crispy on the outside and crunchy on the inside – that’s distinctively Yushima Kagetsu.
In its early days, the Yushima area was home to many traditional Japanese restaurants with beautiful geisha. Yushima Kagetsu’s karinto was a popular gift even then, a tradition that continues to this day, loved by many.
Japanese Sweets as Art: Yushima Kagetsu’s Karinto
Yushima Kagetsu’s masterpiece, the “Karinto Round Can (White Karinto),” is truly a work of art in the world of Japanese sweets.
Product details:
- Content: 90g of karinto × 2
- Best before: 2 months from production
- Storage: Keep in a cool place, away from high temperature, humidity, and direct sunlight
- Size: 100mm × 185mm × 100mm
- Total weight: About 450g
- Price: 2,322 yen
This white karinto has captivated many fans with its beautiful sheen and delicate flavor. The packaging is equally beautiful, making it an excellent souvenir representing Tokyo wagashi.
A Blissful Bite to Savor with All Senses: The Taste of Karinto
The first thing that strikes you about Yushima Kagetsu’s karinto is its beautiful gloss. The candy coating isn’t too thick, creating an exquisite contrast between the crispy surface texture when you bite into it and the crunchy texture inside. This is possible only because skilled artisans carefully finish each piece by hand.
The refined sweetness is drawn out by using high-quality white sugar. While some might imagine karinto to be overly sweet, Yushima Kagetsu’s karinto has a dignified sweetness that makes you want to eat one after another.
Karinto is a very simple Japanese sweet made by deep-frying wheat flour sticks and coating them with candy made from boiled-down sugar. However, due to this simplicity, the quality of ingredients and the artisan’s skill are clearly reflected in this profound confection. Yushima Kagetsu’s karinto, made by skilled craftsmen using carefully selected ingredients, can truly be called the ultimate karinto.
Ueno’s Hidden Spot: Accessing Yushima Kagetsu
Here’s how to get to Yushima Kagetsu:
- JR Okachimachi Station: 5-minute walk / Ueno Station: 10-minute walk
- Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Ueno-hirokoji Station: 3-minute walk
- Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Yushima Station: 3-minute walk
When you’re in Ueno, make sure to visit and savor the taste for yourself. A world of traditional Japanese sweets, simple yet profound, awaits you. Yushima Kagetsu’s karinto offers more than just a snack – it’s an experience of Tokyo wagashi culture.