Amid the high-end boutiques and restaurants found along the classy streets of Motomachi, you’ll be surprised to learn that there is only a single place selling wagashi (Japanese sweets). Kouro-an, a staple in the neighborhood since 2004, sells some artistically crafted sweets that make for excellent gifts. Executive Director and Hamakko Masaya Saito tells us that the family-run business also goes to great lengths to make its attractive products distinctly representative of Yokohama.
Company president Tomoya Saito, Masaya’s brother, spent ten years honing his skills in the confectionery world prior to the Saito family opening the store. The name derives from their father’s long-time hobby of making original kouro (earthenware incense burners), which can be found on display throughout the premises. The first floor of the building houses a retail shop. Through a window behind the counter, you can view sweets being made. Much of what is sold is made on-site. The shop’s most popular item, Kokutou-Dorayaki (red bean cakes made with brown sugar, ¥180 ea), is made fresh daily here. Another treat that makes for a great souvenir is Hana Motomachi, colorful, round wafers filled with six different types of original flavored anko (red bean paste) (6pc ¥900/ 12pc ¥1800). They have been designed to resemble the round buoys commonly seen around the port. Kouro-an has made a concerted effort to create wagashi for events, too. To that end, this month you can purchase special chocolate-infused Valentine’s sweets (¥500~). Packaging for everything is eye-catching.
The building’s second floor is occupied by Saryo, the company’s tea room. It serves traditional sweets and light Japanese meals–many seasonally influenced. Anmistu (¥1100~), a dessert consisting of jelly cubes, anko, and fruit, is a main focus. When we visited, the rotating food menu featured a colorful udon dish (¥1210) and a traditional seasonal set meal with dessert (¥1650). Everything at Kouro-an and Saryo is beautifully presented and destined to be social media gems.
