Shiose

Shiose Sohonke has a long history and is said to be the origin of Japan’s azuki bean-paste-filled manju. Its main store sits beside the Sumida River in Akashicho. The dignified interior includes a tea room, making it a place to take time over choosing Japanese sweets.

The signature Shihose manju is known for the firm texture of its Yamato-imo dough, balanced with the refined sweetness of smooth azuki bean paste. A longtime favourite with green tea and a well-regarded gift to take along, it can be enjoyed alongside Hon manju, whose extremely thin skin wraps around the filling, showcasing the smooth texture of the shop’s bean paste.

The display case holds a varied selection that goes well beyond manju. There are bean daifuku with a gentle sweetness and daifuku with a moist texture and a light saltiness, as well as classic dorayaki and yokan. Seasonal choices include sakura mochi and kashiwa mochi in spring, and kuri botan and persimmon daifuku in autumn, offering something different to choose with each visit. The range also includes charmingly designed Hello Kitty manju, Momoyama, and Kimi ga yo, with its notes of brown sugar and azuki, giving visitors options to suit different tastes and purposes.

Payment options include major credit cards and cashless services such as PayPay and Rakuten Pay. For everyday sweets to enjoy with tea or a thoughtful gift for someone important, Shiose Sohonke’s main store is a reliable place to take time choosing Japanese confections to bring home.