Ishikawaya Honpo "Kaichin"

It is a long-established Japanese confectionery with a history of more than 170 years, founded between 1830 and 1844 (Tempo era). The shop sells a wide range of handmade high-grade Japanese fresh confections and baked sweets made by artisans, including Kaichin, a popular souvenir.

Sparkling and shining like jewels, kaichin is an amber sugar made from special agar and sugar that is naturally dried. It is said that the colorful appearance is due to the fact that in old Kanazawa people used to call the tidbits "kaichin". One bite is crispy on the outside and jelly-like inside, giving the unique texture of kaichin.

A wide variety of cute-looking kaichins are available, from year-round items in the shape of flowers and birds to seasonal items with motifs of seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas. In addition, "Neko no Kaichin" (1,080 yen) with a cat motif is available only on the 22nd of every month, so be sure to check it out as well.

It is available at the Ishikawa-ya Honpo main store and at the Anto store in Kanazawa Hyakubangai at JR Kanazawa Station.