Koshiyama Kanseido “Kinjo-maki”

A long-selling product from a long-established confectionery shop founded in Kanazawa around 1888. Its distinctive triangular baked outer layer, inspired by castle keeps and samurai helmets, has a moist and tender texture. In the center is a branded stamp of the “Umebachi” crest, the family emblem of the Maeda clan of the Kaga domain, making it clear that this is a famous confection created with Kanazawa’s history and culture in mind.

The filling comes in two varieties, brown sugar bean paste and a seasonal bean paste, and while each is available on its own, a set containing both is especially popular. The seasonal filling changes through the year, with sweet-tart iyokan orange from February to May, refreshing lemon from May to September for the hot summer months, and crisp apple from September to February through fall and winter. The rich, refined sweetness of the brown sugar filling paired with the fresh fruit filling that reflects the four seasons is part of the appeal.

This accomplished sweet won the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Prize at the 25th National Confectionery Exposition and has become a classic favorite as a quintessential Kanazawa souvenir.