Amanoya: A Traditional Amazake Shop in Kanda-Sudacho
Nestled right next to the Kanda Shrine Torii gate, Amanoya has been a long-established amazake shop since its founding in 1846. As we step inside, we are immediately greeted by the store's well-decorated interior, complete with antique clocks, lamps, and tableware that gives it a retro atmosphere. The staff welcomes us warmly, inviting us to take any of the available seats.
The store is filled with an assortment of packaged goods, including amazake, natto, and miso made with Amanoya's koji. Koji is an indispensable ingredient in making miso, soy sauce, and sake, and the store takes great care to produce high-quality koji in its basement koji room, where the temperature and humidity are kept constant. This attention to detail results in very good, fluffy koji that is essential for creating these traditional Japanese products.
As we explore the store, we notice a lovely garden inside, which adds to the warm and inviting atmosphere. The old store was unfortunately destroyed during World War II, but this current version has been rebuilt and continues to thrive. We are offered the choice of hot or cold amazake, as well as the option to try a combination with kuzumochi.
I had originally come to Amanoya looking for something to eat, so I decided to order the shaved ice, which is only available during the summer. The staff recommended the ice amazake, and I opted to also try the shaved ice, which was only available because it was a special treat since my visit coincided with the warmer months. As we wait for our orders, we are treated to an old photo taken in 1884 (Meiji 17), which adds to the nostalgic charm of the store.
Before long, our orders arrive, and I am presented with a generous bowl of ice amazake filled with fluffy, creamy goodness. The staff recommends mixing it with shaved ice on top, and we do just that. As we take our first sips, we are struck by the natural sweetness of the amazake alone, which is not overly sweet like some other desserts. Amanoya's amazake is made from rice and koji without any added sugar or additives, making it a healthy and refreshing treat.
One of the things that impresses me most about Amanoya is its commitment to using only the finest ingredients. The store staff assures us that their amazake contains no alcohol, making it safe for children and adults alike. I can see why this traditional Japanese sweet drink has gained popularity all year round due to health consciousness.
As we enjoy our ice amazake, I take a moment to appreciate the unique atmosphere of Amanoya. Even if you're not a fan of amazake, the store's old-fashioned charm and warm hospitality make it worth visiting. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and they take great pride in their products.
As we finish our dessert, I reflect on my experience at Amanoya. This long-established confectionery shop has been in business for over 70 years, and its building is almost 100 years old. The person who judges sumo matches is called Gyoji, a title that adds to the store's rich history and cultural significance.
Before I leave, I take a moment to appreciate the surrounding area. Amanoya is located near Shonosuke, another well-established Japanese confectionery shop in Kanda-Sudacho. If you're visiting the neighborhood, it would be worth stopping by both shops to experience their unique atmospheres and products. As I depart Amanoya, I feel refreshed and invigorated after enjoying a delicious bowl of ice amazake.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enThis is a long-established amazake shop founded in 1846,located right next to the Kanda Shrine Torii gate.This is Amanoya.I have something I want to eat, so I am going in.Amazake is a traditional Japanese sweet drinkmade from rice koji (a type of edible fungus) and rice,and was drunk as a nutritional supplementespecially in summer during the Edo period.Today, it is popular all year rounddue to health consciousness.As soon as you enter the store,you'll find packaged amazake,natto (fermented soybeans),and miso made with Amanoya's koji.Koji is an indispensable ingredient formaking miso, soy sauce, and sake,and the koji room in the basement, wherethe temperature and humidity are kept constant,produces very good, fluffy koji.Hi, welcome.Hello.The store is well decorated with antiqueclocks, lamps, and tableware,giving it a retro atmosphere.May I sit here?You can take any of the available seats.I see.Wow. The garden is lovely.The inside garden.The old store burned down during World War II,so this was rebuilt after the war.You can choose hot or cold amazake.The combination of the amazakeand kuzumochi looks good too.What I wanted to try this time was the shaved ice,which is only available during the summer.Since I came here, I'll order the ice amazake,amazake shaved ice!This old photo was taken in 1884 (Meiji 17).It is nice to have amazakein such an old-fashioned atmosphere.With this atmosphere, I don't mind waiting.Here comes the big shaved ice!Amanoya's amazake is made from rice and kojiwithout any sugar or additives.It contains no alcohol,so it is safe for children.It has the natural sweetness of amazake alone,and it is not overly sweetlike shaved ice with lots of syrup.The store staff said that the bowl isfilled with amazake generouslyso mix it with the ice on top and enjoy it.Even if you don't like amazake, it is worth a try.The amazake shaved ice was very deliciouswith a gentle, natural sweetness.My body felt refreshed after eating the cold dessert.If you are visiting nearby, please stop by.I am here at Shonosuke, a Japaneseconfectionery store in Kanda-Sudacho.I would like to have a little breakfor something sweet.It is a long-established confectionery shopthat has been in business for over 70 years.They told me that the building is almost 100 years old.The person who judges sumo matches is called Gyoji,and \"Kimura Shonosuke\" is the highest rank of gyoji.After the retirement of the 22nd Shonosuke,\"Shonosuke-Monaka\" in the shape ofan uchiwa fan was soldand it became very popular.The uchiwa-shaped Monaka isin the shape of a gyoji's Gunbai,which is raised by the gyojiwhen a sumo match is decided.Welcome.Excuse me, but please allow me to take a video.This is Shonosuke-Monaka.One for this.And Fu-Manju.One piece, OK?Yes, one piece.And sesame...This is Sesame Daifuku.Give me one sesame daifuku.Hai.Kintsuba also looks delicious.Give me one Kintsuba too.That's all.I was so curious about the different types of confectionerythat I ended up buying four of them.This is Awaji Park.It's a beautiful park with lots ofgreenery in the office district.There are benches and tables,and there is docomo bike share.Let's use it next time.I'm going to take a rest here.They all look delicious.Uchiwa-shaped Shonosuke-Monaka,the shop's signature confectionery.Sesame Daifuku.Kintsuba.This is Fu-Manju.Shonosuke-Monaka has a crispy wrapperfilled with sweet red bean paste generously.It is fun to enjoy Japanese sweets alonewith an umbrella in the rain.The high-quality red bean paste is deliciously kneaded.It is a perfect match with the surrounding wrapper!The Sesame Daifuku is wrapped with soft mochi doughthat contains aromatic white sesame.The aroma of the sesame is so nice, and the sweet bean pasteand the mochi are both extremely delicious.I am so happy to have foundthis delicious sesame daifuku.Fu-Manju was wrapped in a bamboo leaf.The sweet bean paste is very soft.The wrapper made of Nama-Fu (steamed gluten)is soft and stretchy.I've never had such a moist and silky Koshi-An(bean paste without bean skins) before.Smooth and delicious!Kintsuba is usually square in shape,but this one looks elegant and delicious.I was impressed by the different firmness and sweetnessof the sweet bean paste in each of the four,and I could tell that each one was carefully crafted.I tasted all four, and they were all delicious.I think this is amazing.The staff at the store is very nice,and I highly recommend this confectionery shop.\n"
