Developing a New Local Specialty Inspired by Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjuro

New Sensation Dessert

Ohakomochi

Local business operators eagerly attending the workshop

The Ichikawamisato Town Chamber of Commerce (Yamanashi Prefecture) has launched promotional activities and recruitment of local businesses to support the commercialization of "Ohakomochi," a new specialty dessert promoted by Ichikawamisato Town.

This project is based on the historical background of Ichikawamisato Town, which is recognized as the birthplace of the prestigious Kabuki actor family, Ichikawa Danjuro.

The project began when Ichikawa Danjuro visited the town and suggested, "It would be great to have a signature dessert representing this town." In response, Ichikawamisato Town planned the development of a new regional specialty. With the cooperation of chef Seiji Tsushimi, the new sensation dessert "Ohakomochi" was born.

In collaboration with the town, the Chamber of Commerce informed member businesses about the project details and recipe workshops. The workshop held on June 9 was attended by 13 local business operators, including Japanese and Western confectioners, cafes, restaurants, and sushi shops. The recipe was provided to the participants, who plan to customize it for their own unique products.

■ "Creating a business model for local operators" rather than just "Creating a new specialty"

One key feature of this initiative is that the town-developed recipe is open to local businesses, allowing each shop to use it for their own products.

Depending on their strengths, a Japanese confectionery shop can develop it as a Japanese sweet, a Western confectionery shop as a pastry, and a cafe as a dessert menu item, enabling diverse product development starting from the same recipe.

Small business operators face a challenging business environment, including rising raw materials and energy costs, and labor shortages.

In this environment, the goal is not simply to create a product, but to develop it into one that ensures profitability.

To this end, the Ichikawamisato Town Chamber of Commerce will support participating businesses through:

- Advising on appropriate pricing
- Supporting packaging development
- Assisting with sales channel expansion
- Supporting participation in exhibitions and business matchings
- Assisting with public relations

These measures aim to boost sales and secure profits after commercialization.

■ Preserving a famous chef's techniques in the region

At the workshop, chef Seiji Tsushimi shared not only the recipe but also essential techniques and know-how for product development, such as temperature control during production and selection of raw materials.

Questions from participating businesses focused on practical commercialization, such as:

"What is the best format for takeout sales?"
"What adjustments are needed to replicate the recipe with our store equipment?"
"What is the expected selling price?"

A major goal of this project is to absorb external expertise into the region and preserve the technology in a form that local businesses can utilize.

■ Nurturing the regional brand collectively

Ichikawamisato Town is a region with a long heritage of traditional industries such as Japanese paper (washi) and seals (insho).

"Ohakomochi" is designed not as a product of a single store, but as a new regional brand to be nurtured by the entire community.

With Ichikawamisato Town managing recipe development and business registration, and the Chamber of Commerce providing business support, the project is structured to address both "making" and "selling."

Through this project, the Ichikawamisato Town Chamber of Commerce aims to generate new revenue opportunities for local businesses and create new local appeal leveraging its heritage as the birthplace of Ichikawa Danjuro.

Products utilizing "Ohakomochi" are scheduled to be sold at individual stores sequentially starting August 7, 2026 (the launch date varies by store).

● Inquiries regarding the handling of Ohakomochi:
Ichikawamisato Town Government, Industrial Promotion Division TEL: 055-240-4157

● Inquiries regarding this press release:
Ichikawamisato Town Chamber of Commerce TEL: 055-272-4711