【Shocking 'Edible' Sake】Okumikawa's Famous Sake 'Horaisen Besssen' Becomes a Japanese Sweet; Long-Established Confectionery Okamedo Launches Second 'Sake Manju' for Adults

'Is this really a Japanese sweet?'

During the trial production phase, such voices were heard repeatedly within the company.

'The aroma is exactly like sake.'
'The ginjo aroma spreads the moment you eat it.'
'It's like drinking sake.'

This 'overly ambitious Japanese sweet,' born from playfulness and surprise.

Its challenge has finally been commercialized.

Okamedo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture / Representative Director: Hikohiko Mori), a confectionery maker continuing its craft in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture for over 75 years, will launch its new product, 'Sake Manju Horaisen Besssen,' which uses the famous Okumikawa sake 'Horaisen Besssen.'

This product is the second installment in the 'Edible Sake' series, born from the buzz generated by the first product, 'Junmai Daiginjo Sake Manju Sora,' which used the popular brand 'Horaisen Sora' from Sekiya Brewery Co., Ltd.

This time, we used 'Horaisen Besssen,' a representative sake from Okumikawa.

We expressed its charm in the form of 'Japanese sweets.'

Online Shop: https://okamedo.jp/online-shop/

■ Using Sake and Sake Lees to the Limit for 'Eating Sake'

'Sake Manju Horaisen Besssen' generously uses 'Horaisen Besssen' sake and sake lees in both the dough and the filling.

After numerous repeated trials, we arrived at a ratio of approximately 20% of the total manju.

While the alcohol is evaporated during the heating process, we adopted a unique manufacturing method that retains the unique aroma and umami of Japanese sake to the utmost limit.

The ginjo aroma gently spreads the moment it enters your mouth.

It leaves a lingering aftertaste, just like the moment you take a sip of sake from a small cup.

'It's Japanese sweets, yet it's sake.'

This is a sake manju for adults that overturns such common sense.

■ What is Okumikawa's Famous Sake 'Horaisen Besssen'?

'Horaisen Besssen,' used this time, is a sake produced by Sekiya Brewery Co., Ltd., whose brewery is located in Shitara Town, Kitashitara District, Aichi Prefecture.

Brewed slowly and carefully at low temperatures, similar to ginjo sake, it achieves:

- A clean palate
- A rich umami
- A finish that doesn't become tiresome

It is loved by many sake fans as a well-balanced sake.

Okamedo aimed to reproduce this 'umami that doesn't become tiresome' in Japanese sweets.

■ Product Concept: 'Eating Sake.'

- 'Sake Anko' with Aroma as the Star

We use a specially made 'sake anko' (sweet bean paste) finished with our unique method.

The aroma of sake fills your mouth.

- Surprisingly Moist and Melts in Your Mouth

We meticulously adjusted the steaming time, humidity, and sake content.

We achieved a 'moist, melting texture' that is unlike traditional sake manju.

- A Sake Experience, Despite Being a Japanese Sweet

Our goal was not to create 'sake-flavored sweets.'

It's a new experience: 'eating sake.'

■ A Collaboration Born from Local 'Authenticity'

Sekiya Brewery is a long-established sake brewery that has supported the sake culture of Okumikawa.

Meanwhile, Okamedo has been making Japanese sweets rooted in the region for over 75 years.

What both companies shared was:

- A pursuit of authenticity
- Pride in their region
- A spirit of challenging while preserving tradition

These shared sentiments led to the new challenge of 'Japanese sweets that let you eat sake.'

■ Package Concept: 'Enjoying Six Cups of Sake'

The six-piece sake manju package is designed to evoke the image of 'a time to enjoy sake from six small cups.'

Inspired by the 'janome' (snake's eye) pattern, symbolizing sake culture, the design features a world of blue and white inspired by 'Horaisen Besssen.'

The 'sake experience' begins the moment you open the box.

[Art Direction & Design] Nilgiri Inc.

(Hikohiko Mori, Representative Director, Okamedo Co., Ltd.)

'The Japanese confectionery industry is currently at a major turning point.

That's why, as a long-established business, we wanted to create 'Japanese sweets that no one has ever seen before.'

'Horaisen Besssen' is a sake with a truly wonderful balance of aroma, umami, and drinkability.

We repeatedly experimented with our artisans to figure out how to express its charm in Japanese sweets.

What we've completed is truly an experience of 'eating sake.'

We want both sake lovers and Japanese sweet lovers to be surprised.'

■ Product Information

Product Name: Sake Manju Horaisen Besssen

Price: 1,580 yen (tax included)

Sales Locations: Okamedo direct stores, Toyohashi Station Kiosk, Roadside Stations, EC sites, etc.

Online Shop: https://okamedo.jp/online-shop/

■ Please Note

This product contains Japanese sake and sake lees.

While the alcohol is heat-treated, reactions may occur depending on individual constitution.

Please exercise caution if you are a child, pregnant or breastfeeding, sensitive to alcohol, or planning to drive.

■ About Okamedo

Okamedo Co., Ltd. is a long-established Japanese confectionery store in the Higashi-Mikawa region of Aichi Prefecture, with over 75 years of history.

Under the banner of 'Moving Japanese confectionery culture to the next era through challenge and innovation,'

we actively collaborate with local companies, sake breweries, farmers, and tourist facilities.

We have created numerous 'confectioneries only available here,' including the popular 'Black Thunder Anmaki' as a Toyohashi souvenir.

In recent years, we have been disseminating the 'new possibilities of Japanese confectionery' nationwide through social media, local events, and entertainment collaborations.