Nichigetsu-Monaka Sohonpo Kawamuraya
This confectionery has been producing its Nichigetsu-Monaka sweets since its establishment in 1916. Otebo beans from Hokkaido are cooked low and slow with high-quality sugar to make glossy white bean paste, and filled in a crisp wafer made from sticky rice.
The unique wafer will never break into pieces when you hold it or bite it.
The confectionery continuously strives to break the mold and set new standards for monaka.
The word “Nichigetsu” printed on the surface of the wafers comes from the flag of Asuke Shigenori, who participated in an anti-shogunate movement lead by Emperor Go-Daigo during the Genko Rebellion in 1331, and also fought as a commander in the Battle of Kasagiyama.
The monaka has been a well-loved local specialty of Asuke for over a hundred years.
Basic Information
| Address | 〒444-2424 22 Tamachi, Asuke-cho, Toyota City |
|---|---|
| Cost | • Nichigetsu-Monaka: 108 JPY • Geppei-Monaka: 155 JPY • Dango with black sesame and roasted soybean flour: 200 JPY • Nichigetsu-Monaka with freshly made Dainagon bean paste: 140 JPY |
| Business hours | 8:30-19:00 |
| Phone number | 0565-62-0014 |
| Parking | Unavailable * If using the Asuke Chuo Parking Lot, be granted a voucher for free parking (void during November and February). |
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Volume purchases | Nichigetsu-Monaka also available in packs of pairs, 5 units, 10 units, 15 units, 20 units, and other quantities up to 60 units (reservations required). |
| Retailers | • Kitamachi Kawamuraya (3-66 Kitamachi, Toyotas City) • Okazaki Civico B1F inside Supika (2-20-2 Koseidori-nishi, Okazaki City) • Honokuni Mall B1F "Ai-Ka-Sen Corner" 2-10 Ekimaeodori, Toyota City) • Pipitto! Aichi (Aichi Goods Antenna Shop) (Oasis 21, 1-11-1 Higashi-Sakura, Higashi-Ward, Nagoya City) |
| Related links | Nichigetsu-Monaka Sohonpo Kawamuraya page at the WE LOVE TOYOTA Marché Website (Japanese) |
Area Information
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Izukame
Asuke-Area
The Asuke region in Toyota is known for Korankei Gorge, a spot famous for its autumn foliage. Izukame was established in 1887 in Tamachi—the heart of Asuke. It is especially popular for celebrations and family nights out. The restaurant is a three-story building with traditional, Japanese-style elements and offers dishes featuring wild game like boar from the Asuke area. Each private room is beautifully decorated, and the building also has a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 90 people. A great place for meals, meetings, banquets, and other occasions.
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Kura-no-Naka Gallery Manrin Bookshop & Café
Asuke-Area
Along the Old Road of Asuke, a once busy Shio-no-Michi route - as vital backbone trading roads were called - sits this peculiar bookstore, built with special attention for preserving the charming aspect of the olden times. Merging bookshop with gallery and café, it sits in the corner formed by the main road and the adjacent Manrin Alley, joining other buildings in the townscape that feature the beautiful contrasting plaster and black wooden walls. Among the books available, the shop keeps titles about urban development and nature in particular. Look for the special one published privately by the shop to promote the Asuke area, Asuke-no-Mukashibanashi. At the gallery in the back, exhibitions are held each season throughout the year, and at the café you can enjoy delicious coffee and homemade pastry. *: Kura-no-Naka means "inside the warehouse", which tells the original purpose of the structure housing it.
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Okashitsukasa Fuugai
Asuke-Area
Customers love our “Tankororin”! These sweets are shaped like the tankororin lanterns that light the old streets of Asuke in the summer. Inspired by the soft yellow light of the lanterns on a summer night, the sweet snack is made of coffee-flavored warabi-mochi filled with custard. They look just like the real lanterns! It's the perfect souvenir to remind you of the fun time you had strolling through Asuke. The shop also contains a gallery and a space where you can rest and enjoy tea and snacks.
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Korankei Ichinotani
Asuke-Area
Founded in 1965 years ago, this restaurant deep inside Korankei Gorge serves traditional Japanese cooking. Its specialty is hot pot made with wild game—boar, bear, pheasant, and more—and their secret red miso broth. This wild game hot pot is served from autumn to spring.
Recommended Spots
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FUKU JU EN
Toyota-Area
FUKU JU EN is a Japanese sweets store established in 1970. The store sells seasonal confections made with dedication to the best texture and flavor, using only the finest ingredients.
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Tokuhon Manju Honpo
Matsudaira-Area
Founded in 1946. This shop was named after Tokuhon Shonin—a Buddhist priest in the mid-Edo period who devoted himself to his practice—in honor of his achievements. The shop has been dedicated to baked manju buns since its founding. In terms of variety, the shop keeps it simple—just sweet, tasty manju, with a select few fillings. In addition to sweet white bean, there’s matcha, yuzu, and chestnut (available only when chestnuts are in season). The little buns are loved not only by Toyota locals, but also by travelers!
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Okashitsukasa Fuugai
Asuke-Area
Customers love our “Tankororin”! These sweets are shaped like the tankororin lanterns that light the old streets of Asuke in the summer. Inspired by the soft yellow light of the lanterns on a summer night, the sweet snack is made of coffee-flavored warabi-mochi filled with custard. They look just like the real lanterns! It's the perfect souvenir to remind you of the fun time you had strolling through Asuke. The shop also contains a gallery and a space where you can rest and enjoy tea and snacks.
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Kaho Oumiya
Toyota-Area
We are a long-standing confectioner that has been making sweets in Toyota for over 80 years. In addition to traditional wagashi, visitors can enjoy Western-style sweets made with local, in-season ingredients. Young or old, you’ll find a treat you love. We believe that delicious wagashi starts with red bean paste, so we use only the finest ingredients in our signature product, “Sekihan Manju.” Also try our “Oiden Maki,” a confection invented by the store’s fourth-generation owner. We spare no effort in making our red bean paste perfect, using traditional methods and coming up with new ways to bring out the natural color, shine, and flavor of azuki beans. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by for a snack!