This is a review of Inoko Mochi from Tsuruyahachiman, a long-established wagashi shop in Osaka. I’ll introduce the background, availability, size, and taste of this seasonal sweet.
- 🏯About Tsuruyahachiman
- 🐗 What is Inoko Mochi?
- 📏 Size, Price, and Shelf Life
- ✨ Tasting Notes
- 🎐 Impression
- Here is the Medium version of this article
🏯About Tsuruyahachiman
Tsuruyahachiman was founded in 1863 (Bunkyū 3), inheriting the confectionery techniques of Toraya Ichishiki, a prestigious wagashi maker that had served the Imperial Court since the Genroku era. Since then, the shop has continued to craft traditional Japanese sweets in Osaka, including jōnamagashi (delicate seasonal confections), Hyakuraku (monaka wafers), and Maizuru (dorayaki).
Official website: Tsuruyahachiman
🐗 What is Inoko Mochi?
Inoko Mochi (literally “boar’s child rice cake”) is a wagashi traditionally eaten on the first Day of the Boar in November. It is believed to bring protection from illness and misfortune. The sweet is often used in tea ceremonies during the ro-biraki (opening of the winter hearth).
At Tsuruyahachiman, Inoko Mochi is made by kneading azuki beans into a soft rice-flour dough, shaped to resemble a little boar.
- Kansai style (tsubuan filling): 411 yen (tax included)
- Kantō style (koshian filling): 389 yen (tax included)
- Sales period: November 1 – November 30
📏 Size, Price, and Shelf Life
- Size: approx. 4.5 cm × 5.2 cm (round shape) × 2.5 cm tall
- Price: 411 yen (including tax)
- Shelf life: 2 days (including purchase date)
✨ Tasting Notes
The dough is soft and chewy, but not quite the same as ordinary mochi—it has a slightly firmer bite, closer to sotō dough. The azuki bean paste inside has a gentle sweetness, perfectly balanced. Overall, it’s a simple yet refined wagashi, with a flavor that lingers pleasantly.
The boar motif is charming: the rounded shape resembles a playful uribō (boar piglet), making the sweet visually delightful as well as tasty.
🎐 Impression
Tsuruyahachiman’s Inoko Mochi is a seasonal wagashi that beautifully reflects tradition and craftsmanship. Its soft texture, balanced sweetness, and symbolic design make it a perfect treat for November, whether enjoyed at home or in a tea ceremony.
