[Himeji City] “Gosei Monaka Honpo” is a Japanese confectionery shop that has been and will continue to be a part of history along with Himeji Castle.

• Table of Contents
• A local confectionery shop
• Let's eat Himeji Castle! The majestic castle in a cute monaka
• That whiteness again! A new type of monaka in collaboration with local high school students
• A heavy, solid stone wall is expressed with soft dorayaki.
• How about adding your own original branding mark to your crispy Kawara Senbei rice crackers?
• Chocolate and rice crackers come together to create a new Himeji specialty
• Cherishing our connections with the local community and adding new appeal
• Access methods
• Great value bus tickets
• basic information

A local confectionery shop

Look for the orange shop curtain

"Goso Monaka Honpo" is the name of the Nakano Co., Ltd., which was founded in 1958. The main store is located in a quiet alley lined with private houses, close to Kyoguchi Station on the JR Bantan Line.

There are tables set up inside the store so that customers can take a break. They also sell sweets wholesale, so children often come to buy snacks.

"It's a place of relaxation where locals can drop in and chat casually," says Mai. On the day of the interview, regulars were dropping in one after the other. Seeing them casually chat with the shop staff and leave with smiles on their faces, I could sense the warmth that can only come from a shop that is deeply rooted in the community.

Let's introduce each of the store's famous sweets, which are made with the desire to "deliver good things made with good ingredients."

Let's eat Himeji Castle! The majestic castle in a cute monaka

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Himeji Castle and "Gosō Monaka" (Photo provided by Nakano Co., Ltd.)

The "Gosou Monaka", which is modeled after the five-story main tower of Himeji Castle, was created by Mai's grandfather, the current chairman, to commemorate the castle's major renovation during the Showa era.

When you open the package, you'll be greeted by the fragrant aroma of the mochi skin. You'll want to take a bite right away, but first take a good look at it. The roof, windows, and other details have been recreated, and it can stand on its own, befitting its status as a World Heritage Site.

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"Five-layered Monaka" 194 yen per piece, 1,058 yen for a pack of 5

The crispy, fragrant skin is hand-baked using Hiyoku glutinous rice from Saga Prefecture, and the bean paste inside is made from Hokkaido-grown red beans, giving it a refined sweetness. The feeling of unity when you put it in your mouth is irresistible. Chopped chestnuts peeking out from inside the bean paste add an accent to the flavor and texture.

Shiny bean paste! A wonderful aroma fills the air (Photo provided by Nakano Co., Ltd.)

The filling is done by hand, one by one. (Photo: Nakano Co., Ltd.)

The bean paste is cooked using a unique method especially for monaka. The second-generation president of the company devised a sugar mixture that was "moderately sweet in keeping with the times" and arrived at this flavor.

A refreshingly sweet, instant oshiruko

Break it into a bowl and pour in hot water to make oshiruko. The skin will take on a chewy texture, making it very satisfying to eat. Look at it, smell it, eat it. Enjoy the cute castle with all your senses.

That whiteness again! A new type of monaka in collaboration with local high school students

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"Johaku Monaka" 226 yen per piece. The skin has the same design as the five-layered Monaka.

During the Heisei era's major repairs, this monaka was made. It was named "Castle White Monaka" after the image of a castle that has been repainted white with plaster. It is a collaborative product with Himeji Prefectural Commercial High School, and was completed after repeated prototypes incorporating ideas from students.

Inside the pure white shell is white bean paste mixed with cheese. We've also added white chocolate chips to add texture, in pursuit of the ultimate white flavor. The mellow sweetness and new taste sensation are said to be popular among young people and women.

When it was renovated, Himeji Castle was called "Too White Castle" in a play on its nickname "White Heron Castle." Eight years have passed since then, and it is no longer "too white," but the castle white monaka wafers tell the story of how white it was back then.

Limited time offer from late October to early May. Sakura bean paste will be available during cherry blossom season.

A heavy, solid stone wall is expressed with soft dorayaki.

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"Himeji Roman" 216 yen per piece, 1,188 yen for a pack of 5

If the Gosō Monaka is a confectionery modeled after the main tower of a castle, then the Himeji Roman is a Japanese-Western fusion dorayaki that is modeled after a stone wall. The dough, which uses plenty of eggs, is soft and fluffy. The moderately sweet bean paste and cream are in harmony, and the chopped chestnuts also work well here.

Where's the stone wall? If you're wondering that, take a closer look at the dough. You'll see that the browning pattern resembles a stone wall. This browning pattern changes greatly depending on the heat and baking time, so fine adjustments are essential to create the same pattern.

In addition, the filling is made using a different method than that used for monaka in order to match the Western flavor, demonstrating the shop's spirit of inquiry into sweet making.

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"Himeji Roman" Matcha and Cafe Latte, both 259 yen each

Himeji Roman, which makes the most of the flavor of the ingredients, is also popular. "Matcha" is made by kneading matcha into the dough and cream and sandwiching matcha mochi in between. "Caffe Latte," which uses an original blend of coffee beans, "Himeji Coffee," has an exquisite balance of the bitter coffee and sweet bean paste. There is also a refreshing "Yuzu" flavor made with plenty of yuzu from Yasutomi Town.

Himeji Roman is popular among not only children and women, but also men. I am impressed by the sense of style in expressing the solid stone walls in the dorayaki. Enjoy your meal while immersing yourself in the romance of the castle town with a long history.

We also recommend freezing it and making it into ice cream dorayaki, or baking it in the oven until crispy.

How about adding your own original branding mark to your crispy Kawara Senbei rice crackers?

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"Himeji Castle Tile Rice Crackers" 12 pieces for 648 yen

After the main castle tower and stone walls, the last thing is the roof tile. "Himeji Castle Tile Rice Crackers" are slightly sweet egg rice crackers shaped like the tiles of Himeji Castle.

When you think of kawara senbei, you think of something hard, right? Although it's not as hard as a real tile, you still need to be prepared to bite into it, but the kawara senbei at this shop boast a crunchy texture that makes them easy to eat even for the elderly and children. The beautiful Himeji Castle branding, which is hand-stamped on each cracker, adds a nice touch.

This is what the original Kawara Senbei looks like (Photo provided by Nakano Co., Ltd.)

You can also have your own original branding on the Kawara Senbei. Many people order these as company commemorative gifts or personal gifts. How about adding a portrait and handing them out as business cards?

Chocolate and rice crackers come together to create a new Himeji specialty

The combination of Kawara Senbei and chocolate has resulted in the creation of a new product: chocolate-covered rice crackers called "Choco-sen." Himeji City has a long-standing partnership with Showa Women's University, and Goso Monaka Honpo has been tasked with commercializing the product in collaboration with the university.

Mai also participated in the development, and three types of Choco-sen were created.

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"Choco-sen" From the front, strawberry chocolate, white chocolate, milk chocolate. 3 pieces (bag) 540 yen, 6 pieces (box) 1,000 yen

The "Milk Chocolate" is fragrant with sliced ​​almonds and brown rice puffs, while the "White Chocolate" is inspired by Himeji Castle and is topped with colorful chocolates to create a retro atmosphere. The "Strawberry Chocolate" uses strawberry powder from Himeji and features a design of Senhime, who is known as the last heroine of the Sengoku period and lived a turbulent life.

The gorgeous appearance of the strawberry dices and pistachios is a sight to behold, but the rich strawberry aroma and sweet and sour taste are also enchanting. The mellowness of the chocolate and the crispy texture of the rice crackers go perfectly together, making the encounter between the two seem like fate.

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"It's a product that makes use of the sensibilities that are unique to women," says Mai.

The packaging is a vibrant pink color, making it perfect as a souvenir. Mai says, "I hope that Choco Sen will help people get to know our store."

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Himeji Castle being registered as a World Heritage Site. This sweet is sure to become a hot topic, not only as a Himeji specialty but also as a special anniversary treat.

Cherishing our connections with the local community and adding new appeal

It can be said that Goso Monaka Honpo has a history that goes hand in hand with the castle. The sweets that have been loved since they were created have been improved over time to suit the times. And the new sweets that have joined the line-up are sure to be loved for a long time to come.

Mai-san has a cute smile

Mai says she will continue to try her hand at developing collaborative products and products using locally produced ingredients.

"It's amazing that I grew up in a town that has a world heritage site and am able to do this job. I want to get young people involved in creating new products and liven up the area. I think that's the best way I can give back to my hometown," she says, her eyes sparkling. We're looking forward to seeing what kind of charm Mai will add to the traditions built by her grandparents and father.

(While working as a writer)

*This article is current as of March 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may be subject to change.

Access methods

Take the Shinki Bus No. 21 (to Kashima Shrine) or No. 22 (to Yuhigaoka) from bus stop No. 16 at Himeji Station (North Exit), get off at the Kamiyacho bus stop, and it is a 2-minute walk from there.

Great value bus tickets

Hyogo Amazing Pass

With this ticket, you can ride the local buses (Shinki Bus orange buses) that run in Hyogo Prefecture, and the City Loop and Port Loop that run in the center of Kobe, all for 2,500 yen a day! Himeji Castle, Shoshasan, Taiyo Park, Suhama Shrine, Port Tower, Nankinmachi, Mita Premium Outlets, and more - wherever you go is up to you. You can enjoy a local trip to the fullest.

*Cannot be used on express buses, community buses, Himeji Loop buses, etc.

"Hyogo Amazing Pass" One-day unlimited travel ticket within Hyogo Prefecture *Limited to foreign visitors to Japan

Luggage storage service

Would you like to go sightseeing empty-handed?

basic information

Nakano Co., Ltd. Gosyo Monaka Honpo

Address: 71 Saiwai-cho, Himeji City

Phone number: 079-284-2525

Business hours: 8:00-17:00 *The products introduced in this article can also be purchased at the Himeji Piole Souvenir Shop in front of JR Himeji Station (8:30-20:00)

Closed: Open all year round

Parking: Available

Official website :