Kaume of sweets Hakusan main store

Kobai Hakusan Main Store is a Japanese confectionery shop that produces “Homare no Jindaiko,” one of Kumamoto’s famous specialties. Homare no Jindaiko is shaped like a drum and wrapped in gold aluminum foil; it’s a sweet of anko enclosing yokan with mochi (gyuhi) inside. Because it’s quite sweet, most people don’t eat it all at once; instead, they slice it into portions using the small knife included in the package—cutting directly through the aluminum wrapping. The packaging method is called “paper can packaging,” and their unique manufacturing process plus the aluminum wrapping allows this fresh confection to have a 45-day shelf life. The shop also produces other signature sweets such as Musha-gaeshi and Honmaru. In addition to souvenirs, the store offers treats like Homare no Jindaiko soft-serve ice cream, shaved ice, and cakes. Items like wasanbon pudding, anko-cream dorayaki, and the unique “Jindaiko burger” are fun local specialties to try. The main store also has exclusive original souvenirs—worth carefully selecting as gifts. Access: get off at the Kumamoto City Tram Shin-Suizenji Station-mae stop and walk about 9 minutes.