Wakaba

Start with the kusa mochi and fried dango. The kusa mochi has a pronounced mugwort aroma, while the sweetness of its chunky red bean paste is restrained, according to one review—a pleasing combination for those who enjoy the filling as much as the rice cake. Dango comes in soy-sauce, mitarashi and sesame varieties. One diner remembered the fried dango for its savoury, salty flavour; the mitarashi was praised for its sweet-and-savoury balance, and the sesame for its mix of sweetness and astringency. Choosing just one skewer may be the hardest part.

There is more than just something sweet to take home: mountain-vegetable rice and sekihan, red rice with azuki beans, are also available. One reviewer found the mountain-vegetable rice a little more strongly seasoned than expected, but to their taste. It works alongside Japanese sweets or as part of a meal. There are also reports of onigiri and side-dish sets being sold at lunchtime, making it possible at the time to pick up lunch along with dango or kusa mochi.

One report noted that mame daifuku is available only on Tuesdays and Fridays. The reported opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 7:30–19:30; the shop is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Payment is cash only.