Saito Seika

Iwate confectioner Saito Seika has been delighting customers for 90 years. It is the creator of the famous Tohoku souvenir Seagull Eggs, which it has produced since 1952, and which has become the company’s signature product thanks to a delicious and elegant balance of yellow bean paste, sponge cake, and white chocolate. Seagull Eggs are a testament to Saito Seika’s commitment to confectionery that highlights the natural flavors of ingredients including white kidney beans, white pomegranates, wheat flour, and chicken eggs.

Saito Seika’s origins go back to a modest shop opened in Ofunato City by the grandmother of the current chairman. The shop’s handmade daifuku mochi (rice cakes with a sweet filling) and yubeshi (rice or rice flour and other ingredients steamed in fruit) began to gather a loyal following, and the shop soon rebranded as Saito Mochiya. Later, the father of the current chairman came up with the idea of creating a unique confectionery to be an Ofunato City souvenir. Drawing on the shop’s confectionery-making strengths, he came up with the first version of Seagull Eggs, a type of sponge cake bun that eventually developed into today’s product. His inspiration was the beautiful coastline of Ofunato City, and he intended Seagull Eggs to evoke the image of a seagull soaring over the blue sea. At one time, production of Seagull Eggs was paused, but recovery activities after the massive 1960 Valdivia earthquake, which caused tsunamis all the way in Japan, prompted the shop to relaunch production of its signature confectionery.

Initially, the product was dome-shaped, but over many years of experimentation and refinement, it developed into its current egg shape, and in 1999 was given the name Seagull Eggs. Saito Seika continued to improve the product’s quality and flavor over many years, leading to a number of versions for different occasions, such as red and white eggs, golden eggs, black tea-flavored eggs, and a series of seasonal eggs (strawberry, blueberry, chestnut, and mandarin orange). This iconic product reflects the curiosity, ingenuity, and capabilities of the many people involved in its development. Seagull Eggs are available at major train stations, airports, highway service and parking areas, and similar locations.

Kamome Terrace is the brand’s first flagship store that manufactures confectioneries on-site. Customers can choose from a delicious array of Japanese and Western products inspired by the store’s concept as a place for people of any age to gather together. There is a café designed as a modern version of the original shop, and customers can choose to decorate their own unique Seagull Eggs. It’s a fun, stylish, and relaxing stop on a trip to the Ofunato area. It has even built a local fanbase attracted by the many fun things on offer.

Saito Seika is committed to preserving the iconic egg shape of its product. Yet it also embraces innovation, and its fans looking forward to Seagull Eggs’ continuing evolution. Saito Seika is grateful to its many fans and remains focused on bringing smiles to their faces. That’s why its mission is not only to make delicious confectioneries but also to spread joy.

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