Wagashi Momiji Manju NISHIKIDO

Hiroshima Prefecture hosts many tourists, both from Japan and overseas, who come to see globally renowned destinations such as Itsukushima Shrine and Hiroshima Castle. A Japanese person thinking of Hiroshima, meanwhile, might instantly think of momiji manju as a famous souvenir from the prefecture. And lately, many tourists from overseas also pick up these iconic sweets.

The most popular type of momiji manju is a castella cake filled with smooth or chunky bean paste made from Hokkaido red beans. Other types of fillings in the lineup include cheese cream, chocolate, sweet potato, and black sesame. There is also the elegant Otona-no-Momiji, which has Kyoto matcha kneaded into the dough and a creamy filling, as well as Nama-Momiji, which uses rice flour for the dough and has a chewy texture, making it the most popular variety with overseas customers. Also available is Dokode-Momiji, which features the face of Japan’s internationally-known anime character Doraemon.

Seasonal varieties include the cherry-flavored Sakuranbo-Momiji in spring, Pineapple-Momiji in summer, pumpkin-flavored Kabocha-Momiji in autumn, and Maple Chocolate in winter, allowing flavors unique to each season to be enjoyed whenever customers visit. Furthermore, Bara-to-Peach (which means “rose and peach”) is available exclusively in Fukuyama, which is located on the Hiroshima Prefecture side of its border with Okayama Prefecture. This is a momiji manju made with rose paste kneaded into the dough and a filling made with peach puree and pulp, allowing you to enjoy the flavor of roses and the texture of peach pulp.

The Miyajima Store is located by the Miyajima Ferry Terminal for travel to Miyajima Island. It sells soft serve ice cream that is mixed with the same smooth bean paste used in momiji manju. There is also soft serve ice cream mixed with white bean paste. We recommend the Special Cup, which is a soft serve ice cream mixed with smooth bean paste and topped with momiji castella and chunky bean paste. Be sure to try them when you visit the island.

As of August 2025, NISHIKIDO directly operates 17 stores in Hiroshima Prefecture (for detailed information such as store locations, please check the website). These include a store in the departure lobby on the second floor of Hiroshima Airport and one in the souvenir retail area on the second floor of JR Hiroshima Station, both of which offer live demonstration sales where you can eat freshly made, piping hot momiji manju, something not available at other stores. We hope you will check them out when you arrive in or leave from Hiroshima.

Shaped like the leaf of a maple tree, Hiroshima’s prefectural plant, momiji manju is a distinctive Japanese confection. It makes for a unique souvenir and is sure to be a welcome treat. In addition to momiji manju, NISHIKIDO also offers a variety of other Japanese confectionery, so be sure to try them.

Details