What is Iwaki's famous confectionery, "Jangara"? A Japanese confectionery with a smooth texture that will make you want to eat it again and again. [Fukushima Prefecture]

a famous confection from Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, is characterized by its rich, heavy bean paste filling and crisp, crunchy crustJangara,. It can be purchased not only in Iwaki City but also at local product stores and supermarkets throughout Fukushima Prefecture. As it is a popular souvenir and gift item, many people have probably tried it at least once.

This time, I would like to delve deeper into the appeal of Jangara

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What is Iwaki City's famous confectionery, "Jangara"?

a famous confection from Iwaki CityJangara,, is a Japanese sweet consisting of a rich, dense bean paste filling sandwiched between crispy outer layers.

The filling"Shumari" adzuki beans from Hokkaido, resulting in a rich and dense texture. The dough is made simply from eggs, wheat flour, and whole milk powder. A glaze of honey is applied to the surface, making it extra crispy. Take a big bite and enjoy the contrast between the crispy dough and the sticky filling.

The taste is "just the right balance" with a gentle milky flavor and the rich sweetness of the bean paste blending together without clashing. You may find the sweetness a little strong, but that's exactly what brings out the deliciousness of the tea! It goes well not only with bitter green tea, but also with milk, black tea, and coffee. Be sure to try it as a teatime accompaniment!

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Jangara is a long-selling product of "Okashi no Miyoshi"

Jangara is manufactured and sold by "Okashi no Miyoshi." It is a long-established confectionery shop founded in 1949, and as of 2025, it has 12 stores in Fukushima Prefecture and 1 store in Ibaraki Prefecture.

In addition to Jangara, they offer a wide range of products, from traditional Japanese sweets to Western-style confectionery. Their high-quality wagashi (Japanese sweets), perfect for tea ceremonies, are all elegantly presented, showcasing the skill of their artisans. They also haveand;a variety of products with a shelf life of about 30 days from the date of manufacture, such as "Rossage," a baked confection featuring the rhododendron, the official flower of Fukushima Prefecture; "Iwaki Miyoshi Kuri," a chestnut bun with two kinds of filling"Diamond Ring," a chocolate-flavored dorayaki. Be sure to check them out on their official website.

Miyoshi Sweets ＜Information＞

• Name: Miyoshi Sweets [Head Office Factory]
• Address: 1-11-3 Hirayakawase, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0246-23-7111
• URL:https://j-miyoshi.jp/index.html

Google Map

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The name Jangara comes from a local performing art

The name of the confectionery, Jangara, comes from the traditional performing art of Iwaki City, "Jangara Nenbutsu Odori" (Jangara Buddhist Dance). The Jangara Nenbutsu Odori is performed in August, during the Obon festival according to the old lunar calendar. Young people carry drums and bells and visit homes observing their first Obon since a death, dancing while chanting Buddhist prayers. It has been designated as an intangible folk cultural property of Iwaki City.

It is said to have originated in the mid-17th century, when the "HōsaiNenbutsu" (a type of Buddhist chanting dance started by Hōsai, a monk from Ibaraki Prefecture in the early Edo period, which was very popular in Edo at the time, was performed in front of the grave of Sawamura Kanbei, who contributed greatly to the construction of irrigation canals for the Iwaki-Taira domain. Even today, every year on August 14th, the Jangara Nenbutsu dance is performed as an offering at Kōmyōji Temple in Hiraizumizaki, where a memorial monument to Sawamura Kanbei is located.

By the way, the shape of the Jangara sweets is said to be based on the drums used in the Jangara Nembutsu dance

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In the past, it became a hot topic as a snack at the Ryuo Shogi tournament

Jangara also attracted attention when Sota Fujii ordered it as a morning snack during the third game of the Ryuo Shogi Championship, held in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture in 2021

Since shogi title matches are long games, it is customary for snacks to be served twice a day. The content of the shogi matches is of course a topic of conversation, but the "shogi meals" chosen by the players are also often a hot topic. Fujii chose cute-looking, so-called "eye-catching" sweets for the first and second games, so his choice of the traditional "Jangara" dessert made his order all the more surprising

the local specialty confection "Jangara" gained attention, was a moment that I, as a resident of Fukushima Prefecture, can be proud of.

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Enjoy a relaxing tea time at Jangara!

This time we introduced "Jangara," a famous confectionery from Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture

the long-established sweets shop "Okashi no Miyoshi," is a famous treat that has become a staple as a souvenir or gift. The contrast between the crispy and chewy textures, and the harmony of the mellow and rich sweetness, create a truly unique flavor. When you visit Fukushima, why not consider it as one of your souvenir options?

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