The originator of Sendai sweets! Kumagaya's Yubeshi is delicious!

Chimon
2018.09.06
Last updated: 2023.06.14

table of contents

1 History of Sendai Dagashi
2 An idol born from Kumagaya!
3 Real food! Sendai candy!
4 access
- 4.1 Kumagaya <Information>

What kind of sweets do you think of when you hear the word "dagashi"?

``Umaibo'', ``French fries'', ``Moroccan yogurt''... each person has different memories of the sweets, but all of them are wonderful sweets with a good old Showa flavor. Yes, the image of cheap sweets is from the Showa era!

However, the origin of dagashi in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture is 300 years ago! It dates back to the Edo period. And one of the long-established stores that continues to make these Sendai sweets is still open today!

This time, we will be focusing on Sendai Dagashi and ``Original Sendai Dagashi Honpo Kumagaya'', which continues to pass it on to this day. Please indulge yourself in the sweets that connect Sendai's present and past!

History of Sendai Dagashi

It is said that dagashi were originally children's sweets made in townhouses and farmers using scrap rice. was Jisaburo Kumagaya , the first generation of Kumagaya-ya, who innovated and innovated to the point where it became a viable business

In the 8th year of Genroku, Jisaburo started a confectionery shop at the age of 30.

At that time, Sendai was developing a tea ceremony culture thanks to the spread of Date Masamune. The confectionery culture, which is closely related to the tea ceremony, was also well-developed, which probably served as the basis for the development of Sendai dagashi.

However, in Japan at the time, sugar was so valuable that it was treated as medicine. This is because until the early Edo period, sugar was dependent on imports. Until imports were restricted by the 8th Shogun Yoshimune Tokugawa, there was almost no domestic production.

It was not until the end of the Edo period that stable domestic production began.

Sendai dagashi also developed rapidly in proportion to the amount of sugar produced. By 1909, the number of candy shops in the city was recorded as 292.

This is approximately 15 times the number of McDonald's that currently exist in Sendai City. That's why Sendai Dagashi has been loved so much!

An idol born from Kumagaya!

Currently, Kumagaya has other points of interest besides Sendai Dagashi. In fact, one of Sendai's most representative idols was born from Kumagaya!

Airi Hayashida is a member of the idol anime "WakeUp Girls!" set in Miyagi Prefecture. Kumagaya is the model for her family's Japanese confectionery shop!

The store also sells the Yubeshi that Airi ate in TV episodes 1 and 5. In addition, they are so popular that they even sell barley sweets with “Airi Hayashida” written on them!

If you take a photo of the life-sized panels displayed inside the store on your way home after buying Sendai Dagashi, it will become a wonderful memory!

Real food! Sendai candy!

So thank you for waiting! It's finally time to taste the Sendai sweets!

This time I bought "Kurumi Yubeshi" and "Gomakko Yubeshi"

The deliciousness of Kurumi Yubeshi, a standard product that Airi also ate, is like a yardstick for measuring the skill of a candy shop.
How effective is Kumagaya?

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Ummaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

The texture of Yubeshi is firm and chewy! The sweetness is not overwhelming, and the bitterness and umami of the walnuts add an accent!

All of them are of high quality and will give you a sense of satisfaction and happiness!

This time, it's Gomakko Yubeshi.

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Nmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Like walnut yubeshi, this one also has a chewy texture! In addition, the aroma of sesame makes it even more appetizing!

And above all, the volume of these two Yubeshi is amazing!

Even if you eat just one piece, it will leave a lasting impression on your stomach! If you eat two, you will feel completely satisfied! If you eat it before club activities, its sweetness and volume will keep you tired!

Kumagaya's Yubeshi can be said to be the perfect sweet for growing children!

access

Now, regarding Kumagaya-ya's location, it is a little difficult to visit by car. It's within walking distance from Kita-Yonbancho Station on the Namboku Subway Line, so if possible, we recommend taking the subway rather than driving.

There are also branches at Sendai Station Building S-PAL, Nagamachi The Mall, and Sendai Airport, so if you're looking to buy one as a souvenir, those are the best options.