There are many delicious sweets in Fukuoka. I always bring some Fukuoka’s sweets for souvenir whenever I visit friends or relatives who living out of Fukuoka. Today, I’m going to introduce two popular sweets from Fukuoka.

〇 Hakata Toorimon 博多とおりもん

 This sweet is a type of Japanese manju (まんじゅう) with a white bean paste filling that is moist, subtly sweet, and melts on your tongue. The outer layer has a slight milky scent. The white bean paste inside is moist and has a refined sweetness. It’s soft and has just the right amount of sweetness, making it so popular that my friends often request it as a souvenir.

 “Hakata Toorimon”  Name origin

 “Hakata” is the name of an area in Fukuoka. The name “Toorimon” comes from “Dontaku,” a famous festival in Fukuoka. During the festival, many people play Japanese shamisen (similar to a guitar), flute, and drum while walking. We refer to these performers as “Toorimon.”

https://youtu.be/x_1JTazXSh4?si=JO228Yxe30CJ2e9k&t=30

〇 Niwaka senpei にわかせんぺい

　This senbei is made with plenty of flour and eggs and baked to a crispy golden brown. What truly sets it apart is its appearance. When you open the box, you can’t help but smile at the senbei shaped like masks, all lined up inside.

The origin of the name “Niwaka Senpei” comes from the word “senpei,” which refers to a type of Japanese confection called senbei. “Niwaka” refers to “Hakata Niwaka,” a traditional performing art from Hakata that features comedy in the Hakata dialect. The mask used in this performance is the shape of this confection.

https://youtu.be/D-ixP1MbZfg?si=a7bpLudB_WTrshcx

I introduced only two sweets this time, but there are many more fancy and delicious sweets in Fukuoka. Why don’t you come to Fukuoka and study Japanese here? We look forward to seeing you!

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