Sakura Mochi ?

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Mar 28, 2012 | 3:08 am
  #1  
Hi folks.. that time of the year again. I *think* I have the terminology right. I'm talking about the sakura flavored "jelly" (for lack of better term - maybe soft, pliable rice cake), wrapped in a fresh (important) sakura leaf.

A quick Google search seems to confirm: 桜餅

I've found them all over Ginza while walking around the main shopping corridor. What I was looking for was a venue in Roppongi (prefer near the Hills) which carries them fresh at this time of year. Does anyone know of a source?

Thanks..
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Mar 28, 2012 | 3:20 am
  #2  
If you're staying at a hotel, just ask the concierge for directions to a Wagashi shop.

Toraya karyo in Tokyo Mid-Town might be doing them:
http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/en/shop...ail.php?id=129

And here's a place - Wagashi Aoyanagi - on the other side of Gaien Nishi Dori
http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A13...034764/dtlmap/
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Mar 28, 2012 | 3:32 am
  #3  
Quote: If you're staying at a hotel, just ask the concierge for directions to a Wagashi shop.

Toraya karyo in Tokyo Mid-Town might be doing them:
http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/en/shop...ail.php?id=129

And here's a place - Wagashi Aoyanagi - on the other side of Gaien Nishi Dori
http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A13...034764/dtlmap/
Thanks for the quick reply. I've visited Toraya Karyo before, that's a good idea, I'm not sure I've been there at precisely this time of year previously.

Spawned an email off to the concierge at the GHT. Will report back with what I learn. Good idea, jib.
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Mar 28, 2012 | 4:21 am
  #4  
Perhaps on Friday we can go by the Toyoko Tokyu.......can't beat Sentaro from Kyoto. Also found at the Isetan in Shinjuku and the Mistukoshi in Ginza. Should the sakura mochi be un-available then there will be many other choices available at adjacent kiosks.
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Mar 28, 2012 | 9:34 pm
  #5  
源 吉兆庵 (Minamoto Kitchoan) has a booth in the Shinjuku Takashimaya; there is evidently also an Akasaka store:

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1308/A130801/13103221/

I think they make it year round, though I could be wrong -- last time I happened across it was at their NY location.
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Mar 29, 2012 | 2:58 am
  #6  
Concierge came back with Toraya in Midtown as well. Will head over tomorrow and check it out. Thanks for the recommendations, folks.
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Mar 29, 2012 | 11:18 am
  #7  
Quote: 源 吉兆庵 (Minamoto Kitchoan) has a booth in the Shinjuku Takashimaya; there is evidently also an Akasaka store:

http://r.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1308/A130801/13103221/

I think they make it year round, though I could be wrong -- last time I happened across it was at their NY location.
I actually didn't know the name of the store, but I shop there regularly in Food Show (Shibuya). They only have the sakura sweets in season.
http://www.tokyu-dept.co.jp/foodshow...NAMOTOKICHOUAN

Just behind there is a Ginza Akebono, which is where we get our "daily mochi".
They also had some sakura mochi the other day. And they have the ones with salted sakura leaf (don't care for them) as a regular item. The Ginza Akebonos are everywhere. For example, there is another one at Tokyu Honten (Bunkamura).
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Mar 31, 2012 | 6:46 am
  #8  
this one the op is taking about is kansai style. one day while walking at Tsukiji, i found out kanto has it's own style of sakura mochi. doesn't look nearly as nice..and the shape is long and rolled up.
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Apr 7, 2012 | 11:58 pm
  #9  
Hey folks.. OP back and heading out of country today....

Ended up going to Ginza to find what I really wanted. Not sure of the name of the store, sorry as I can't read Japanese (or speak it for that matter), but found the store I frequent and got what I wanted. Also found some good product in the basement of the department stores as suggested by folks here.

All in all, happy, and probably ate too many of them. Good stuff. Wish we could get this back in the States.
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Apr 8, 2012 | 8:22 am
  #10  
You should be able to get these state-side. There's the one I mentioned a few posts above, Minamoto Kitchoan, who have a store near Rockefeller Center in NYC.

There's bound to be other wagashiya near SFO/SJC, etc.

EDIT: Here are some more locations for this company:
http://www.kitchoan.jp/ovsshop/index.html

If you have a Mitsuwa near you, that would probably work too.
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Apr 8, 2012 | 4:55 pm
  #11  
Quote: You should be able to get these state-side. There's the one I mentioned a few posts above, Minamoto Kitchoan, who have a store near Rockefeller Center in NYC.

There's bound to be other wagashiya near SFO/SJC, etc.

EDIT: Here are some more locations for this company:
http://www.kitchoan.jp/ovsshop/index.html

If you have a Mitsuwa near you, that would probably work too.
Ah, Mitsuwa, completely forgot about that.. will have to go check this week. thanks for the tips.
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