Ryokogoya, with its headquarters in Nagoya, has expanded considerably into Tokyo department stores. The sweets I received from my daughter were generously filled with red bean paste, and the sizes of Yomoyama and Tabimakura were large, each in separate boxes. Perhaps a gift from somewhere? I will enjoy them deliciously.

■ On May 7th, a little earlier than Mother's Day, I went to Ginza Mitsukoshi to look for traditional Japanese sweets that my mother would like.■ While walking, I came across a beautiful Japanese sweet called "Zokuru Hana" that I thought my mother would love.■ It was a stunning sweet with a transparent light green base and pink and red carnations arranged inside, like a piece of art.■ I immediately purchased it.■ The wrapping paper with carnation illustrations added to the Mother's Day gift feel.■ After dinner on the day, I cut it into four pieces and served it with tea to my mother and grandmother, who were both very pleased.

At Ginza Station, inside Ginza Mitsukoshi on the underground 2nd floor near the escalator, there is a confectionery shop. This summer, a new pineapple-flavored yokan has been released. It has a cute pineapple pattern and tastes like pineapple. It was surprisingly delicious, with the top and bottom being red bean paste and the middle being gelatin. They also have watermelon, peach, and lemon flavors available.

It's the Dragon Boat Festival, so there was a long line of people at Mitsukoshi's Sentaro and Katane-ya looking for Kashiwa-mochi, it was amazing. I couldn't find Kashiwa-mochi at Ryokuchiya Korekiyo in Ginza Mitsukoshi, maybe it was sold out. But I did see Chimaki, so I bought that. I bought a set of three Kinchimaki since they didn't sell them individually. The Chimaki wrapped in two bamboo leaves had a sweet and fluffy texture, similar to Uirou.

Seasonal limited edition chestnut yokan for ¥1300 is rich and delicious. Just one piece is satisfying. The sweetness of the chestnut complements the yokan well.

I love it!

As I was wandering around the basement floor of Ginza Mitsukoshi, I stumbled upon a nostalgic shop that I hadn't noticed before in the Japanese confectionery section. It was Ryokuchiya Korekiyo. I used to be obsessed with their dried sweet called "Futari Shizuka" in the past, and I would have it almost every day. The rich matcha flavor combined with the sweetness of wasanbon sugar would spread gently in my mouth, and it was so delicious. It seems like I was in a phase where I wanted to experience a slightly more mature taste. (laughs) I had been away from it for a long time, but this time, I found a single bite yokan called "Sasara Gata"! Since my mother loves the single bite yokan from Toraya, that's all we usually have, but this time, I bought it in a cute small box to share with my colleagues at work. I tried the yuzu flavor that was said to be limited, but it turned out to be just the normal red bean flavor. The Daifuku yokan with azuki beans is the most delicious after all. Simple is best!

Assorted set for 1,050 yen includes 4 Yomoyama buns, around 8 Shinano jellies, and about 6 travel pillows (or maybe the Shinano and travel pillows are reversed). The Yomoyama red bean paste is super sweet! It's smooth and almost sandy, with a sugary red bean color. The filling is similar to the Yomoyama, but the outer layer is made of egg skin, thinner and softer than the Yomoyama bun's skin. The travel pillow is the sweetest among the three, with a slightly crunchy texture.