Itsukushima is well known throughout Japan for its old growth forest and maple trees, which was probably inspiration for the islands most famous treat, the Momiji Manju. The outside is similar to a cake, made from flour, rice powder and buckwheat. Inside, one traditionally finds an (sweetened red bean paste), although these days, custard, taro, macha and chocolate are also popular.
Visitors to the island, especially the Japanese, purchases boxes of the sweets to take home to their families. We just bought two…for research purposes of course…and am pleased to report they are quite delicious!
I’m not sure how they were made back in the old days, but now the process is wholly automated. Nevertheless it was lovely to watch the rickety old machinery at work.
