Unpei mochi is a type of wagashi traditionally linked to weddings in Tsugaru, a rice-producing region of Aomori Prefecture. While special occasion varieties are shaped like sea bream or shrimp, the most common form is the spiral memaki.
This is the Okashi no Hiroya Unpei Mochi Sakura, which followed the traditional memaki design. It featured a green layer infused with salted sakura (cherry blossom) leaves wrapped around an unflavoured white layer and a pink centre. The piece measured approximately 6.5 cm x 4 cm at its widest and had a thickness of 1 cm.
The unpei mochi had a distinctive crunchy texture due to the coarseness of the sugar, a characteristic that reflected the sugar’s prominence over mochi rice flour in the ingredients. The sakura flavour was immediately noticeable, both as an aroma and on tasting, with the green layer offering a pleasingly mellow salted sakura note. This complemented the toasted richness of the mochi rice flour without overwhelming it.
However, while the subtle savoury elements in the green layer provided some balance, it was still sweetened, which led to the overall flavour becoming overly cloying when all three layers—green, white, and pink—were eaten together. The regional uniqueness of this mochi was appreciated, though it was found to be more enjoyable when shared or eaten slowly alongside tea, which could help mitigate the intense sweetness.
This Okashi no Hiroya Unbei Mochi Sakura contained one serving. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Hirosaki, Japan in 2024.