Kikyouya Shingen Mochi Factory

My friend took a day off work and drove me to Yamanashi prefecture. The final destination was a secret, but when we arrived, the smell of something sweet hung in the air. Oh! We were going to visit a Japanese sweets factory. This factory is very famous, having been featured on a Japanese television show. It's known for mochi (sweet, pounded rice cakes) with brown sugar syrup.

Factory shop:

Inside, we were not allowed photos, and the tour itself is quite short -- only 15 minutes! My friend and I both commented that the guide didn't allow much time to stop and look at things or to ask questions....(>_<)

At the end of the tour, for ¥300, you could learn how to tie their specialty -- mini packets of mochi. During the tour, we watched lines of workers individually tying each sweet. The guide said they can tie one in 6 seconds! My friend decided to give it a try and I took photos...

Step 1: Lay the clear sheet on the table in a diamond shape.

Step 2: Place the packet of mochi on the sheet, folding the top and bottom ends of the sheet over the mochi.

Step 3: Use the left and right sides of the sheet to tie over the mochi. 

Finished! 

To tie 4 packets and place them in a decorative box, took about 5 minutes -- much slower than the factory workers! We were amazed at their speed.

As for the taste? It's really sweet...the kind of sweet that will make you go into "sugar shock". We gave our packets of mochi to friends as a souvenir.

Yamanashi prefecture is famous for shingen mochi, grapes and peaches. There are many "U-Pick" grape and peach fields. A drive through the prefecture is a must -- it's sprinkled with tall mountains and is cool in summer. Highly recommended. 

Access: Chuo expressway from Kanagawa, takes about 2.5 hours. 

The Kikyouya Shingen Mochi factory is located in Yamanashi prefecture. The factory tour is free and reservations are not required. Website info is HERE. (日本語) Their factory shop sells sweets at 50% off. A great deal!