Do you know the shogi player Meijin Yasuharu Oyama?
Meijin Yasuharu Oyama was a shogi player from Kurashiki who set one unprecedented record after another and devoted his life to shogi.
There was a Japanese confectionery shop in Takasuka, Kurashiki, that expressed the Meijin’s passionate feelings through its sweets.
The shop was called “Kurashiki Yugaan Bunkindo.”
Here, we introduce what makes Bunkindo special, including its sweets filled with local pride and uniquely creative Japanese confections.
The information presented was current when this article was published in November 2023. Please note that it may differ from the current information.
What Is Bunkindo?
Bunkindo is about a seven-minute drive west of Chayamachi Station.
The area is dotted with rice fields, creating a peaceful rural landscape.
The shop’s entrance is entirely glass, allowing passersby to see inside.
The roof opens up to a high ceiling, giving the space an airy feel.
There’s a bench by the entrance, just right for taking a breather.
Sweets in the Shop
The shop is lined with a variety of sweets, including its signature Oyama Meijin Monaka, as well as Oborozuki, Hanaigusa, and castella.
Oyama Meijin Monaka
The Oyama Meijin Monaka is Bunkindo’s signature sweet.
Shaped like the “pawn” piece in shogi, this monaka is filled with chunky red bean paste made from Dainagon azuki beans, slowly simmered to perfection.
The name “Dainagon” is apparently used for certain varieties of especially large azuki beans.
They are distinguished from ordinary azuki varieties and have characteristics such as skins that are less likely to split when cooked.
This monaka also embodies the passionate words of Meijin Yasuharu Oyama, who hailed from Kurashiki: “To promote a pawn to a gold general, you must make an effort one step at a time.”
Fresh Cream Daifuku
The assorted fresh cream daifuku box contained four varieties: cheese daifuku, cafe au lait daifuku, strawberry au lait daifuku, and lemon au lait daifuku.
They are served frozen so they can be enjoyed at their best.
They’re best when partially thawed and kept for about two days in the refrigerator.
They were all delicious, but my favorite was the cafe au lait daifuku.
The cafe au lait daifuku is also Bunkindo’s most popular daifuku.
The gentle bitterness of the coffee filling and the mellow fresh cream paired perfectly inside the soft mochi.
I’d love to have it again.
A Look at the Confectionery-Making Process
I got to observe the confectionery-making process firsthand.
Here, they’re making grape daifuku.
In the photo, a muscat grape is being wrapped in bean paste.
As you can see in the photo, they were using quite large muscat grapes.
They can’t always get muscat grapes of this size, so they don’t make these every day.
The muscat grapes wrapped in bean paste are then enclosed in mochi.
Watching in person, I saw how they wrapped them quickly and efficiently, shaping each one into a beautiful round daifuku.
I witnessed the confectioner’s skill firsthand.
I got to try a freshly made grape daifuku right there.
Looking at the cross-section, it’s almost all muscat grape.
The muscat grape is large, making it very satisfying to eat.
The bean paste has a refined sweetness that brings out the grape’s flavor without overpowering it.
Halloween Sweets
Since I visited in October, there were also sweets made for Halloween.
Alongside classic sweets, Bunkindo also makes treats for seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas.
They’re a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds.
Children and women are sure to love them.
Being able to watch the confectionery-making process right before my eyes was a truly valuable experience.
Surrounded by rural scenery, Bunkindo offers a peaceful setting in which to enjoy a variety of Japanese confections.
I spoke with Bunkindo President Osaki Kantatsu and Executive Managing Director Osaki Takahiro.
Bunkindo Co., Ltd. Information
| Name | Bunkindo Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Address | 155-6 Takasuka, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-482-0986 |
| Parking | Available Parking for 6 cars |
| Hours | 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Wednesdays Also closed on the second Tuesday of each month |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | No restroom |
| Website | Japanese Confectionery Shop in Kurashiki, Chayamachi, Hayashima, and Takasuka [Bunkindo] |
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