Interview with Hiroyuki Kanamoto, President of Fujito Manju
The long-established Fujito Manju Honpo, which has been making the famous sweets "Fujito Manju" since the Heian period, is a staple of Kurashiki.
I spoke with Hiroyuki Kanamoto, the president of Fujito Manju Honpo, about taking over the long-established business, the characteristics of Fujito Manju Honpo, their commitment to their products, and their future prospects.
Fujito Manju is part of Kurashiki's history
Fujito Manju Honpo is a long-established business with a remarkable history in Kurashiki.
Kanamoto
It has a history of over 830 years, dating back to the late Heian period during the Genpei War.
It's so long ago that there are many things we don't know about it.
However, there are records from the Edo period.
During the Edo period, it was distributed during memorial services at the nearby Fujido Temple.
The area around Fujido is rich in historical sites related to the Genpei War.
In fact, Fujito Manju Honpo is included in the tour of historical sites related to the Genpei War.
I believe that "Fujito Manju" has now become part of Kurashiki's history, and I take responsibility for its production and sale.
How many can you sell in a day at peak times?
Kanamoto
At peak times, we produce about 20,000 pieces every day.
The peak times are during equinoxes, Obon, and the New Year holidays.
What is your recommended way to eat it?
Kanamoto
I think freshly made ones are the best.
At the Kushida store, which has a factory attached, you might be able to eat them fresh depending on the timing, so please ask the staff.
On the other hand, eating them chilled from the refrigerator is also delicious.
Customers seem to come up with various ways to enjoy them, and some know more than I do (laughs).
For example, some freeze them and eat them like red bean ice cream, or sandwich them in bread, or even make tempura out of them...
It seems that each customer has their own way of enjoying them.
Many customers still insist on buying from the main store
The building has a historical charm, but how many years old is it?
Kanamoto
It was built in the early Meiji period, so it has a history of over 100 years.
It has a charming atmosphere and has even been used as a filming location for movies, which surprised me when the offer came.
The directors personally visited all the candidate locations and chose Fujito Manju Honpo, so it was a great honor.
Some people come for location tours after watching the movie.
What other types of customers are common?
Kanamoto
Many local customers tend to go to the Kushida store, which has parking available.
On the other hand, there are also customers who deliberately come to buy from the main store.
Some customers insist that "Fujito Manju must be bought from the historic main store."
This is especially common among older customers.
Recently, there has been an increase in young tourists.
They aim for social media appeal, come to the main store to buy Fujito Manju, and take photos of the main store before leaving.
The bamboo leaf-wrapped Fujito Manju is also popular for social media appeal.
Not expanding too much, but incorporating what is necessary
Fujito Manju Honpo has been around for a very long time, but what does President Kanamoto focus on?
Kanamoto
I focus on doing business that is appropriate for our size without expanding too much.
In the past, we also sold red and white manju and monaka for a time.
Since my generation, we have focused solely on Fujito Manju.
We are committed to continuing to sell the products that have been around for a long time.
We operate with two stores: the main store and the Kushida store.
Originally, there was a workshop and a store behind the main store.
However, due to the riverbank construction of the Kurashiki River, we had to dismantle it, so we built the Kushida store with an attached factory in 1990.
Therefore, we do not plan to increase the number of stores beyond two.
Isn't there a demand for souvenirs if you have a store near tourist spots like the station and Bikan Historical Area?
Kanamoto
Instead of having stores near the station or Bikan Historical Area, we are handled by department stores, local supermarkets, and souvenir shops within the station.
If you use those, you can buy them near the station or Bikan Historical Area.
Are you not considering online sales?
Kanamoto
We are not considering online sales.
Fujito Manju is additive-free, so it has a relatively short shelf life.
We are committed to being additive-free and want people to eat it in a delicious state, so online sales are difficult.
I hope people come to Kurashiki to eat it and feel the history of Kurashiki.
In fact, there are customers who come to Kurashiki tourism looking forward to eating Fujito Manju.
Fujito Manju has evolved to its current form in line with history
Fujito Manju has a long history, but has the taste and manufacturing method remained unchanged since ancient times?
Kanamoto
No. It has changed to adapt to the times.
I have heard that the original Fujito Manju was something close to mochi.
Of course, since it is from a long time ago and there are no records, I only know it through oral tradition, so I don't know the details.
The taste and shape of the current Fujito Manju were established in the Edo period.
After that, while keeping the ingredients, taste, and shape the same, we introduced machinery to enable stable and hygienic production of delicious Fujito Manju.
Also, we introduced packaging machines when we built the Kushida store.
To preserve the good qualities from the past, we must also introduce new things; otherwise, we cannot protect tradition.
Speaking of new initiatives, it seems there are collaborative products with other companies.
Kanamoto
Yes, strictly speaking, we have them use the red bean paste from Fujito Manju to create products.
One is a sandwich shop called Motoya located in the West Building of Okayama Station, and the other is "Hotel Granvia" at Okayama Station.
The product from Motoya was created as part of a project by Tenmaya, featuring a fruit sandwich with Fujito Manju's red bean paste and strawberries.
This was a limited-time product sold at Tenmaya Kurashiki store, and it seems it was well received.
After that, Motoya has been selling it regularly, and Tenmaya Kurashiki store sells it once a week.
Please give it a try!
Additionally, Hotel Granvia has a parfait.
The parfait is topped with yokan (sweet bean jelly) made from Fujito Manju's red bean paste and ice cream mixed with the paste.
It was sold for a limited time in the lounge of the first-floor lobby of Hotel Granvia, and it seems it was also well received.
Both products were born from the desire to create products using Fujito Manju's red bean paste.
This is very gratifying.
There is pressure and a sense of mission to protect the historic signboard
What are your future prospects?
Kanamoto
I believe it is important to pass on the historic product and store of Fujito Manju to future generations.
I have that sense of mission.
With the weight of history, there is also a lot of pressure (laughs).
As I mentioned earlier, I believe that Fujito Manju is part of Kurashiki's history and a treasure of the region.
To achieve that, we must not expand too much, while at the same time incorporating necessary new things.
This is what we need to continue.
To continue for a long time, "continuation is strength".
Also, my daughter is currently helping with the work.
Gradually passing the baton to the next generation is also an important goal for the future.
Conclusion
Fujito Manju is a confection that is filled with red bean paste, making it irresistible for red bean paste lovers.
The subtle flavor of sweet sake is also nice.
With its smooth texture and refined red bean paste that is not overly sweet, I think it is easy to eat even for those who are not fond of sweets.
Moreover, Fujito Manju is sold in limited locations and has a relatively short shelf life.
Not being able to buy it unless you come to Kurashiki is also part of its charm.
With a very long history, Fujito Manju is truly a perfect souvenir from Kurashiki.
Please be sure to try it when you visit Kurashiki.
Data on Fujito Manju (Main Store)
| Name | Fujito Manju Honpo (Main Store) |
|---|---|
| Address | 48 Fujido-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-428-1034 |
| Parking | None (Kushida store has parking) |
| Business Hours | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Tuesday Second Wednesday * If a regular holiday falls on a public holiday, we will be open and close on Thursday |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Fujito Manju |
