National Route 180 connects the Bitchu region in western Okayama Prefecture from north to south.
On the way from Soja City to Takahashi City, a giant oni statue stands beside the highway.
Isn’t this a familiar sight to people in western Okayama Prefecture?
I remember it very well, as I often passed by when I was little.
It’s a shop with an incredible visual impact, but haven’t you wondered, “What kind of shop is it?”
The oni statue stands outside a Japanese and Western confectionery shop called Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo.
Founded in the 1970s, this long-established shop has been loved for many years by local residents and people traveling along the highway.
My family and relatives used to buy products from Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo as gifts to take when visiting others.
The sweets from Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo have a simple, comforting deliciousness.
However, during the heavy rains of July 2018, the Takahashi River, which flows in front of the shop, flooded.
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo suffered extensive damage from the flooding.
The shop has since overcome the hardships of the disaster and reopened.
Here’s an introduction to Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo, known for its oni statues and wide range of sweets, from Japanese confections to Western-style ones.
The information provided was current when this article was published in May 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo is a long-established Japanese and Western confectionery shop along National Route 180
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo is in the Tanei district in the northern part of Soja City.
It is along National Route 180, with the Takahashi River in front and the JR Hakubi Line behind the shop.
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo is a long-established shop founded at its current location in the 1970s.
Since its founding, it has been loved by local residents and tourists traveling along the highway in front of it.
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo was originally founded by a former carpenter from Shikoku.
Later, when the founder had to return to Shikoku for personal reasons, Mr. Nishi, the current owner, became the second-generation proprietor, having worked alongside the founder as a carpenter.
Since then, Mr. and Mrs. Nishi have run the shop.
These days, their daughter sometimes helps out as well.
The giant oni statue is a landmark
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo is known for the giant oni statues standing all around the building.
▼Once you pass by, their unforgettable impact stays with you; they are a familiar sight in the area.
▼Many oni stand guard around the shop. Be sure to take a close look when you visit.
▼Look closely, and you’ll see that one oni is holding Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo’s signature product, “Oni Bikkuri Manju.”
Remarkably, all these oni statues were handmade by the founder, the shop’s first owner.
As a former carpenter, he created very realistic oni.
Recommended products at Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo makes and sells a range of sweets in the shop, from Japanese confections to Western-style ones, including its signature “Oni Bikkuri Manju.”
Here are some of the shop’s recommended products.
The signature and most popular product: “Oni Bikkuri Manju”
As its name suggests, “Oni Bikkuri Manju” is the shop’s signature product.
It has been made since the shop was founded and is its most popular product.
Oni Bikkuri Manju are bite-sized, oval-shaped steamed manju.
▼They come in white and brown; the brown ones are flavored with brown sugar.
▼Both varieties are filled with smooth red bean paste.
The fluffy dough has a gentle sweetness, and the smooth red bean paste is pleasantly sweet and moist.
Oni Bikkuri Manju are available in boxes of 15 or 32.
| Quantity | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| 15 pieces | 590 yen |
| 32 pieces | 1,150 yen |
Castella in four flavors
Castella is also a popular signature product that has been enjoyed for many years.
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo’s castella comes in four flavors.
All flavors are sold in a half-loaf size.
| Product | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Nagasaki | 670 yen |
| Matcha | 670 yen |
| Chocolate | 670 yen |
| Dainagon | 720 yen |
“Nagasaki” refers to the regular castella flavor.
Popular Western-style confectionery: “Busse”
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo also makes and sells Western-style confections.
Busse is also popular among the Western-style sweets.
There are several varieties, including cream and orange flavors.
All flavors cost 140 yen per piece (tax included).
“Karinto Manju,” sold only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo also makes karinto manju, which is popular.
Karinto manju is sold only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
A box of six costs 220 yen (tax included).
A wide selection of seasonal products
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo also offers seasonal products.
When we visited in early May, the following spring-only products were available.
| Product | Quantity | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberry daifuku | 2 pieces | ¥320 |
| Sakura mochi | 2 pieces | ¥220 |
| Kashiwa mochi | 2 pieces | ¥220 |
| Mugwort daifuku | 2 pieces | ¥240 |
| Bean daifuku | 2 pieces | ¥240 |
| Sweet potato | 2 pieces | ¥220 |
The strawberry daifuku offered a delightful combination of sweet-tart strawberry flavor, chunky red bean paste, and a satisfyingly chewy dough.
According to Nishi of Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo, their summer-only warabi mochi is a popular item.
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo’s warabi mochi comes in five flavors.
- Plain
- Matcha
- Coffee
- Yuzu
- Soy milk
I thought warabi mochi in such a variety of flavors was unusual.
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo was hit by the July 2018 torrential rains
The July 2018 torrential rains caused extensive damage in Soja City as well.
The Tanai district, where Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo is located, was also affected.
The Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo shop was also damaged by the torrential rains.
The Takahashi River, which flows right in front of the shop, overflowed, flooding the premises to a depth of 160–170 centimeters.
Nishi from the shop said that the glass doors were broken, equipment was damaged by the water, and some equipment was swept away.
▼ Vivid photographs showing what it was like at the time remain inside the shop.
Although Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo suffered extensive damage, it was able to resume business safely in November 2018.
“Thanks to the help of so many people, including those who took part in volunteer activities and local residents, we were able to clean up and reopen.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who lent us a hand. With that gratitude in our hearts, we intend to work hard and build the shop anew.”
Nishi expressed their gratitude.
From the Writer
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo leaves a lasting impression with its striking ogre statue.
The Japanese and Western-style sweets made at Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo, led by its Oni Bikkuri manju and castella, are all longtime customer favorites.
Seasonal treats such as strawberry daifuku and warabi mochi are delicious and highly recommended.
They’re a must-try when they’re in season.
Another appealing feature of Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo is how easy it is to stop by, right along a main road.
Be sure to visit when you’re out for a drive or sightseeing.
Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo details
| Name | Oni Bikkuri Manju Honpo |
|---|---|
| Address | 45-1 Tanai, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0866-99-1935 |
| Parking | Available |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Irregular holidays |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Products can be reserved by phone |
| Seating | None |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Accessibility | No steps; wheelchair access available |
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