The Toorimachi Shopping Street in Tamashima, Kurashiki City, has a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere.
A short walk along the arcade brings you to Tamaido Honpo, founded in 1868. In Tamashima, where tea culture thrives, this long-established Japanese confectionery shop has been loved across generations.
Alongside Tamashima specialties such as “Mizu no Yosama” and “Shirahana Ryokan,” Western-style sweets are also popular, including pound cake generously made with rum-soaked fruit and apples, and waffles with fluffy dough and exceptionally sweet custard cream.
Taking over a long-established Japanese confectionery shop must require considerable resolve. We headed to the shop, hoping to ask its current owner what inspires him to make sweets.
The information presented was accurate when this article was published in May 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
The long-established Japanese confectionery shop Tamaido Honpo and the history of Tamashima
Tamaido began in 1868 as a general goods store.
Due to wartime shortages of ingredients and soaring prices, it began its journey as a Japanese confectionery shop after the war. Tamashima once flourished as a port town, bustling with sailors and merchants coming and going.
Tea culture took root in this lively port town, and Tamaido has a history spanning more than 150 years.
A welcoming shop interior that puts you at ease
When we entered the shop, Mr. Bessho and his lovely, smiling wife welcomed us.
Alongside Tamashima specialties, the display case also features Western-style sweets such as roll cakes and pound cakes.
The classic Japanese sweets are popular, and so are the Western-style ones.
Third-generation owner Bessho Yoshiharu develops products for the times while cherishing tradition
The current owner is third-generation Bessho Yoshiharu.
He studied Western confectionery techniques at a culinary school, then trained at Western confectionery shops and an Italian restaurant in Tokyo after graduating.
While carrying on traditional Japanese confectionery techniques, Mr. Bessho also incorporates new ingredients and methods, pursuing ideas suited to the times.
Tamashima specialties made for generations
Tamaido makes specialties inspired by the local area. Here are three representative varieties.
| Product | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|
| Mizu no Yosama | 184 yen |
| Hachiman | 184 yen |
| Ryokan Manju | 184 yen |
“Mizu no Yosama” is a Japanese sweet named after Mizunoya Katsutaka, lord of Bitchu Matsuyama Castle. It consists of white bean paste and gyuhi (soft rice cake) wrapped in a thin crust.
“Hachiman” is a Japanese sweet named after a local place.
“Ryokan Manju” is a Japanese sweet named after Ryokan, who has ties to Tamashima.
Tamaido has long been cherished by the local community.
Taking over a long-established shop means shouldering more responsibility and burden than you might imagine. While cherishing tradition, Mr. Bessho has forged his own path through developing new products and taking part in local revitalization activities.
We interviewed Mr. Bessho about his approach to making Japanese sweets and his feelings for the local community.
Tamaido Honpo information
| Name | Tamaido Honpo |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-6-14 Tamashima, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-522-2251 |
| Parking | Available There are two parking areas. ・There is a parking lot for shopping street customers just before the shopping street. ・There is one Tamaido Honpo parking space on the right just after entering the shopping street. Vehicles are prohibited from entering the shopping street, so please do not drive beyond the parking area. |
| Hours | 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Open daily |
| Payment methods |
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| Website | Tamaido Honpo official Instagram |
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