I Stimulated My Five Senses with Nama Yatsuhashi

I know 'mochi-mochi' is the correct term, but I dare to call it 'muchi-muchi' (plump/supple). The squishy resistance you feel when you press it between your lips feels more 'muchi' than 'mochi' to me. I realized that Nama Yatsuhashi is a wonderful food where you can enjoy a smooth texture and a plump, supple texture at the same time.

Anyway, on my way back from the Expo, I bought Nama Yatsuhashi at Shin-Osaka Station without hesitation. It's a staple of school trips to Kyoto and a classic souvenir, but because it has a short shelf life, it's a bit ephemeral. I don't mean the flat sheets; I mean the kind with the red bean paste inside.

Even though there are many Hokkaido antenna shops in my local area, there are absolutely no Kyoto products, so it might have been about 10 years since I last ate Nama Yatsuhashi, which has such a short shelf life.

Speaking of Hokkaido, my mother once worked hard to air-freight kelp back from Otaru, only to find the exact same product at our local station's antenna shop. And just the other day, I brought back a scallop-flavored item from Asahikawa that a hotel staff member recommended to me, only to find it was already available locally. Hmm, Kanagawa is well-blessed with Hokkaido goods.

But what about Kyoto? Why does it feel so far away...? The last time I went was during the pandemic when it was very empty, and I imagine it must be incredibly crowded now... I wanted to visit while I was at the Expo, but I'll settle for Nama Yatsuhashi.

Back to the main point: Nama Yatsuhashi has a smooth surface, it's 'mochi-mochi' (using 'mochi' instead of 'muchi' here) when you pinch it with your fingers, and it's pleasant how it indents slightly and your fingers sink in when you hold it. Plus, looking at the nutritional information on the bag, it's low in fat, which makes me feel less guilty!

And when I take a bite, I like the subtle sweetness, but I especially love that there are few other foods with this texture. As someone who likes Lawson's 'Doramocchi,' I quite enjoy things like strawberry daifuku, so I'm a fan of chewy foods, but it's been a while since I've had a food that is thin, lacks bulk, and feels so pleasant to hold between my lips. The feeling of it indenting just about 2 millimeters is delightful.

I never thought it was a food that would stimulate my sense of touch with such smooth, plump, and chewy sensations. I bought it out of nostalgia and longing, but it was a grateful experience.

I still have one more bag left, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow!