On March 21st, a Japanese confectionery shop “Vegetables, Fruits and Japanese Sweets Tasuki” (Sakuraba, Hirosaki City, TEL 0172-40-2824 ) opened in the Higashimeya district of Hirosaki.

We offer creative confectionery with a Japanese theme and oyaki made with ingredients from Tsugaru. The owner, Takako Yonezawa, is from the same area and made a U-turn from Tokyo about 10 years ago. “I had a dream of opening my own restaurant in my hometown,” says Yonezawa. Mr. Yonezawa, who loves ekiden, named the shop with the meaning that the three staff members pass the sash to each other.

Their flagship product, Tsugaru Oyaki, was inspired by Nagano Oyaki. “When people think of oyaki in Tsugaru, they think of Imagawa-yaki, but in Nagano, the home of oyaki, it’s a local dish in which various ingredients are wrapped in a thinly stretched skin,” he says. "Our 'Tsugaru oyaki' contains local ingredients such as Kakenojiru (bake soup) and Meya tofu. It's also great as a snack or when you're feeling a bit hungry."

The store opened on the site of a dispensing pharmacy. The interior of the store was renovated with a Japanese image, and showcases used in dispensing pharmacies were used. Mr. Yonezawa said with a smile, "The air-conditioning equipment is still there, but there is a place for medical records, so there is no problem with storage." Currently, it is only takeout, but they plan to create an eat-in space in the future.

"Tsugaru Oyaki" (various 280 yen) prepares a frozen gift box (5 pieces = 1,400 yen, 6 pieces = 1,680 yen). Mitarashi candy cup dango (various 380 yen), kuzumochi pudding (various 480 yen), amazake (sweet sake) (430 yen), and fruit-filled dorayaki (480 yen) are also available. “Because we are particular about using local ingredients, the menu changes according to the season,” says Yonezawa.

Prior to the opening, events have been held at roadside stations and markets since January. Mr. Yonezawa shows his willingness to "let it take root little by little." “The reason why we opened the store in the suburbs rather than in the city is because we want people to enjoy the trip to the store as well. Higashimeya is located in the middle of the road leading from Hirosaki to the Shirakami Mountains, and you can enjoy the seasonal scenery of Mt. Iwaki and the Iwaki River. It's fun. I hope you can visit while being healed by the nature along the way."

Business hours are from 10:00 to 16:00. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.