Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan｜Eguchidango Honten

A beautiful cafe to visit. Actually two cafes aside by side, same owner, one a traditional Japanese tea house and the other a modern tea house where you can have cake and coffee. My wife and I visited both in one day and met the friendly 3rd generation owner. We hope anyone reading this will get to meet him too one day.

This is a dango shop with an atmosphere like a museum that you can enjoy with your own eyes. I used to be able to enjoy meals there, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is now a sweets shop. The ``sazare stone'' that appears in Kimigayo's lyrics was in the garden. I ate the Sencha and Goshiki Dango set, the Matcha and Goshiki Dango set, and the Anmitsu set. When it rains, the view through the window frame is even more beautiful.

In the parking lot, I could smell the good smell of glutinous rice being cooked, and I could see the bamboo dumplings being made by hand in the store. The fragrance of the bamboo leaves, the sweetness of the bean paste, and the firmness of the mochi are well balanced. Mitarashi dango felt a little salty with soy sauce. I don't think it's embarrassing to give it to anyone as a souvenir, but the expiration date was 3 days at room temperature.