Shiga/Omi's Famous Confection 'Akai' Celebrates 60 Years! New 'Akai (Black Sesame)' to be Released Nationwide from April 15 (Wednesday)

Kanou Shojuan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, Representative Director and President: Fuyuki Shibata) will launch a new product, "Akai (Black Sesame)", nationwide from April 15, 2026 (Wednesday), to commemorate the 60th anniversary of its long-selling product "Akai", first released in 1965.

▶Product Details: https://kanou.com/gnaviplus/item/akai/

Famous Confection "Akai" Celebrates 60 Years Since Its Launch

Akai (Black Sesame)

Famous Confection "Akai" Associated with Mii-dera Temple

Kanou Shojuan was founded in September 1958 in Nagara, Otsu City, near Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji Temple). The founder, Seiji Shibata, used to sell confections to tourists on buses in the Mii-dera Temple parking lot. Due to this connection, "Akai" was born in 1965.

At Akai-ya, located next to Mii-dera Temple's Kondo (main hall), a sacred spring is said to have been used for the first bath of the three emperors Tenji, Tenmu, and Jito. In honor of this sacred spring, three mochi cakes were created with a wish for merit, and given the name "Akai."

Even now, 60 years after its launch, it is cherished by many customers across generations as a famous confection reflecting the history of Shiga and Omi.

Kondo (National Treasure) and Akai-ya (Important Cultural Property)｜Photo courtesy of Mii-dera Temple Sacred Spring of Mii｜Photo courtesy of Mii-dera Temple Three Mochi Cakes with a Wish for Merit

Comment (Toshihiko Fuke, Chief Priest of Tendai Jimon Sect Head Temple Mii-dera Temple)

"I remember Seiji Shibata, who founded Kanou Shojuan, visiting my father, who was the chief priest at the time, and asking to create a confection based on the sacred spring 'Akai' of Mii. Since then, it has continued its journey as a famous confection for 60 years. This is truly a joyous occasion. I celebrate this historic Omi confection associated with Mii-dera Temple and sincerely hope that it will continue to be loved."

About "Akai (Black Sesame)"

Fragrant and richly roasted black ground sesame seeds are coated on habutae mochi. Please enjoy it with black sugar syrup made from Okinawan black sugar.

Product Overview

【Product Name】Akai (Black Sesame)

【Sales Period】Year-round sales from April 15, 2026 (Wednesday)

【Sales Locations】All Kanou Shojuan stores

【Price (tax included)】Single item: 249 yen

Akai (Black Sesame) 3 pieces: 810 yen

Akai (Black Sesame) 6 pieces: 1599 yen

【Shelf Life】30 days from manufacturing date

【Specific Raw Materials etc. 28 items】Dairy ingredients, soybeans, sesame

Akai (Black Sesame) 3 pieces

In-store Limited Campaign

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Akai's launch, customers who purchase 3,240 yen (tax included) or more at Kanou Shojuan stores will receive one "Kashi Mikuji" (confectionery fortune slip) that guarantees a prize, which can be exchanged for Japanese confections in-store.

<Campaign Period> April 15, 2026 (Wednesday) - April 28, 2026 (Tuesday)

*Ends when supplies run out

*Excludes some stores, online sales, and phone orders

Kanou Shojuan Co., Ltd. Overview

(1) Trade Name: Kanou Shojuan Co., Ltd. (2) Representative: Fuyuki Shibata, Representative Director and President (3) Headquarters Location: 4-2-1 Oishiryumon, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture (4) Establishment Date: September 1958 (5) Main Business Activities: Manufacturing and sales of Japanese and Western confections, general restaurant business (6) Capital: 79.8 million yen