It's that time of year when you need to bring back souvenirs for when you go home or as a summer greeting. In our annual "Souvenir Project," the FASHION HEADLINE editorial team picks out the stores they always shop at and gifts that made their hearts flutter when they received them!

This time, we'll be introducing "Tarafuku Monaka," a must-see for cat lovers, sold at "Okashitsukasa Shirakaba," a Japanese confectionery shop in Kinshicho, Tokyo.

Okashiya Shirakaba "Tarafuku Monaka"

Founded in 1950, "Okashiya Shirakaba" is a popular local Japanese confectionery shop that offers handmade Japanese sweets made with safe ingredients under the motto of "a delicious Japanese confectionery shop that you can casually drop in to." One of their most popular items is the "Tarafuku Monaka" (1,350 yen including tax / 1 box contains 6 pieces), a monaka (sweet beckoning cat) featuring an adorable, reclining maneki-neko (beckoning cat) motif.


When you open the red box, you'll find six beckoning cats lying down. Their "cute and laid-back" appearance will have you smiling without even realizing it.


Their plump bellies are filled with bean paste made from rare Hokkaido white azuki beans, also known as "white diamonds." The rich umami and light flavor of white azuki beans go perfectly with the crispy, light, and fragrantly baked mochi skin. The moderate sweetness allows you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of the azuki beans, making it the perfect accompaniment to tea on a hot summer day. It's so delicious you'll find yourself reaching for another one before you know it.

Why not send a summer greeting with a gift that will bring you both good fortune and deliciousness?