It's that time of year when you need a gift for your hometown or to say hello to someone in the summer. You want a gift that's delicious, beautiful, and stylish! 

In our annual "Gift Project," the FASHION HEADLINE editorial team picks out favorite shops and gifts that made their hearts flutter when they received them! Imagine the joy on that person's face when they open the wrapping paper and find that special gift.

Takeno to Ohagi

We headed to "Takeno to Ohagi," located about a 10-minute walk from Yutenji Station.
I learned about this shop when a friend gave it to me. I started going there because I wanted to share with others the excitement I felt when I opened the box.


But what exactly are "ohagi"? They're simple Japanese sweets made of glutinous rice wrapped in bean paste, and have long been passed down as offerings to ancestors during the equinox. While they were once seasonal, ohagi can now be enjoyed any time of the year. Takeno to Ohagi offers an evolved version of ohagi that's not just filled with bean paste, but also incorporates a balanced mix of Japanese and Western styles, making them visually stunning.


The shop offers seven different types of ohagi. They offer a rotating selection each day, ranging from classic bean paste to seasonal ohagi that are only available during this time of year.


You can choose from three different sizes of bento boxes depending on the number you purchase.

When you open the lid of the bento box, you'll see beautiful, colorful rice balls...
I was mesmerized by the rice balls, which looked like works of art. I couldn't help but excitedly exclaim, "They're so cute!" and take a look at my camera.


Clockwise from left) Sunflower (white bean paste x dried pineapple and purée x gluten-free chocolate biscuit), Peach and Vanilla Bean (white bean paste x peach purée x vanilla beans x agar coating), Walnut and Nara pickles, bean paste, hemp seeds and kinako (roasted soybean flour) / From 180 yen *Menu changes depending on the season

This lineup will please both fans of Japanese sweets and those who prefer Western sweets, and is also perfect for children! The sweets are not too sweet, so you can fully enjoy the flavor of the ingredients. The smooth bean paste is also delicious! It's no wonder that lines form before opening on weekdays.


Check their Instagram beforehand to see if they have today's ohagi!