Bekomochi of Yakumo Town (Photo courtesy of Intelligent Link Inc.)
In Hokkaido and the Tohoku district, bekomochi, a sweet made of rice flour, is popular. This sweet is also eaten on Children’s Day (May 5th) in areas stretching from the southern parts of Hokkaido to the areas along the Sea of Japan.
Bekomochi comes in various shapes, colours and patterns: Leaves and round shapes are popular in various parts of Hokkaido, and some are in the shape of sea cucumbers, as seen in the Shimokita district, Aomori prefecture. In some areas, it is also called kujira-mochi.
There is no doubt that the sweet taste of bekomochi, which is slowly digested although it is small, has continuously been loved by people as a source of energy when they are tired.
Traditional bekomochi found in the Shimokita district
(Photo courtesy of Intelligent Link Inc.)
Colourful bekomochi of the Shimokita district
(Photo courtesy of Intelligent Link Inc.)
Wooden pattern for leaf-shaped bekomochi
(Photo courtesy of Intelligent Link Inc.)
Bekomochi of Haboro Town
(Photo courtesy of Intelligent Link Inc.)
Bekomochi of Obira Town
(Photo courtesy of Intelligent Link Inc.)
Bekomochi of Esashi Town are stuffed with sweet bean paste.
(Photo courtesy of Intelligent Link Inc.)