For those who love Japanese sweets
A traditional sweet made with soft mochi and plenty of soybean flour
Chikaramochi from Miidera Chikaramochi Honke
Boxes, which make great souvenirs, come in packs of 7 to 18. The photo shows the popular 7-pack for 910 yen (left). Convenient home packs are available in packs of 3 to 20, and are also beautifully packaged. 5-pack for 648 yen (right). 
When you open the lid, you'll be surprised at the amount of kinako that completely covers the chikara mochi! You can also mix the remaining kinako with yogurt or milk for a morning dish. Best before: 2 days. 
When you bite into the tiny dumplings, the size of your index finger, you'll be amazed at how soft they are! Enjoy them with plenty of fragrant green soybean flour sprinkled on top.
Founded in 1869 (Meiji 2), Miidera Chikara Mochi has been made in Otsu, Shiga for five generations. Its origins date back to the early Edo period, when it was created in honor of the famous temple Miidera and the superhuman strength of Musashibo Benkei, and it has since become a beloved traditional Otsu specialty.
Every step of the process at Miidera Chikara Mochi Honke has remained unchanged since ancient times, with every step being handmade. Every morning from 5am, domestically produced rice flour is steamed in the store's workshop, carefully pounded, and rolled into bite-sized mochi, which are then skewered in groups of three to form adorable dumplings. Once an order is placed, a special syrup is poured over the surface of the mochi, and then they are generously coated with kinako so that you'll be amazed at how much they add. This beautifully colored "blue kinako" is what makes Chikara Mochi unique, and it is made from green soybeans, matcha, and sugar. It has a subtle sweetness and a pleasant aroma, with a refreshing bitterness that spreads in the aftertaste.
This kinako has many fans, and locals enjoy "reusing" leftover kinako in their own way, such as sprinkling it on grilled rice cakes or making it into ohagi.
Now, when you take a big bite of the skewer, the dreamy softness of the small rice cakes and the subtle sweetness of the kinako combine to create a simple yet incredibly blissful eating experience...!
No additives or preservatives are used. Therefore, the expiration date is two days. Naturally, it will harden the next day. As with the overflowing amount of soybean flour, the store is open from 7am to 7pm, open all year round, with no closing days. I am in awe of their thoughtfulness towards their customers.
It's no wonder that it's loved by locals. It's a traditional Otsu confection that will soothe you with its deliciousness and thoughtfulness.
