12 Best Umegae Mochi Shops in Dazaifu: A Local’s 2-Day Taste Test

Hi, it’s Sachi! 🌸
When you visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, you just can’t leave without trying its famous local sweet — Umegae Mochi.

You’ll find so many shops along the approach to the shrine that it’s hard to decide where to buy one. (There are actually more than 20 stores!)
People often ask, “Aren’t they all made from the same ingredients? Do they really taste different?”

So, over two days, I tried Umegae Mochi from 12 different shops—starting from the entrance of the approach all the way up to the shrine itself!
I never got tired of eating them, but fair warning: they’re filling, so pace yourself! 😋

I hope this guide helps you find your favorite shop during your walk around Dazaifu.
You can also use the table of contents below to jump to the stores you’re most interested in. Enjoy your sweet adventure! 🍵✨

What Makes Umegae Mochi Unique?

You might wonder — does Umegae Mochi actually contain plums?
Despite its name, there are no plums inside.
The sweet is named after a legend connected to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning enshrined at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
It has been loved by locals and visitors alike for centuries along the shrine’s approach.

Umegae Mochi is made from just four simple ingredients — rice flour, red beans, sugar, and salt.
Every shop uses chunky red bean paste (tsubu-an) — there are no smooth paste (koshi-an) versions here.
Each shop has its own level of sweetness and crispness, so tasting and comparing them is part of the fun.

They’re pressed and cooked in special metal molds, either hand-grilled or machine-grilled depending on the shop.
Since all of them are grilled right at the storefront, you can enjoy watching how each shop makes them as you stroll along.

The oil used is vegetable-based, meaning Umegae Mochi is a completely plant-based Japanese sweet, safe for vegetarians 🌱

While you can buy them boxed as souvenirs, freshly grilled Umegae Mochi is the best way to enjoy it.
When you say you’d like to “eat while walking,” shops will serve you a piping-hot piece straight from the grill!

As of June 2025, the price is 150 yen per piece at nearly every shop.
Simple, affordable, and deeply flavorful — a treat you shouldn’t miss while exploring Dazaifu. 🍵✨

Let’s Start the Taste Test! 12 Umegae Mochi Shops from Dazaifu Station to Tenmangu Shrine

① Yorozuya（萬屋）— Closest Umegae Mochi Shop to Dazaifu Station

Located right at the entrance of the approach to Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Yorozuya is the closest Umegae Mochi shop to Dazaifu Station — perfect for your first bite.

The outside is crispy and fragrant, while the inside is soft and chewy, with just the right sweetness in the red bean filling.
A perfectly balanced mochi to start your tasting journey.

✔ Recommended for those who love a crispy outer layer.

✔ Ideal for grabbing one right after arriving or as your last treat before heading home.

② Matsuya（松屋） — Enjoy Umegae Mochi with Matcha in a Café Setting

Located near the station, Matsuya features an attached café where you can enjoy your Umegae Mochi with matcha or melon soda.
It’s the perfect stop when you want to take a short break from walking around Dazaifu.

This time, I tried it as a takeaway snack for my tasting walk.

The red bean filling was mildly sweet and easy to eat, while the outside had a light, crisp texture.
A refined and well-balanced flavor overall.

✔ Recommended for those who like a lightly crispy surface.

✔ Great place to sit down and enjoy Umegae Mochi with tea in a relaxing café atmosphere.

③ Matsuo Shoten（松尾商店） — Gentle, Homemade Flavor

With its nostalgic storefront, Matsuo Shoten offers Umegae Mochi that feels truly homemade and comforting.

The outer layer is slightly thicker, giving it a pleasantly chewy texture, while the red bean filling has a gentle, homemade sweetness.
It’s the kind of flavor that makes you feel relaxed and warm inside.

✔ Recommended for those who love soft and chewy mochi with a handmade touch.

④ Kakuda Shoten（かくだ商店） — Hand-Grilled with a Simple, Nostalgic Taste

Located just across from Matsuo Shoten, Kakuda Shoten is known for its hand-grilled Umegae Mochi, each piece carefully cooked one by one.

It has a beautiful golden surface, with the perfect balance of chewy texture and roasted aroma.
A simple, nostalgic flavor that captures the charm of traditional Dazaifu.

✔ Perfect balance of chewiness and crispness — a nostalgic homemade taste you’ll remember.

⑤ Tenmaya（天満屋） — Richly Toasted Flavor Like a Grilled Mochi

Tenmaya stands out for its richly toasted aroma and variety of payment options — yes, they even accept credit cards!

Among all the shops I tried, this one had the most fragrant, grilled-mochi flavor.
The inside red bean paste was delicious and well-balanced, and fun fact — this was my husband’s favorite! 💕

✔ Recommended for those who love toasty, chewy Umegae Mochi with a deep roasted flavor.

⑥ Kasanoya（かさの家） — The Most Famous Umegae Mochi Shop in Dazaifu

Kasanoya is probably the most famous Umegae Mochi shop in Dazaifu, and there’s always a line in front of it.
When I visited around 2 p.m. on a weekday, I could buy from other shops without waiting — but this one still had a queue!
The good news is that the line moves quickly, so you won’t have to wait long.

sorry, the filling isn’t visible 💦

The mochi was soft and chewy with a moderate sweetness — even though it was the last one I tried that day, it didn’t feel heavy at all.

✔ Recommended for those who want to try the most popular, long-established Umegae Mochi shop in Dazaifu.

⑦ Sakadoya（酒殿屋） — Delicious Chunky Red Bean Paste & More Than Just Umegae Mochi!

Sakadoya not only sells Umegae Mochi, but also has a restaurant next door serving oyakodon (chicken & egg rice bowl), katsudon, and soba noodles — all popular with locals and visitors alike.
You can also enjoy plum-flavored soft serve ice cream, a Dazaifu specialty! 🍦

The mochi itself felt a bit softer than others I tried, while the red bean paste was chunky yet smooth, with a deliciously balanced sweetness.
(It was so hot that I had to hold it in a weird way! 💦)

A big difference here is the distinct plum-shaped branding mark on top — some shops’ marks are faint, but Sakadoya’s is clear and photo-worthy!

✔ Recommended for those who prefer a soft texture.

✔ Great for photos thanks to the clear plum imprint.

✔ Don’t miss their plum soft serve ice cream too! 🌺

⑧ Kikuchi（きくち） — Crispy Outside, Perfect Match with Sweet Red Bean Filling

On Sunday, Kikuchi was packed with customers and had a long line in front of the shop.
Many people were also buying Umegae Mochi to take home as souvenirs, showing how popular this shop really is.

The outside was crispy and fragrant, with a firm, chewy mochi layer inside.
The sweet red bean paste matched perfectly with the texture of the mochi — a delicious balance of crispness and sweetness.

✔ For those who love crispy texture and sweet red bean filling.

✔ Great choice if you want to try one of the most popular Umegae Mochi shops!

⑨ Kanoya（かのや） — Watch the Mochi Being Grilled & Try the Refreshing Dazaifu Squash!

At Kanoya, you can enjoy both Umegae Mochi and a unique local drink called Dazaifu Squash — a fizzy plum soda filled with chunks of fresh fruit.
It’s colorful, refreshing, and the perfect match for a warm day in Dazaifu! 🍑🍋

This shop also had a line on Sunday, but watching the staff hand-grill each mochi made the wait go by quickly.
The mochi had a lightly crispy surface and a soft, fluffy center, with a mild sweetness that felt just right.

✔ Perfect balance between crispy and fluffy texture.

✔ Don’t miss their Dazaifu Squash — fruity, sparkling, and delicious!

⑩ Teradaya（寺田屋） — Near the Shrine Gate, Famous for Both Umegae Mochi and Pickled Plums

Located right next to the torii gate of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Teradaya is known not only for its Umegae Mochi but also for its wide selection of pickled plums (umeboshi), which can be purchased individually.

Their Umegae Mochi is quite unique — it has almost no browning on the surface, giving it a beautiful white appearance.
The texture is soft and chewy, and the red bean paste is mildly sweet, making it very easy to enjoy.

✔ Known as the “white Umegae Mochi” for its pale, no-bake look.

✔ Recommended for those who prefer soft, chewy texture with light sweetness.

⑪ Amagiya（甘木屋） — Crispy and Fragrant! Also Known for Its Roasted Chestnuts

Located across from Teradaya, Amagiya sells not only Umegae Mochi but also roasted chestnuts, especially popular in autumn. 🌰

The Umegae Mochi here has a deeply toasted surface with a crispy, fragrant exterior, while the red bean filling is on the sweeter side.
A perfect combination for those who enjoy a rich, roasted flavor.

✔ Recommended for fans of sweet red bean paste and crispy, fragrant mochi.

✔ Try their roasted chestnuts too — a perfect seasonal treat!

⑫ Yasutake（やす武） — Elegant Atmosphere & Popular Plum Cider

Yasutake stands out with its elegant storefront and refined atmosphere.
The packaging is beautifully designed, making it a great spot for those who love taking photos of their treats. 📸

The Umegae Mochi here has a crispy, well-browned surface, especially fragrant when freshly grilled.
The red bean paste is mildly sweet, offering a light and elegant flavor that pairs perfectly with the crisp texture.
If you prefer “crisp” over “chewy,” this one will be your favorite!

They also sell plum cider, a refreshing and slightly tangy drink that goes perfectly with the mochi — highly recommended! 🍹

✔ Perfect for those who enjoy crispy texture and mild sweetness.」

✔ Don’t miss their refreshing plum cider!

🍴 Tips for Enjoying the Umegae Mochi Walk

It’s best to share and taste together — that way you can try more shops without getting too full! 😋

Freshly grilled is always the best, so eat it right after you buy it.
If you’re taking some home, reheat it in the microwave to bring back the softness and aroma.

And be careful not to overdo it — after several shops, you’ll start to feel surprisingly full! (Trust me, I did. 😂)

Special Days: The 17th and 25th of Every Month!

Did you know that on the 17th and 25th of each month, you can enjoy special versions of Umegae Mochi in Dazaifu?

The 17th — “Kyuhaku Day” (Ancient Rice Umegae Mochi)

On the 17th, shops sell Umegae Mochi made with ancient rice (kodai-mai), giving the mochi a beautiful purplish hue.
This tradition began in 2015 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Kyushu National Museum, and it became so popular that it continues every month on the 17th!

The 25th — “Tenjin-sama Day” (Mugwort Umegae Mochi)

On the 25th, which marks both the birthday and memorial day of Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning, you can enjoy mugwort (yomogi) Umegae Mochi.
These special sweets are made only on this sacred day to honor the god enshrined at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

Conclusion: Find Your Favorite Umegae Mochi in Dazaifu

If you happen to visit Dazaifu on one of these dates, don’t miss the chance to try these limited-edition Umegae Mochi! 🌸

Each Umegae Mochi in Dazaifu has its own charm — simple, traditional, yet surprisingly different from shop to shop.
That’s what makes tasting and comparing them so much fun!

As you stroll through the streets of Dazaifu, take your time to find your favorite “Umegae Mochi” — your own little discovery from this sweet town.

If you’re not sure where to start, use this guide to enjoy a tasty walking tour through Dazaifu’s charming approach to the shrine. 🍡✨

I tried Umegae Mochi from several shops in Dazaifu and picked my personal Top 3 favorites.
Check them out if you’re planning to visit!