・Directions to Kineya Nikaimachi Main Store

Get off at JR Himeji Station and walk about a 10-minute walk

The store is located in the Nikaimachi Shopping Street, which retains its old-fashioned atmosphere. The shopping street is lined with retro coffee shops and stores, so just walking through it will give you a sense of Japan’s good old days.

・Wagashi Shop Offering Himeji’s Famous Sweets

“Kineya” is a long-established confectionery shop with over 110 years of history and six locations throughout Himeji City.The shop offers a wide range of Himeji’s signature sweets—from traditional Japanese confections to Western-style pastries—including the “Shosha Sennen Sugi” Baumkuchen, inspired by the “thousand-year-old giant cedar” located within the grounds of Shosha-san Enkyo-ji Temple, a popular tourist spot in Himeji. These items are available at all branches and make popular souvenirs.

A particular highlight is the main store, located in the Nikaimachi Shopping District—about a 10-minute walk from JR Himeji Station—where visitors can enjoy a traditional Japanese confectionery-making experience. Artisans provide careful instruction while introducing guests to the unique confectionery culture of this historic castle town.

・Try Your Hand at Making Japanese Sweets!

During the traditional Japanese confectionery-making experience, you can make three types of “nerikiri” that change with the seasons.Nerikiri, often called “sweets to be enjoyed with the eyes,” depict the scenery and events of the four seasons through vivid colors and delicate shapes. Made by kneading white bean paste with mochi dough, it is characterized by its refined sweetness and smooth texture.

On the day of our visit, we took on the challenge of making three types of wagashi, from left to right: “Sara” (to mark the rainy season), “Ajisai” (hydrangea), and “Iwamoru Miz” (clear water trickling from a rock)!

Before making the sweets, we started with an explanation of the different types of wagashi and the culture of traditional Japanese sweets that flourished in Himeji. Learning about their origins beforehand made the experience even more enjoyable.

Once we received the kits containing the dough and filling, it was finally time to shape the sweets. Since the base is already prepared, it’s easy even for beginners and children to give it a try!

The dough is moist and squishy—it feels like soft paper clay.

The instructor’s movements are quick and precise. It’s amazing to hear that a skilled artisan can wrap one in just three seconds.

After using a fine-mesh sieve to create hydrangea petals, we’ll use chopsticks to connect the petals together, crafting delicate blooms.

Apparently, this part is the biggest challenge for those who aren’t used to using chopsticks!?

To finish, a transparent jelly called “kanten” is added as a topping to the completed nerikiri. This “kanten” represents raindrops.

Finally, place it in a takeout box, and it’s complete! You’ll also receive one complimentary Japanese sweet from the shop.

After the workshop, you’re welcome to relax in the shop and savor the Japanese sweet you made, paired with matcha (500 yen). It’s also a great opportunity to enjoy some café time or do a little shopping.

・How to Sign Up and Fees

■ Japanese Sweets Making Experience (Reservation Required)
Session Times: Daily at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Duration: Approximately 40 minutes (depending on the number of participants)
Participants: Minimum of 2 people required. Groups of 20 or more must book at least 3 days in advance.
Fee: 2,800 yen per person
Reservations: By phone or in person
TEL: 079-267-2333 (Reception hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

*Same-day participation is possible if you contact us by mid-morning
*We can accommodate foreign tourists in English, Korean, Chinese, and Thai.

Why not try your hand at making traditional Japanese sweets at “Kineya Nikaimachi Main Store” and experience Himeji’s confectionery culture, which has been carefully nurtured in this castle town?

■Information