Toraya will be offering confections named after the Chinese zodiac sign for 2023, "U", and the theme for the beginning of the poetry festival, "Tomo". The following items will be available: "Oriental Zodiac Yokan 'Running Rabbit'," "Oriental Zodiac Package Small Yokan," "Small Yokan 5-pack in a Rabbit Pattern Box," "Nama-gashi 'Yukinaka Rabbit' made with grated yam," "Nama-gashi 'Yume-usagi' made with rice cake," and "Gotame Yokan 'Walking in the Field'".

Gozai Yokan "Running Rabbit

The "Seasonal Zodiac Yokan 'Running Rabbit'" will be available from late November 2022 to mid-January 2023. The price is 1,944 yen for the medium size (tax included, same below) and 3,888 yen for the bamboo skin wrapper.

According to Toraya, the rabbit is adorable and impressive with its small body running around quickly. The image of the rabbit running around as if it is feeling the joy of the coming of the New Year is represented by the red and white colored puréed yokan. The yokan is suitable for the New Year of the Rabbit. Some stores may not carry this product. The product will be discontinued as soon as it is gone.

Oriental Zodiac Package Small Yokan

The "Oriental Zodiac Sign Package Small Yokan" will also be available from late November 2022 to mid-January 2023. The selling price is 292 yen per piece.

Ogura Yokan "Night Plum", Brown Sugar Yokan "Omokage", and Matcha Yokan "Shinryo" will be available in the "Uranus" zodiac sign package. The spring-like background color and the spontaneous and cheerful figure of the rabbit are said to express the wish for a bright and bubbly New Year. The offer will end as soon as they are gone.

Small Yokan 5 pcs. in Rabbit pattern box

Small Yokan 5-packs, rabbit design box" will also be available from late November 2022 to mid-January 2023. The price is 1,620 yen.

This limited time only box was prepared in conjunction with the Chinese zodiac sign for 2023, "Rabbit. It is said to be suitable as a casual gift or for home use. The sale will end as soon as they are gone.

Nama-gashi "Yukinaka Rabbit" made of grated yam

The "Nama-gashi 'Yukichu Usagi' Tororo" will be available at stores selling Nama-gashi in the Kanto and Kyoto areas from December 16, 2022 to January 15, 2023. The price is 508 yen per piece.

White azuki beans scattered on the tokoro-zuki dough represent a wild rabbit prancing around in the snow, and yokan with powdered green tea represents a sprout about to emerge from under the snow. The design is reminiscent of the scenery of the fields and mountains that will soon be welcoming spring.

Nama-gashi "Dream Rabbit" made of rice cake

The "Nama-gashi 'Dream Rabbit' Mochi" will be available at stores that sell nama-gashi from December 16, 2022 to January 15, 2023. The price is 540 yen per piece.

The white rice cake dough is wrapped with a sweet red bean paste and branded with ears and eyes to represent a plump, curled-up sleeping rabbit. The adorable figure is said to look as if it is sleeping peacefully and dreamily.

Gozen Yokan "Walking in the Field

Gozaimu Yokan "No ni Ayumu" will be available from late November 2022 to mid-January 2023. The price is 1,944 yen for the medium size and 3,888 yen for the bamboo skin wrapper.

According to Toraya, this item is named after "Tomo", the title of the "Utakai Hajime" (the first day of the poetry reading) in 2023. According to Toraya, among the "Utakai", where people recite poems on a common theme, the one held by the Emperor is called "Utagokai", and the one held at the beginning of the year is called "Utagokai-hajime", which was changed to "Utagokai-hajime" in 1926 and later.

Since 1888, volunteers from Kyoto's confectionery shops have gathered to display confections named after the poems of the poet's poem.

This time, to ensure that the memories of friends will not fade over time, red and yellow domyoji kan and green neri yokan are used to depict the spring field scene of walking with friends that will always remain in your memory. Some stores do not carry this product, and it will be discontinued as soon as it is gone.

Nama-gashi "Path with Friends" made of grated yam

The "Nama-gashi 'Komichi to Tomo no Komichi' Tororo" will be available at stores selling nama-gashi in the Kanto and Kyoto areas from December 16, 2022 to January 15, 2023. The price is 540 yen per piece.

It is also a confectionery associated with the beginning of the Utakai Festival. The Japanese confectionery Tororo manju is decorated with the scent of red and yellow and a branding iron representing a road, representing the memories of talking with friends along the way. It is said that the vivid colors of red and yellow remind people of a pleasant journey home with friends.