Uchiwa Sembei (Japanese fan rice cracker) by Kato Kouyou-do, Kaga Shikishi Honpo

A lovely Japanese confectionery that evokes the feeling of summer. Kato Kouyou-do's Uchiwa Sempei (fan rice cracker) is a cute summery wagashi (Japanese confectionery). The purchase price is 850 yen (tax not included).

The package is a soothing shade of white and green, accented with a red ribbon. The surface of the package is hollowed out in the shape of an Uchiwa fan, a clever design that shows the rice cracker inside as the color and pattern of an Uchiwa fan. If you see it in a store, you will be tempted to pick it up.


Each rice cracker is individually wrapped and comes in a pack of 8 pieces. There were 5 different patterns in the package. The transparent bag like Japanese paper is also nice.


There are two shapes of Uchiwa, round and square, each about the size of a palm. The miniature Uchiwa is a rice cracker attached to the handle of a toothpick. They look so much like food that you would not even recognize them if you were not told they were food. When you try it out, the wind will gently caress your cheeks.


The rice crackers are made of refined glutinous rice and coated with honey, and designed with summer flowers, birds, winds, and the moon. Each rice cracker is handmade and dried naturally, and each piece is painted carefully. Just looking at them will give you a feeling of elegance.


The rice crackers are thin and crispy, with a moist texture similar to the skin of a monaka. As it absorbs moisture in the mouth, it delicately unravels, spreading the sweetness of wasanbon. The taste is as elegant as the appearance.


Uchiwa Sempei" has a taste typical of Kanazawa, the ancient capital of Japan. It is also a good way to cool off with a sweet Uchiwa.