The Yamadaya Manju story begins in 1867.
A religious devotee, on a pilgrimage to Shikoku,Japan's fourth largest island,was put up in the house of Genzo Takatsuji, a local merchant.To show his gratitude, the pilgrim taught Genzo how to make manju, a traditional confectionary.
The treat was so tasty that Genzo was convinced that this pilgrim must be an earthly manifestation of the divine protector ofYamada Yakushi Temple in nearby Uwa-cho.That very year, Genzo opened a shop to sell manju made with this mysterious recipe. He called his shop "Yamadaya," in honor of the temple.
And over the next 150 years, the recipe was passed down from father to son to what is now the fifth generation of Takatsuji proprietors.
Yamadaya-manju products are now sold at six directly-owned retail shops, including the Gen Ebisu Store in Tokyo, and through approximately 170 dealers throughout Japan.
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