A new limited-edition petit gift is coming to Hakone to celebrate the first anniversary of "Yawahada Yumochi," a beloved treat from Chimoto's Takidori Honten shop. Starting April 12, 2026 (Sunday), the shop will offer a "Yumochi 3-Pack Petit Gift (Kaori to,)" for 940 yen (tax included), featuring artwork by Japanese painter Choji Beniko — limited to 20 boxes per day, available through December 31, 2026 (Thursday).
The Yumochi Petit Gift
The petit gift box features Choji Beniko's painting Kaori to, ("Fragrance and,"), a work created in response to the soft texture and gentle yuzu scent of "Yumochi." At the Takidori Honten shop, customers can enjoy "Yawahada Yumochi" — the freshest, most tender version of the mochi — right at the counter, while the classic "Yumochi" wrapped in bamboo skin remains available as a take-home souvenir.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Yumochi 3-Pack Petit Gift (Kaori to,) [Limited to 20 per day] |
| Price | 940 yen (tax included) |
| Best-by | 4 days |
| Sales Location | Takidori Honten (10:00 AM–3:00 PM, while supplies last) |
| Sales Period | April 12, 2026 (Sun) – December 31, 2026 (Thu) |
The Story Behind "Yawahada Yumochi"
Choji Beniko, an up-and-coming Japanese painter, was struck by the softness of "Yumochi" and its refreshing yuzu fragrance. Her painting Kaori to, was inspired by the confection's founding concept — "a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth sweet reminiscent of the silky skin after a dip in Hakone's hot springs" — which is also the origin of the name "Yumochi."
"Yawahada Yumochi" was born from that collaboration, presented as an art experience for all five senses. It offers the freshly made, unwrapped mochi — before it is tucked into bamboo skin — so visitors can enjoy the treat at its most delicate and aromatic. Since its launch, it has sold out by midday every day, becoming a signature item at the shop.
About Yumochi
"Yumochi" has been Chimoto's hallmark confection since the shop's founding. Made from domestic shiratamako (white rice flour) kneaded into a pillowy soft mochi, filled with a ribbon of nerikiri-style yokan (sweet bean paste), and lightly scented with yuzu, the sweet reflects the flavors of this citrus-rich region. Its elegant bamboo-skin wrapping evokes the spirit of a journey, and the treat has long been treasured as a souvenir for visitors to Hakone.
"Yawahada Yumochi" presents the same mochi before wrapping, so guests can experience the texture at its most vivid and immediate.
Store Information
Chimoto Takidori Honten
- Address: 509 Yumoto, Hakone-machi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 250-0311
- Hours: 10:00 AM–3:00 PM (closes when confections sell out)
- Closed: New Year's Day and approximately 5 days per year
- Official Website: https://www.yumochi.com/
