Kuria Kikai Co., Ltd. (Gifu Prefecture), which manufactures and sells chestnut-processing machinery, operates the Japanese chestnut sweets specialty store RICO DOLCE in Yamagata-shi, Gifu Prefecture. RICO DOLCE will release a new product, Kogane-ju HAKURI, built around housemade chestnut kernels that have earned praise from Michelin three-star restaurants in Japan and a "3-Year Aged Chestnut" reached after seven years of research.
Since its founding, RICO DOLCE has focused on delivering the true deliciousness of chestnuts. To bring out the chestnut's aroma, sweetness, and smooth melt-in-the-mouth texture to the fullest, the brand has faced each kernel individually and kept refining its own processing technique. The chestnut kernels born from that technique have earned high praise even from Michelin three-star restaurants in Japan.
Now, that technique, combined with seven years of research, comes together in a single product: Kogane-ju HAKURI is complete.
Seven Years of Research Behind an Unprecedented Flavor: "3-Year Aged Chestnut"
Seeking a way to bring out even more of the chestnut's deliciousness, RICO DOLCE spent seven years on trial and testing.
The answer it arrived at was to let time work in its favor.
Aging the chestnuts carefully for three years in an optimal environment produces a refined sweetness with the edges smoothed away, a deep aroma, and a texture that seems to melt away.
A new flavor cultivated by time, without losing the chestnut's original character — that is RICO DOLCE's "3-Year Aged Chestnut."
Kogane-ju HAKURI — A New Way to Let Chestnut Take Center Stage
Kogane-ju HAKURI is a new product that puts the chestnut kernels themselves in the spotlight.
Golden kernels arranged edge to edge across the top give it a beauty reminiscent of gold leaf, which is the inspiration for the name "Hakuri" (箔栗, meaning gold-foil chestnut).
Because the chestnut kernels are of the highest quality, the team wanted to present that beauty just as it is. With that in mind, they deliberately kept decoration to a minimum, letting the chestnut's own presence stand out.
A flavor where every single kernel takes the lead
Beneath the chestnut kernels are layers of Kaga bou-hojicha (roasted twig tea) blancmange, housemade Japanese chestnut cream, housemade candied chestnut, and housemade gyuhi with fresh cream. None of these ingredients is meant to be the star — they are combined to bring out the best in the chestnut kernels.
The recommended time to enjoy it is right after thawing, the moment the chestnut kernels are at their smoothest and most delicious. Because the kernels absorb moisture from the layers below over time and the texture changes, it's best enjoyed as close to freshly thawed as possible.
Comment from Patissier Mai Hanamura
What I'm aiming for is to create sweets that let people truly enjoy the real deliciousness of chestnuts.
The chestnut's natural aroma and sweetness, and its delicate melt-in-the-mouth texture, are the ingredient's own great appeal. Wanting to preserve that appeal as much as possible and deliver every kernel in its best condition, I face chestnuts every day.
The "3-Year Aged Chestnut," reached through seven years of research, and the chestnut kernels finished with our own method — Kogane-ju HAKURI is the product that expresses that technique in its simplest form.
Through this single box, I hope more people come to know the wonder of the Japanese chestnut culture that Gifu is proud of. RICO DOLCE will keep pursuing the true deliciousness of chestnuts and carrying the appeal of Gifu's Japanese chestnut culture into the future.
Reservations Open July 20 at the Official Online Shop
Ahead of this year's chestnut season, pre-orders open on Monday, July 20, 2026, so customers can enjoy Kogane-ju HAKURI as early as possible. Reservations can be made through the RICO DOLCE official online shop or in person at RICO DOLCE stores.
Store Information
Gifu Main Store
330-5 Sano, Yamagata-shi, Gifu
TEL: 0581-78-5887
Nihonbashi Store
3-6-7 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 101
TEL: 03-3246-5007
