Introduced here are products from Hirai Confectionery in Shimoda, Shizuoka, which sells Shimoda Anpan, Mr. Harris' Milk Anpan, and Adult Anpan.
Popular local bread
This popular local bread has been featured on TV, in magazines, and in many other media, but it is not available everywhere, so it will be appreciated if you buy it.
Harris's milk bean-jam buns are No. 1 in popularity
In particular, "Mr. Harris's Milk Anpan" is Hirai Seika's signature product, and is the No. 1 most popular anpan.
Mr. Harris refers to Townsend Harris, the first U.S. Consul General, who loved milk, and it is an ideal souvenir that immediately conveys his trip to Shimoda.
The light weight makes it easy to take home even if you buy a lot, and the individual packages make it easy to distribute.
The volume of the product makes it a great souvenir even if you only give one, and it is a good thing that you can easily give it to your friends or colleagues, regardless of who you are giving it to.
Above all, it is a very tasty bean-jam bun, so I recommend it.
I bought one on the first day of my two-night trip to Shimoda and fell in love with it so much that I had it for breakfast and snacks during the trip and again before I left.
Although it is bean-jam buns, they are light and easy to eat, just right for filling a small stomach.
It was also easy to carry around, making it an ideal snack for travel.
The above three types are standard items that are always on sale, but there are also various other types of anpan, including seasonal ones, available at different times of the year.
Prices for Hirai Seika Shimoda Anpan and Harris's Milk Anpan
Shimoda Anpan 220 yen / 238 yen including tax
Mr. Harris's Milk Anpan 240 yen (259 yen including tax)
Adult anpan: 240 yen (259 yen including tax)
Anpan can be purchased from a single loaf, and all items are reasonably priced at less than 300 yen.
Assortments and comparison sets are also available, so you can choose according to your needs.
Recommended places to eat Hirai Seika's bean-jam buns.
Hirai Seika's anpan can be purchased at four stores (two in Shizuoka and two in Tokyo) and online.
There is no eat-in corner at any of the stores, so you will have to take the food home and enjoy it at home.
Stores where available
In Shizuoka, they can be purchased at the Hirai Confectionery Headquarters in Shimoda City and at the S-Pulse Dream Plaza in Shimizu Ward.
Only two types of bread, Shimoda Anpan and Milk Anpan, are sold at S-Pulse Dream Plaza, and they can be purchased only on Thursdays or Fridays.
Also available in Tokyo
In Tokyo, milk bean paste buns are available at the Akihabara Antenna Shop "Fujinokuni Oishi-Dokoro Shizuoka "Oishizu"", but these are also only sold on Fridays.
Milk anpan and seasonal anpan are available at "Nomono" in Tokyo Station GRANSTA MARUNOUCHI, but these are only sold on Sundays and Mondays.
For this reason, it seems that "Hirai Seika Honten" is the only place to actually choose all kinds of anpan without worrying about the day of the week.
The main store is closed on Tuesdays and open from 9:00 to 18:00.
Online stores are also available as a means to purchase any anpan anytime, anywhere.
How to preserve bean-jam buns
The package stated to avoid direct sunlight, high temperature and humidity, and to store at 25°C or below.
When I bought it, I put it in the refrigerator, but I think it will be fine at room temperature unless it is very hot.
It does not require any special preservation and can be stored like regular bread.
Anpan Expiration Date
It varies slightly depending on the season: 3 days from May to October and 4 days from November to April.
It seems to last slightly longer in the cooler months.
Since the expiration date is a little short for a souvenir, you need to consider when you can give it to the recipient and when to buy it.
I bought it just before I left and gave it as a souvenir to a very close friend who I could give it to as soon as I got back.
The other party was pleased that they enjoyed it for breakfast the next morning.
How to Freeze Anpan
When freezing bean-jam buns, cut them in half and seal them to prevent them from drying out.
The reason for cutting is to ensure that the bean paste is thoroughly heated during thawing.
Freezing without cutting takes longer to heat and makes the bread crumbly and less tasty.
When defrosting, heat it in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds while keeping an eye on it, and you can enjoy delicious bean jam buns.
How to arrange and enjoy anpan (bean-jam buns)
It is delicious eaten as is, but if you warm it up a little in the microwave, it becomes fluffier and tastier.
It can be enjoyed with any beverage, including coffee, black tea, and green tea.
I think it is best to enjoy the taste of the bean-jam bun itself, without adding anything to it as an arrangement.
Calories in Anpan
The calorie content of Hirai Seika's bean-jam buns is roughly 220-250 Kcal.
For example, Shimoda Anpan, which contains only bean paste, has 222 kcal, while Harris' Milk Anpan, which contains bean paste and fresh butter, has 247 kcal.
The calorie content of these products varies slightly back and forth depending on the ingredients used.
If you are concerned, you will need to check the package carefully.
summary
Hirai Seika, which makes delicious anpan, is a long-established company founded in 1948 that also produces dorayaki and monaka.
Anpan with a light and elegant red bean paste is already delicious just by the fact that it is from a Japanese sweets store,
You will want many for souvenirs and for yourself.
The fact that there are seasonal products available at different times of the year is also a fun aspect of this souvenir.
