Known as “the perfect food for beauty and health” as it’s filled with fibre and vitamins, the Naruto Kintoki sweet potato is Tokushima’s representative special product.

The “kintoki potato” got its name due to the golden yellow hue of its insides (‘kintoki’ contains a character meaning ‘gold’). The special characteristic of the variety is its smooth, refined sweetness, and its warm crumbling texture that resembles that of chestnuts.

Though they’re mainly harvested from around August to September, it is said that the best season to eat them is autumn through winter. The sweet, delicious Naruto Kintoki can be enjoyed all year round.

The Naruto Kintoki variety used to make these sweets is only harvested in a limited region of northern Tokushima prefecture, and no wheat flour is used as filler.

It’s a cute-sized sweet you can finish in 2 or 3 bites. As soon as you bite into it your mouth is wrapped in the sweetness of Naruto Kintoki. It’s crumbling texture is also true to the original Naruto Kintoki.

As they are made using only natural sweetness, they’re popular with people of all ages, and go well with both green tea and coffee, too. Furthermore, as they are made without using any wheat flour, they suit those with a wheat allergy.

The sweet won the main prize at the 25th annual Japanese sweet fair in Hyogo, 2008. In 2013, it was certified by the Tokushima specialty brand, and continues to be ordered by people all over Japan via the online shop.

The sweets are sold by Hallelujah Sweets Kitchen, a factory and direct sales shop developed by the Hallelujah confectionary company, which is also known for Tokushima’s famed Kincho manju.

Hallelujah Sweets Kitchen is located near Tokushima Awaodori airport, and it also has a café where you can find plenty of sweets made with Tokushima ingredients in addition to the Naruto Kintoki Sweet Potato.

Visitors can try the “Tanuki cake making experience” (reservation required. (JPY800)). The sweets are also sold in the JR Tokushima station building’s Clement Plaza’s Atelier Ichi main shop located on the 1st underground floor.

The sweets can be purchased starting from one single-wrapped piece (JPY160). Packages sold range from 6 to 25 piece packages in a total of 6 types. The shop also offers limited edition flavors such as the Matcha Sweet Potato filled with the fragrance of Kyoto’s Uji matcha green tea (from May through the end of August), and the Sweet Marron with chestnut pieces (from September through the end of April).

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Atelier Ichi Hallelujah Sweets Kitchen

Location: Kitakawamukaiyonnokoshi, Hiroshima, Matsushige-cho, Itano district, Tokushima prefecture
Open: 9:30-17:30
Closed: Only on January 1st
Tel: 088-699-7611
https://www.hallelujah-sweets.com (Japanese)

By,
The Setouchi Finder Editors