Okayama exclusive omiyage cake sees Momotaro re-imagined as a Panda

Katanukiya, who have stores in popular locations like Ginza and Tokyo Skytree, are well known in Japan as a manufacturer of omiyage, a Japanese tradition that sees gifts brought back from a trip and typically given to family, friends or work acquaintances.

One of Katanukiya’s most popular omiyage is a “cut-out” cake, which is a baumkuchen (a type of German cake) that is baked carefully in layers and decorated with cutting and printing techniques of the highest level in Japan.

The design allows the outer layer of the cake to be removed from the design at the center, making it a fun and interactive food experience.

These cakes are typically in the shape of popular characters, seen in a recent collaboration with Sanrio, or cute designs that appeal to both adults and children which make them a universally popular gift.

Often found in omiyage stores in train stations across Japan, one of the most popular and common types of “cut-out” cake made by Katanukiya is shaped like a panda.

Many people shopping for omiyage will want to purchase a gift that is specific to the location they have visited and there are always plenty of local options on hand to choose from.

Katanukiya have now began releasing “Local Panda Baumkuchen”, which sees their classic panda “cut-out” cakes take on a region inspired design.

The first of the “Local Panda Baumkuchen” that are set to be released is based on the legend of Momotaro, or “Peach Boy”, which has its roots in the Kibi area of present-day Okayama Prefecture.

The cake will have a mellow peach flavor, said to be reminiscent of peach juice.

Set to go on sale from the 10th of December at Sunste Okayama South Building 2F, which is connected to JR Okayama Station, the Momotaro Local Panda Baumkuchen will be available as a single or 3 piece set.

Single units of the Momotaro Local Panda Baumkuchen will be priced at 594 yen (approx. $3.93 USD/£3.08 GBP), whilst 3 piece sets will be priced at 1,782 yen (approx. $11.78 USD/£9.23 GBP).

Further Local Panda Baumkuchen are set to go on sale in other regions of Japan, with Sapporo, Sendai and Kyoto all due to receive a regional version of the “cut-out” cake.

From the 11th of December, the Shima-Enaga Panda Baumkuchen, which features a Shima-Enaga bird local to Hokkaido, will go on sale at Marui Imai Sapporo Main Store.

On the 17th of December, the Masamune Panda Baumkuchen will go on sale at Sendai Station, in front of the stained glass area.

This is of course based on Date Masemune, the Daimyō of Sendai Domain from 1600–1636.

The final Local Panda Baumkuchen that has been announced for imminent release is the Hannari Panda Baumkuchen. Hannari (はんなり) is a word in the Kyoto dialect which means elegant and gorgeous.

The Kyoto version of the Local Panda Baumkuchen will also be matcha flavored to highlight Kyoto’s heritage as the matcha capital of Japan.

So, if you’re travelling across Japan in the coming months, keep an eye out for the Local Panda Baumkuchen in omiyage stores if you’re visiting any of the destinations listed!

Source, Images: PR Times