December 31st 2024.
When it comes to wafers, there's no denying their allure. And that's especially true for our Japanese reporter, Mr. Sato, who has a deep love for these sweet treats since he was a child. Growing up in a rural town, there weren't many options for indulging in sweets, so his opportunities to enjoy wafers were limited to special occasions, like when he would have them as a topping on a parfait. But luckily for him, as an adult, he has found the perfect place to satisfy his childhood cravings: the Hiratsuka Seika Factory Shop.
This confectionery shop has been around for over 120 years, first opening its doors in Kyoto in 1901 before moving to Tokyo. After World War II, they shifted their focus to chocolate, but have continued to make wafers and other baked goods. Today, there are two factory shop locations near Tokyo, one in Soka, Saitama Prefecture, and the other in Katori, Chiba Prefecture. Mr. Sato recently took a trip to the Soka shop and was excited to see what they had to offer.
After a short train ride on the Tobu Line and a 10-minute walk, Mr. Sato arrived at the shop. He couldn't miss the large sign with the factory's name and the brightly lit entrance. Due to its popularity, the shop only allows eight people inside at a time, but luckily for Mr. Sato, there were only a few people there when he visited. For those driving, there are a few reserved parking spaces nearby, but it's recommended to take public transportation, especially on weekends.
Upon entering, Mr. Sato was greeted by a sign showcasing the three most popular products at the shop: homemade mixed chocolates, rum raisin cream sandwich cookies, and sablé cookies. It was a helpful guide for first-time visitors like himself. He took a walk around the shop, taking in all the different treats on display. He was especially excited to find chocolate-covered, cream-filled wafers, but then he saw something even more intriguing. It looked like large wooden boards, but after reading the sign, he realized they were actually giant uncut wafers for only 550 yen! The sign even mentioned that they were cream-filled and caramel-flavored, perfect for pairing with ice cream. Mr. Sato was torn. He had a weakness for comically large food and drinks, but he was worried about transporting these delicate wafers back to the SoraNews24 office in Shinjuku.
Thankfully, after speaking with a shop worker, Mr. Sato was given a sturdy cardboard box to protect his precious cargo. It was a bit oversized, but it was the only thing that would fit the wafers without bending them. With his mission to transport the wafers safely accomplished, Mr. Sato hopped back on the train and one and a half hours later, he was back at the office, ready to unbox his treasure. It was a nerve-wracking experience, but thankfully, the wafers were still intact.
With his childhood dream now in his hands, Mr. Sato couldn't wait to indulge in these wafers. As he took a bite, he was hit with the sweet scent of caramel. The crunch of the wafer and the creamy filling were everything he remembered from his childhood. As a kid, he would always save the wafers on his parfait for last, but now, at the young age of 51, he could enjoy as many as he wanted. In addition to the giant wafers, he also bought some mixed chocolates, shortbread sablés, dark chocolate, and rum raisin cream sandwich cookies as souvenirs. It was safe to say that his immediate gastronomic future was looking very sweet.
For those wanting to try these giant wafers for themselves, the Hiratsuka Seika Factory Shop is currently closed for the New Year's holidays in Japan, but will reopen on January 6. In the meantime, if you're in need of a sweet fix, perhaps Starbucks Japan's new Bouquet Frappuccino can satisfy your cravings. And if you want to stay up to date on all the latest articles from SoraNews24, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Happy snacking!
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