Anyone who has visited Hokkaido has surely seen the iconic floral paper bags. It's no exaggeration to say that Rokkatei, best known for its "Marusei Butter Sand," is a legend among Hokkaido's famous confections. In this article, we'll introduce the origins of Rokkatei, its dedication to confectionery making, and four of its most iconic sweets.

Rokkatei, now synonymous with Hokkaido's famous sweets, was founded in 1933. It first began in Tokachi-Obihiro.

The predecessor, Obihiro Senshuan, founded in 1933

From its inception, Rokkatei has strived to create snacks that people won't tire of eating daily, build shops that customers want to visit every day, and set prices that are affordable with pocket money. From a local confectionery shop, it has grown into a leading sweets manufacturer representing Hokkaido, loved by many both inside and outside the prefecture.

The lineup of sweets is diverse, not confined to the categories of Japanese or Western confectionery. Some stores also have tearooms, offering special sweets and food menus.

The Sapporo Main Store, a 5-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station. In addition to the shop and tearoom, it also houses a chamber music hall and a gallery.

Toyoshiro Oda, the founder of Rokkatei, often said, "If the sweets aren't selling, it's because they're not delicious." According to a company spokesperson, "Rokkatei's pride lies in offering a quality that we can confidently stand by, from a taste that we find delicious ourselves, to the product name, packaging design, and the final presentation."

The spokesperson continued, "Since our products are consumed by our customers, we adhere to a policy of making safe and secure sweets. This includes selecting ingredients that have long been used in home kitchens so as not to affect health, and thorough quality control in terms of hygiene."

Rokka no Mori in Nakasatsunai Village, Tokachi. It was created with the desire to make a forest full of the wildflowers depicted on the floral wrapping paper.

Rokkatei's signature product, the Marusei Butter Sand

When you think of Rokkatei's signature product, the "Marusei Butter Sand" comes to mind, a treat almost everyone has tried at least once. This sweet was one of the confections launched to commemorate the company's name change from Obihiro Senshuan to Rokkatei. It was created with the sentiment that even with a new name, Rokkatei's core remains in its founding place, Obihiro, and with gratitude for the support of its local customers. The name pays homage to Benzo Yoda, the pioneer of the Tokachi region, and was inspired by "Marusei Butter," the first butter produced in Tokachi by the Banseisha, the pioneer group he led.

The cream is made with 100% fresh Hokkaido milk butter and white chocolate, creating a flavor unique to Rokkatei. The biscuits are made with a special flour milled exclusively for Rokkatei to achieve a perfect balance with the rich butter cream. The trinity of the moist biscuit, butter cream, and raisins is so delicious it's sure to bring a smile to your face.

Marusei Butter Sand, 5-piece box for 870 yen

But that's not the only product that forms the backbone of Rokkatei. It's a little-known fact, but Rokkatei was the first company in Japan to produce and sell white chocolate.

During a visit to Europe, the founder noticed that even very small confectionery shops were making and selling chocolate as a matter of course. He sensed that an era of chocolate was coming to Japan and quickly invested in the necessary equipment. "Now that we have the equipment, we must create something only our company can make." With this in mind, he took on the challenge of producing white chocolate, reminiscent of Hokkaido's snow, and in 1968, white chocolate was born.

White Chocolate, designed to look like a railroad tie, 145 yen per bar

The white chocolate, characterized by its rich flavor made from Hokkaido milk, is a classic product in its own right. At the same time, it is used as an accent in other sweets, such as the butter cream in "Marusei Butter Sand," the cream in "Shimodatami," and the cream in "Yukiya Konko." In a way, it is the unsung hero that supports all of Rokkatei's confections.

Speaking of long-selling products, we must mention "Choco Marron." This product boasts a strong following, especially among local customers.

Choco Marron, a sophisticated treat with a hint of rum, 3-piece box for 540 yen

A chestnut paste is sandwiched between cocoa biscuits and coated with milk chocolate, a masterpiece of chocolate balance. To ensure the coating isn't too thick and that the surface has a beautiful finish, the coating process is still done by hand. Perhaps it's this meticulous handiwork that continues to captivate its fans.

While some products have been loved for a long time, new ones are also being created. "Genten," which was just released in July 2025, is one of them.

When you put it in your mouth, the thin white chocolate melts, and a luscious strawberry sauce oozes out. "Genten (Strawberry)"

As mentioned earlier, "White Chocolate" is a product of special significance to Rokkatei. Furthermore, the "Strawberry Choco," launched in 1999, was another product that helped spread Rokkatei's name nationwide, second only to the "Marusei Butter Sand." "Strawberry Choco" is freeze-dried strawberries coated in chocolate, and strawberries are also an indispensable ingredient in Rokkatei's confectionery making.

New release for 2026, "Genten (Blueberry)," 4-piece box for 500 yen

The process of shaping this sauce into a round form is also done entirely by hand. "Of course, it's not that manual work is inherently better; we have many production lines that use machines in our factories. In terms of productivity, machines are undoubtedly more efficient. However, when we ask ourselves, 'Can we proudly display this in our stores as truly delicious?'—a standard we've held since our founding—we find that there are aspects of achieving the ideal taste and appearance that can only be accomplished by human hands," explains the spokesperson.

Led by the "Marusei Butter Sand," Rokkatei has introduced numerous famous confections to the world, earning its reputation as Hokkaido's top confectionery maker. Behind its long-lasting popularity lies the dedication of people who always return to their roots and create sweets with heartfelt sincerity.

*All prices listed include tax.
*The information provided is current as of the article's publication date. It may change, so please check the official website for the latest information.