Anyone visiting Hokkaido has surely seen the iconic floral paper bags. It's no exaggeration to call Rokkatei, famous for its 'Marusei Butter Sand,' a legend among Hokkaido's signature sweets. In this article, we'll explore the origins of Rokkatei, its dedication to confectionery, and introduce four of its most iconic treats.

Rokkatei, now synonymous with Hokkaido's famous confections, 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 can enjoy every day without getting tired of them, like home-style treats. They focused on creating shops that people would want to visit daily and set prices that could be easily paid with pocket money. From a local confectionery, it has now grown into a representative sweets manufacturer of 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 a café, offering special sweets and food menus.

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

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

The spokesperson continued, "Since our products are consumed by our customers, we have established guidelines for safe and secure confectionery making. 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, 'Marusei Butter Sand'

When you think of Rokkatei's signature product, the 'Marusei Butter Sand' comes to mind, a treat that almost everyone has tried at least once. This product was one of the sweets released to commemorate the company's name change from Obihiro Senshuan to Rokkatei. It was created with the sentiment that even though the company name changed, Rokkatei's core remains in its founding place, Obihiro, and with gratitude for being nurtured by the customers of Obihiro. The name pays homage to Benzo Yoda, the pioneer of Tokachi, and was developed based on 'Marusei Butter,' the first butter produced in Tokachi by the pioneer group Banseisha, which he led.

The cream uses 100% fresh milk butter from Hokkaido, and white chocolate is added to create Rokkatei's unique flavor. To perfectly balance this rich butter cream, the biscuits are made with a special flour milled exclusively for Rokkatei. The trinity of the moist biscuit, butter cream, and raisins creates a deliciousness that will bring a smile to your face.

'Marusei Butter Sand' 5-piece box for 870 yen

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

When the founder visited Europe, he saw that even very small confectionery shops were making and selling chocolate as a matter of course. He sensed that the era of chocolate would soon arrive in Japan and quickly set up the necessary equipment. "Now that we have the equipment, we must create something that only our company can make." With this in mind, he took on the challenge of producing white chocolate, which evokes the image of Hokkaido's snow, and in 1968, white chocolate was born.

'White Chocolate,' inspired by railway sleepers, 145 yen per bar

The white chocolate, characterized by its rich taste made with Hokkaido milk, is a staple product. At the same time, it is also used as an accent in other sweets, such as the butter cream in 'Marusei Butter Sand,' the cream in 'Shimodatami,' and the cream in 'Yuki ya 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 rum-infused treat for adults, 3-piece box for 540 yen

It's a masterpiece where chestnut paste is sandwiched between cocoa biscuits and coated with milk chocolate, with a meticulous focus on the balance of the chocolate. To prevent the coating from being too thick and to ensure a beautiful finish on the surface, it is still coated by hand. Perhaps it is this detailed 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.

Put it in your mouth, and the thin white chocolate melts, revealing a luscious strawberry sauce. 'Genten (Strawberry)'

As mentioned earlier, 'White Chocolate' is a product of special significance to Rokkatei. Furthermore, the 'Strawberry Choco,' released in 1999, also helped spread Rokkatei's name nationwide, second only to 'Marusei Butter Sand.' 'Strawberry Choco' consists of freeze-dried strawberries coated in chocolate, making strawberries an indispensable part of Rokkatei's confectionery making.

New in 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 factory. In terms of productivity, there's no doubt that machines are more efficient. However, when we measure it against our founding principle of 'Can we proudly display this in our stores as truly delicious?', 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 masterpieces to the world, earning its reputation as Hokkaido's top confectioner. Behind its long-lasting popularity, we found the figures of people who always return to their roots, making sweets with heartfelt dedication.

*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.