For years, Morimoto has been a beloved brand and a go-to for Hokkaido souvenirs. From their signature confection, "Kita no Chiisana Cake Haskap Jewelry," to a wide range of sweets and breads made with local Hokkaido ingredients, they are highly popular among both Hokkaido locals and tourists. In this article, we celebrate Morimoto's 77th anniversary by exploring its history and introducing four of its most popular sweets, perfect for souvenirs. We'll also check out an exclusive item available only at New Chitose Airport.

Celebrating its 77th anniversary this year, Morimoto began as a small bread and confectionery shop in Chitose, opened by Yoshio Morimoto, who had returned from Karafuto (Sakhalin). Driven by the belief that "in the post-war food shortage, we must broaden our diet by eating bread instead of relying solely on rice," he expanded the business with a then-unusual three-pronged approach of Japanese sweets, Western sweets, and bread.

In the early days, he would sell baked goods made with bean paste sandwiched in dough, using salvaged iron sheets for baking. Thanks to his efforts, the shop gained a reputation, mainly among locals, and became so popular that it would sell out of products by around 3 p.m. every day.

Once established, Morimoto focused on creating sweets that were uniquely "Morimoto." Through new product development, they arrived at the idea of creating confections inspired by their local Chitose. After much trial and error, they perfected what is now their signature product, "Haskap Jewelry."

The haskap berry is a rare, specialty fruit native only to certain areas of Hokkaido, like the Yufutsu Plain and around Chitose. "It has a tartness and a beautiful bluish-purple color, and I wanted to somehow use it in sweets." With this thought, Mr. Morimoto devised "Haskap Jewelry": a jam made by simmering haskap berries, skin and all, sandwiched between cookies and coated with chocolate around the edges to prevent the jam from leaking. It was later served as an in-flight meal on domestic flights and quickly grew to become one of Hokkaido's most iconic confections.

In this way, Morimoto leverages the fact that Hokkaido is a treasure trove of wonderful ingredients. Chitose, in particular, has delicious water and easy access to materials from all over the prefecture, which they utilize in their baking. They told us, "Because Hokkaido's ingredients have such high potential, we are committed to bringing out their natural deliciousness and continue to develop products that convey the charm of Hokkaido."

"Kita no Chiisana Cake Haskap Jewelry (4 pieces)" from 1,280 yen

"Kita no Chiisana Cake Haskap Jewelry" offers a delightful balance of tartness and richness, created by the harmony of four elements: haskap jam, thin butter cookies, special butter cream, and a chocolate trim.

While not well-known outside of Hokkaido, the haskap berry is a fruit that has grown wild in Hokkaido for centuries, its name derived from the Ainu word "haskap" (meaning "many things on top of branches"). The harvest season is short, lasting only one month from late June to late July. As it rarely appears on the market, it is considered a precious fruit even by Hokkaido locals.

The small, delicate berries are like jewels themselves. They are so fragile that they can be damaged by the slightest pressure, which is why they are still hand-picked today. "Kita no Chiisana Cake Haskap Jewelry" celebrates its 48th anniversary this year. When it was first released, there were few haskap farmers, so the artisans had to harvest wild haskap berries themselves to make the sweets.

To ensure customers experience the most delicious harmony of flavors, the product requires refrigeration. "If someone's first encounter with the little-known haskap berry is through 'Haskap Jewelry,' it should make them want to learn more about it," says a company spokesperson. This is Morimoto's pride and joy, a sweet that won the Prime Minister's Award at the 20th National Confectionery Exposition in Tokyo.

"Yukizuru (Assortment of 2 flavors, 5 pieces)" from 1,100 yen

The longest-selling product in Morimoto's nearly 80-year history is "Yukizuru," a light busse cake with a butter cream filling. It was created in 1972 with the goal of being a local confection that everyone, from children to the elderly, could enjoy.

The butter cream, made with Hokkaido butter, has a rich flavor. The busse cake is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, so it crumbles easily, but that's part of its charm. Enjoy its ephemeral, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

There are two flavors: "Butter Cream" and "Haskap Cream." The "Butter Cream" contains cheese, which adds a salty accent. The "Haskap Cream," on the other hand, is a mix of haskap's pleasant tartness and butter cream, renowned for its uniquely "Morimoto" taste.

The distinctive crane packaging was designed by Mari Yamazaki, the author of the manga "Thermae Romae." Yamazaki, who spent her childhood in Chitose, had been a fan of Yukizuru since its release. She created the design as a highlight for the company's 65th anniversary, and it has been the beloved face of "Yukizuru" for over a decade.

"Kita no Sanpomichi Haskap (8 pieces)" from 1,180 yen

While "Haskap Jewelry" requires refrigeration, "Kita no Sanpomichi Haskap" was created in response to long-standing requests for a product that is easy to give as a souvenir and can be stored at room temperature.

The "Kita no Sanpomichi" series is a sweet that combines cookies, chocolate, and a confiture made from Hokkaido-grown fruit. A luscious confiture is sandwiched between a cookie made with Hokkaido wheat and haskap-flavored chocolate. One bite fills your mouth with the refreshing taste of haskap. Since it can be carried at room temperature, it's a perfect item to give out to colleagues and friends. This product also won the Honorary President's Award at the National Confectionery Exposition.

"Haskap Jewelry Trio (6 pieces)" 2,260 yen

If you're buying "Haskap Jewelry" at New Chitose Airport, the "Haskap Jewelry Trio" is highly recommended. While "Haskap Jewelry" is usually sold in an assortment of two types, this airport-exclusive box contains six pieces, with two of each of the three different varieties.

The trio includes the original "Haskap Jewelry," the mellow-tasting "Haskap Jewelry White Version" trimmed with milky white chocolate, and the popular "Premium Black," which features a combination of black cocoa cookies and a jam that delivers the direct tartness of haskap.

This set, allowing you to compare three different flavors, is sold exclusively at the "Morimoto New Chitose Airport Store" on the 2nd floor of the International Terminal Building.

※All prices listed include tax.
※Information is current as of the article's publication date.
※Information may change. Please check the official website for the latest details.