Nishikido Main Store: Momiji Manju Near Hiroshima Station
日本語版はこちら → にしき堂 光町本店（日本語）
If there is one sweet that says “Hiroshima”, it’s momiji manju: a small cake shaped like a maple leaf, usually filled with red bean paste. You’ll see it in every souvenir shop in the city and on Miyajima. But if you want to buy it from a maker’s own shop, there is a good one only a few minutes from Hiroshima Station.
We’re Ao and Rieko, the hosts of Ao Base. In this post we introduce Nishikido’s main store in Hikarimachi, on the Shinkansen side of Hiroshima Station. Ao found it while walking around the station one day and was surprised that a momiji manju shop was this close.
What is momiji manju?
Momiji means maple, and manju is a bun or cake with a sweet filling. Momiji manju is a soft, sponge-like cake baked in a maple-leaf mould, with filling inside. It is one of Hiroshima’s best-known souvenirs, and many companies make their own version.
There are many momiji manju makers, and Nishikido is one of the best known in Hiroshima. According to Nishikido, its classic momiji manju uses smooth red bean paste (koshian) made with azuki beans from Tokachi in Hokkaido. The taste is gentle and not too sweet, which makes it easy to eat more than one.
A little history
Momiji manju is said to have been created on Miyajima by a confectioner named Takatsu Tsunesuke. The story goes that a staff member at Iwaso, a long-established inn in Momijidani (the island’s “maple valley”), suggested making a sweet that suited the valley, and the maple-leaf cake was the result. It was registered as a trademark in 1910. If you are visiting Miyajima, our autumn leaves guide covers Momijidani Park.
Nishikido itself is a Hiroshima company that marked its 70th anniversary in 2021. Its momiji manju has been certified as a “The Hiroshima Brand” product by the city.
Koshian or tsubuan?
You’ll see these two words a lot in Japanese sweet shops. Koshian is red bean paste that has been strained until it is completely smooth. Tsubuan keeps some of the bean skins, so it is chunkier and has more texture. Both are made from azuki beans and sugar. If you’re not sure which you’ll like, koshian is the classic choice for momiji manju.
Nama momiji: a chewy version
Nishikido also makes nama momiji, a newer type that uses rice flour from Hiroshima for a soft, chewy texture. Nishikido says it took about ten years to develop. It comes in three fillings: smooth red bean with yuzu flavour, chunky red bean (tsubuan) and matcha.
The idea for nama momiji came from customers. According to an interview in a City of Hiroshima publication, people asked why Kyoto had nama yatsuhashi, a soft, fresh-style sweet, but Hiroshima had no fresh-style momiji manju. Getting the dough right took years, because the mix and baking temperature have to be adjusted to the weather.
Our pick: If it’s your first time, try the classic smooth red bean (koshian). It’s the simple, original taste of momiji manju.
Visiting the main store
The main store faces a street on the north side of Hiroshima Station. White noren curtains with the maple-leaf mark hang across the front, and maple trees grow right outside the windows, which feels fitting for a momiji manju shop.
Inside, glass cases display boxes of momiji manju and other Japanese sweets, so it’s easy to choose a gift. There are also seats inside the shop where you can sit and eat.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-13-23 Hikarimachi, Higashi-ku, Hiroshima |
| Hours | 9:00 to 18:00 |
| Closed | Open every day |
| Parking | Yes |
| Phone | 082-261-3394 |
Hours are from Nishikido’s website. If you are visiting on a holiday, it’s worth checking before you go.
Getting there
Use the Shinkansen (north) exit of Hiroshima Station. From there, the shop is about a 3 to 5 minute walk.
| From | How | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Hiroshima Station | Walk from the Shinkansen (north) exit | 3 to 5 min |
| Ao’s Skyview Base (Koi) | Walk 5 min to JR Nishi-Hiroshima, JR Sanyo Line to Hiroshima (8 min, ¥190), then walk | About 20 min |
| Ao’s Retreat Base (Ushita) | Walk to Hiroshima Station (about 28 min), then walk to the shop | About 30 to 35 min on foot |
From Retreat Base, there is also a bus from the Ushitaminami bus stop (6 minutes’ walk from the house) to Hiroshima Station, which is easier on a hot or rainy day.
Why it’s an easy stop for travellers
- Close to the station: 3 to 5 minutes on foot from the Shinkansen exit, easy even with luggage.
- Opens at 9:00: you can pick up gifts before a morning train.
- Open every day: no need to worry about weekends or holidays.
- Parking: handy if you are travelling by car.
- Seats inside: you can sit down and try a momiji manju right away.
Tips
- Buy on your way out of Hiroshima. If you are taking the Shinkansen, the shop is close enough to stop by before your train.
- Can’t make it to the main store? Nishikido’s sweets are also sold at shops in Hiroshima Station and the Hiroshima Bus Center.
- If you are buying gifts to take home, check the best-before date on the box, especially for nama momiji.
From us: Ao came across this shop while walking near the Shinkansen exit, and it was a nice surprise to find a momiji manju maker this close to the station. If you stay with us, it’s an easy stop on your first or last day in Hiroshima.
You can find more about Hiroshima on our Instagram, @AOBASE2026.
