History of Toraya
Toraya is a wagashi (traditional confection of Japan) maker with a history dating back five centuries to its establishment in Kyoto in the latter part of the Muromachi Era. It has been a purveyor to the Imperial Court since the reign of Emperor Goyozei that spanned the years from 1586 through 1611. Toraya opened a shop in Tokyo when the capital was moved there in 1869, and now has around 80 shops throughout Japan. Toraya hopes that its famous confections may be enjoyed in the context of the traditions of Japan and, thereby, foster a better understanding of its culture.
Yokan is a sweet bean jelly, utilizing azuki (the small, red bean unique to Japan), the finest natural sugar and kanten (agar agar, a natural gelatin from the sea). 100% vegetarian (no dairy, eggs or animal byproducts), it is the most famous and naturally pure confection of Japan, usually enjoyed with the finest green teas. TGT offers three of the most popular Toraya Yokans: Yoru no ume (whole azuki); Omokage (smooth azuki with molasses-like, dark brown sugar): and Awa no kaze (smooth azuki with the subtle sweetness of wasanbon, a distinctive sugar indigenous to Japan).