This summer was hot, apparently the hottest on record.

Now that the hot, hot summer is over, the mornings and evenings in Takachiho are starting to feel chilly.

And, at Kihachi-no-Kura, a local direct-sales market for local producers market in Takachiho town, the staff have carefully selected a range of autumn delicacies and are holding an Autumn Taste Fair!

Kihachi-no-Kura sells locally produced agricultural products and processed products.

“For this year’s Autumn Taste Fair, the staff have chosen and prepared products selected from a wide range of items, and even included products especially made by producers after suggestions from the staff.” says assistant shop manager Sato.

We asked the staff to introduce some of their favourite products from the many items on available.

Chestnut rice, prepared in locally at Kihachi-no-Kura

Staff member Kai recommends the ‘Chestnut rice’, which is made locally in the kitchen of Kihachi-no-Kura.

One packet is just enough for a bowl of rice.

The chestnuts in the packet and the slightly salted rice is the best! The taste is so good, you’ll be tempted to ask for a second helping.

Highly praised on TV, the Kuri Kuro Dark Chestnut Dark Ale

The first thing she said, “This is my top choice!” Kai raised the ‘Chestnut Dark Ale’ high in the air! This beer was introduced on TV and was highly praised.

You can tell when you drink it, or rather, only those who have tried it can really tell. The aftertaste is chestnut itslef! “Take it from room temperature and put it in the fridge for a bit while taking a bath. After the bath the temperatur and favours will be just right!”, Kai’s love for chestnut black beer is unstoppable!

When talking about Takachiho, the Chestnut Cheese Manju, an autumn-limited sweet

The first recommendation by the sweets lover Iwamoto, is the seasonal ‘Chestnut Cheese Manju’.

Only available during this season, the ‘Cheese manju’, one of Takachiho’s classic souvenirs, is now filled with chestnuts. The combination of the gentle sweetness of the chestnuts and the salty taste of the cheese just have to be a perfect match!

Kaitenyaki with Chestnuts, a nostalgic sweet loved by the locals

The second product recommended by sweets lover Iwamoto is the ‘Kaitenyaki’, a nostalgic taste loved by the locals.

Normally there are two standard flavors, the black bean paste marked with an image of the god Tajikarao,  and the white bean paste marked with the image of the goddess Uzume. However, during the autumn there is a limited edition filled with chestnut bean paste, of course, marked with a cute chestnut! We recommend it for both yourself as a snack and as a autumn-limited souvenir.

No longer just a pie, the Chestnut Marron Pie

The third product choosen by sweets lover Iwamoto, is a ‘Marron pie’. This was actually made as a suggestion to a producer, who then decided to make it.

This marron pie has chestnuts sitting right in the middle. It is no longer a marron pie, but rather a chestnut pie crust! The crispy pie crust and the large chestnut will definitely bring you happiness.

Chestnut Oyaki, a simple taste made from rice flour

Yumi, the youngest staff member, loves chestnuts and recommends the ‘Chestnut Oyaki’, which has a simple taste.

Oyaki’s are made by kneading wheat flour among other ingredients in water, rolling them out thinly, wrapping the filling in the dough and then baking it. The ‘Chestnut Oyaki’ however, is made with rice flour instead of wheat flour and wrapped in chestnuts. It have a simple and comforting taste.

Chestnut lovers will love the Astringent Chestnut Skins

The second recommendation by chestnut lover Yumi, is ‘Astringent Chestnut Skins’, an absolute must for chestnut lovers!

This astringent chestnut skins is peeled one by one by hand and are carefully selected and meticulously prepared by the producers. With a lot of time and love, this astringent chestnut skins is an excellent product that can be eaten as is or used in cooking. Also, since it has been vacuum-packed, it will hold last a long time.

Chestnuts as is, a taste of autumn that needs no explanation

Staff member Tomitaka recommends the freshly picked chestnuts.

This really needs no explanation! The colour, the shape, the gloss – delicious chestnuts! Chestnuts are delivered daily from farmers, with prices varying according to size and quality. They are very popular indeed, with chestnuts arriving daily and selling out in the blink of an eye!

Conclusion

Here we introduced the staff recommendations from the Kihachi-no-Kura’s Autumn Taste Fair. What did you think?

It wasn’t planned beforehand but the fact that all recommendations contained chestnuts really speaks for the quality of the chestnuts from Takachiho!

The first part of the Autumn Taste Fair will last until October 15th 2023, with the second part starting on October 16th 2023. So if you are a chestnut lover, do hurry on over to Kihachi-no-Kura and have a look at the many products available!

Click here for directions to Kihachi-no-Kura