Eitaro Souhonpo's Adorable Candy-Loving Dinosaur Wagashi Available for a Limited Time at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi

The 80th National Famous Confectionery Exhibition is now underway at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, and this year's theme is "Sweets Dinosaur Exhibition." Sweet makers from across Japan are bringing their creativity and traditional craftsmanship together under one roof, reimagining the age of dinosaurs through confectionery.

Eitaro Souhonpo, a Nihonbashi-based wagashi maker with roots dating to 1818, is participating with a limited-edition creation called "Ameno Saurus" — a delightful dinosaur-shaped wagashi that ties together the brand's signature candy tradition with contemporary Japanese confectionery artistry.

Ameno Saurus: Red & Yellow

Ameno Saurus Red (left) and Yellow (right)

Two versions of Ameno Saurus are on offer, each priced at ¥1,000 (tax excluded):

Ameno Saurus Red — Amaou Strawberry Flavor

Ameno Saurus Red / ¥1,000 (tax excluded)

Ameno Saurus Yellow — Daicho Lemon Flavor

Ameno Saurus Yellow / ¥1,000 (tax excluded)

The dinosaur's body is crafted from nerikiri (smooth sweet bean paste dough), with a filling of the same flavor bean paste inside. The kingyoku (sweet jelly) the dinosaur cradles is modeled after Eitaro's iconic triangular Eitaro Ame candy. The flavors — Amaou strawberry for the Red version and Daicho lemon for the Yellow — are inspired by the brand's "Kajuame" (fruit juice candy) line.

Each piece has a slightly different facial expression, making the hunt for a favorite part of the fun.

Profile: Ameno Saurus

Ameno Saurus Profile

Full length: 18.18 m
Fossil discovery site: Nihonbashi area, Tokyo
Favorite food: Umeboshi-ame (plum candy)
Character: Gentle and peaceful; its staple diet is candy — especially plum candy, which it crunches through enthusiastically. It is said to share candy with other hungry dinosaurs. Its dorsal fins, tail, and body have gradually taken on color from a lifetime of eating plum candy. The Nihonbashi kirin (mythical creature) is considered an ancestor, sharing a similar build and tail shape.