Tsuruyayoshinobu, a Kyoto-based Japanese confectionery manufacturer with over 220 years of history, has released handmade monaka featuring adorable designs of the Chinese zodiac horse (午, uma) for the upcoming 2026 New Year. The product is available exclusively on their official online shop.
Purchase Information
Official Online Shop:
https://shop.tsuruyayoshinobu.jp/collections/kanshimonaka_uma
Horses have long been part of human life and are symbols of abundance and vitality. Their powerful galloping figure has also been revered as a divine mount and messenger of the gods. This New Year monaka features friendly horse designs on round monaka wafers, celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Horse.
From the wrapper to the can label, everything features horses believed to bring good fortune. With a shelf life of one year, these make perfect New Year's gifts and snack time treats for family gatherings. The product contains no allergens from the 28 specified ingredients, making it ideal for serving guests during homecoming visits.
Product Details
Sales Period: December 1, 2025 (Mon) to late December
Delivery Period: Late December 2025 to early January 2026
Availability: Official online shop only
Prices:
- 6-piece set (12 wafers): 1,728 yen
- 12-piece set (24 wafers): 3,456 yen
Shelf Life: 1 year
Allergens: None of the 28 specified ingredients used
Note: Wafer images are for reference only. Actual products may vary slightly in color.
What is "Handmade Monaka"?
Tsuruyayoshinobu's "Handmade Monaka" is a set of crispy, fragrant monaka wafers (monakatane) and flavorful sweet paste (an) packaged in cans. You fill the wafers with your desired amount of paste just before eating to enjoy them fresh and at their best.
This product includes two types of paste: "Ogura An" made from carefully selected Tanba Dainagon azuki beans slowly cooked to perfection, and "Matcha An" using fragrant Uji matcha. (The 6-piece set includes only ogura an.)
One of the joys of handmade monaka is customization. You can add ingredients like candied chestnuts, fresh cream, vanilla or matcha ice cream, or seasonal fruit slices to create your own unique flavors.
The interactive experience of making monaka together with friends and family makes it perfect for New Year's gatherings. The portion size also makes it an ideal small year-end gift.
Monaka Wafer Designs
Ema (Votive Tablet)
A parent and child horse stand together lovingly on a votive tablet (ema), accompanied by a target arrow (matoya) representing goal achievement and good fortune. This design expresses the wish that all your aspirations for the new year will be fulfilled.
Dorei (Clay Bell)
This adorable local folk toy with its gentle tinkling sound has been beloved for generations. Bell sounds have long been believed to possess protective powers against evil. The plump, cute horse bell is adorned with auspicious pine, bamboo, and plum motifs.
Takarazukushi (Treasure Pattern)
The Chinese character for horse (馬) is stylized and decorated with the auspicious "takarazukushi" pattern. This lucky motif includes symbols like "shippou" (seven treasures) and "uchide no kozuchi" (a wish-granting mallet).
About Tsuruyayoshinobu
Founded in 1803 (Kyowa 3) in Kyoto's Nishijin district by the first-generation Tsuruya Ihei, Tsuruyayoshinobu is a historic Kyoto confectionery shop with over 220 years of history. Following the family motto "Create good things," the company preserves traditional techniques while incorporating modern sensibilities into new wagashi and café concepts. Through various collaborative projects, they continue to expand the appeal of historic Kyoto confections while pursuing new value in wagashi daily.
Company Information
Company Name: Tsuruyayoshinobu Co., Ltd.
Representative: President Shinichiro Inada
Address: 340-1 Nishifunabashi-cho 2-chome, Imadegawa-dori Omiya Higashi-iru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8434
Founded: 1803 (Kyowa 3)
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ynrW8MZYirtkoCp9
Official Website: https://www.tsuruyayoshinobu.jp/
Official X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/tsuruya1803
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsuruya.yoshinobu_wagashi/
