【Enakawakamiya】The Famous Chestnut Sweets from a Renowned Chestnut-Producing Region

Enakawakamiya’s Commitment to Chestnut Sweets: Aiming for a Future Where Chestnut Confectionery is Loved for 100 More Years

Enakawakamiya, located in Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, is situated in one of Japan’s most famous chestnut-producing regions, known for its large, high-quality chestnuts. Enakawakamiya’s mission is to turn the Gifu and Tono areas into Japan’s top chestnut-producing region. Together with local growers, they are dedicated to creating chestnuts with meticulous care, from soil preparation to harvest. Only chestnuts that meet strict criteria—such as variety, cultivation, and shipping conditions—are recognized as “Super Selected Chestnuts” and are a part of the regional brand. Enakawakamiya also cultivates its own chestnuts, constantly striving to improve production and quality. Their expertise in chestnuts has contributed to the growth of chestnut culture.

Chestnut Kinton with a Taste of Tradition: Enakawakamiya’s Special Chestnut Kinton

Enakawakamiya is known for its Chestnut Kinton, a traditional confection that hails from the Tono region of Gifu, the birthplace of this iconic treat. Using natural mountain chestnuts, the sweet has become a beloved regional delicacy across Japan. At Enakawakamiya, they believe the best Chestnut Kinton is made slowly in a hand kettle, with the warm, homemade flavor resembling “Grandmother’s Chestnut Kinton.”

To achieve this nostalgic and comforting flavor, they prioritize freshness, quality, and cultivation. Enakawakamiya uses the “Super Low Tree Height Cultivation Method” developed by the famous chestnut expert Dr. Minoru Tsukamoto. This method, which uses chestnuts that are grown in ways that are easier on the farmers, produces healthy, large chestnuts. Only those that meet the strict guidelines set by the “Super Selected Chestnut Association” in the Ena and Nakatsugawa regions are used in their products. These chestnuts are among the highest-quality chestnuts from the region.

A Hybrid of Japanese and Western Confections: Enakawakamiya’s Unique Sweets!

While Enakawakamiya is well known for its chestnut-based Japanese sweets, they also offer a variety of Western-style treats that are equally popular. One of their most recommended items is the seasonal Mont Blanc made with Japanese chestnuts, known as “Kuri Hitosuji.” Introduced in 2012, this treat features a light meringue with smooth chestnut paste that melts in your mouth—made with the equivalent of about five chestnut kinton servings!

In addition to this, you can enjoy Mont Blanc parfaits, “Kinton Cream Puffs” that combine chestnut kinton with cream puffs, chestnut-flavored tiramisu, soft-serve ice cream, and jelly made with ripe peaches from Nagano Prefecture. There are plenty of hybrid sweets that combine the best of Japanese and Western styles.

At their cafe spaces, you can also enjoy freshly made sweets, with some locations offering exclusive seasonal menu items.

Enjoy Enakawakamiya’s Sweets at Home!

For those who cannot visit Enakawakamiya in person or are looking for chestnut sweets as gifts, they offer an online store. In addition to their famous Chestnut Kinton, you can find a variety of other chestnut-based Japanese and Western sweets, as well as non-sweet products like steamed buns made with tomatoes from Ena Farm and chestnut rice, which recreates a local specialty, “Kowa-meshi.”

The online shop features seasonal recommendations and options for gifts, family time, or personal treats. You can easily choose based on your needs. For more information on ordering, please check their online shop.