The Charm of GINZA KUYA and KUIRO｜The Secrets of Long-established Tradition x New Wagashi

February 18, 2025

Founded in 1884 (Meiji 17), GINZA KUYA is one of the oldest and most representative of Japan's Japanese confectionery culture. Its signature product, "Kuya Monaka" is loved by many people as a gem created by craftsmanship and carefully selected ingredients. On the other hand, "Kuiro," which inherits traditional techniques but adds a modern twist, is attracting attention as a brand that pursues new possibilities for Japanese confectionery.

This article takes an in-depth look at GINZA KUYA and KUIRO, detailing their respective features, popular products, and differences.

▼ What this article reveals

What is GINZA KUYA? The history and commitment of a long-established Japanese confectionery
The story behind the birth of Kukiiro and the appeal of this new type of Japanese confectionery
Thorough comparison of the differences and similarities between GINZA KUYA and KUIRO
Ranking of Popular Sorairo Products and Seasonal Sweets
A must-see for Japanese sweets lovers! How to taste & enjoy GINZA KUYA & KUIRO

GINZA KUYA: The ultimate monaka, the product of 140 years of history

What is GINZA KUYA?

GINZA KUYA is a long-established Japanese confectionery with its main store in Ginza, Tokyo, and is especially famous for its "KUYA MONAKA.

Features and Attention

Completely handmade: Craftsmen make each item with care.
Same-day sales only: Sell-out style to offer freshly made delicacies
Reservations required: Due to its popularity, advance reservations are essential.

Signature product "Kuya Monaka

Kuya Monaka" is characterized by its simple yet profound flavor.

feature	Contents
peel	Aromatic and light texture
a substance wrapped in something else (e.g. cushion stuffing)	Elegantly sweet tsubu-an (sweet red bean paste) made from Hokkaido azuki beans
Reservation Status	So popular that reservations are always filled.
best before	Recommended on the day of purchase (maximum 2-3 days)

Kuya also adheres to the aesthetic of "not adding anything extra," and does not use preservatives to preserve the original flavors of the ingredients.

Sorairo: A new form of Japanese confectionery that combines tradition and innovation

What is an empty space?

The fifth generation of GINZA KUYAMr. Hikoyuki YamaguchiThe "Sorairo" brand, launched by "Sorairo", is a brand that pursues new possibilities for Japanese confectionery while utilizing traditional bean paste making.

Points of Attention

**With the theme of "Bringing Anko to the World***, we aim to bring the enjoyment of Japanese sweets to as many people as possible.
Products made with carefully selected ingredients, yet accessible to younger generations and people from overseas
Proposing a new way to enjoy red bean paste as "bean jam

Popular products of Sorairo

Sorairo has developed a number of products that incorporate elements of Western confectionery while utilizing traditional red bean paste making techniques.

1. cookie sandwich "tsuki

A masterpiece of Japanese-Western blendingThe "tsuki," popular as a sweet, is a cookie sandwich of red bean paste.

Cookie Type	Type of bean jam	combination
plane	sweetened red-bean paste	Japanese classic
plane	sweet white bean paste	Elegant sweetness
powdered green tea (steamed and dried before being stone-ground)	sweetened red-bean paste	Bittersweetness is exquisite.
powdered green tea (steamed and dried before being stone-ground)	sweet white bean paste	Refreshing flavor

Seasonal limited edition flavors are also available, so you can enjoy a new taste each time you visit.

2. dorayaki "Taiyo

The small, easy-to-eat Taiyo is characterized by its soft, chewy skin and special red bean paste.

feature	Contents
peel	soft and chewy texture
a substance wrapped in something else (e.g. cushion stuffing)	Grain & "○ (round) red bean paste
Size	Small and easy to eat
flavor	Chestnut and salty bean paste (seasonal)

3. bean jam in a jar

Developed as a "bean jam," jarred anko can be enjoyed with toast or yogurt in ways that go beyond traditional Japanese confectionery.

4. seasonal products

Limited edition products that appear seasonally are also popular.

season	trade (brand) name	feature
summer	zephyr	Salted lemon flavored fruit jelly
summer	With Salt Vanilla	Refreshing salted vanilla bean paste
winter	sandwiched between two fried eggs with sweetened butter	Exquisite combination of bread and butter
spring	with cherry blossom filling	Spring limited flavor with the aroma of cherry blossoms

Differences and Similarities between GINZA KUYA and KUIRO｜The Long-established Company Preserving Tradition and a New Form of Japanese Sweets

GINZA KUYA and Sorairo are both Japanese confectionery brands that focus on the deliciousness of red bean paste, but there are differences in their directions and targets. GINZA KUYA continues to preserve the traditional taste as a long-established business with a history of 140 years, while Sorairo proposes a new style of Japanese confectionery while utilizing its techniques.

Comparison chart between GINZA KUYA and KUIRO

(data) item	Ginza Kuya (shopping district in Tokyo)	empty (space)
establishment (of a business, etc.)	1884 (Meiji 17)	2010s (Heisei era)
Representative Products	airy, pulpy fruit	moon, sun and moonlight
concept	Preserving tradition and offering the same great taste	Creating a new Japanese confectionery culture through tradition × innovation
Sales Style	Reservations required, in-store sales only	Store & Online Sales
target	Wagashi lovers and people with a taste for authenticity	Product development that can be enjoyed by younger generations and people from overseas

Soraya Ginza, Japanese sweets store pursuing the same delicious taste

1. 140 years of craftsmanship and "the same great taste

The most distinctive feature of GINZA KUYA is that it **"adheres to the same old methods of production "**. The signature item, "Kuya Monaka," features red bean paste made from carefully selected azuki beans and a savory baked monaka skin.No preservatives or additives are used, and the craftsmen's handiwork continues to be preserved.The point is supported by many fans of Japanese confectionery.

2. reservations required! Dedicated sales style

At GINZA KUYA,Limited number of items made per day, reservations are generally required.It is a style that has been thoroughly developed in order to deliver freshly made delicacies. This style is thoroughly implemented in order to deliver freshly made delicacies, and it is aesthetically pleasing to the long-established restaurant's philosophy of "serving it at its best without adding anything extra.

3. loved by those with a taste for authenticity who seek high-quality wagashi

GINZA KUYA's wagashi are not too sweet, so that the flavors of the ingredients stand out,It has many longtime fans, especially the older generation who enjoy Japanese sweets and those who prefer authenticity.The following is a list of the most common problems with the

🎯 Kuiro｜Brand that creates new wagashi while inheriting tradition.

1. "Bringing Anko to the World" -- To Enjoy Japanese Sweets More Freely

Sorairo is a brand launched by Hikoyuki Yamaguchi, the fifth generation of Ginza Soraya, with the concept of "bringing anko (red bean paste) to the world,Our goal is to create wagashi from a new perspective while preserving the traditional way of making red bean pasteThe following is a list of the most common problems with the

2. lineup that is friendly to younger generations and people from overseas

Products such as "tsuki" and "taiyo" are wagashi that incorporate the essence of Western confectionery, and have been accepted by younger generations unfamiliar with traditional wagashi as well as people from overseas. Also,Bottled anko (bean jam) can be enjoyed as "bean jam" with bread or yogurt.The company is doing so.

3. ease and convenience of sales

Unlike GINZA Soraya, Sorairo isAvailable in stores as well as online storeIt is. By this,Wagashi can be easily enjoyed even by people far away, bringing wagashi to a wider audience.is a feature of this product.

Summary: The charm of wagashi, a blend of tradition and innovation

Both GINZA KUYA and KU-IRO take different approaches to the charms of Japanese confectionery, while maintaining an emphasis on the "an" (red bean paste).

Ginza Kuya (shopping district in Tokyo)has been keeping the tradition alive as a long-established shop with a history of 140 years, led by its artisanal "Kuya Monaka". On the other hand,empty (space)is a blend of Japanese and Western sweets that incorporates the sensibilities of a new generation, offering a new way to enjoy Japanese confectionery that blends well with modern lifestyles.

Both are a reminder of the splendor of Japan's wagashi culture. When you visit Ginza, you can either savor the taste of a long-established confectionery or try an innovative arrangement. Enjoy the world of wagashi, where "tradition" and "innovation" are woven together, according to your own tastes.

We invite you to taste all the charms of GINZA KUYA and KUIRO!

Recommended for

Want to take the time to enjoy the taste of a long-established shop! People who love authentic Japanese sweets
People who are looking for a new type of sweet that even beginners can enjoy easily.
People who want to choose a special Japanese confectionery as a gift or souvenir for a loved one.
Sweets lovers who want to taste the exquisite harmony of Japanese and Western sweets.
People who want to enjoy visiting the hottest sweets in Ginza and who love to eat and drink.

Article Supervisor

Yuya Hachimine, CEO

Representative Director of ZENNO GROUP, Inc. known as a leader in the night work industry in Ginza. He worked for 14 years as a black-shirted worker in a high-class club in Ginza, and based on his experience, he provides various services for the industry. In order to improve the inefficient work system, he founded ZENNO GROUP Inc. and has contributed to the development of the industry.