Bokksu Snack Box
Meet the Maker: Akai Ribon
Akai Ribon
Established in 1978
Located in Hokkaido
Akai Ribbon is located in a small city on the west edge of Hokkaido Prefecture. Since their first sweet shop opened in 1978, in the founder Takaya-san’s hometown, they’ve dedicated themselves to being a truly local company.
Hokkaido is well known for its agriculture, often producing the majority of Japan's dairy, corn, wheat, soy, potatoes, and more. Akai Ribbon takes great pride in the region’s produce and celebrates local ingredients in every sweet. But why settle in Iwamizawa?
The city of Iwamizawa
is relatively small, with a lazy river winding slowly through it, and farmland on all sides. Time flows like the river, relaxed and full of life. Being surrounded by such rich nature inspires the patissier at Akai Ribon. Vineyards and apple orchards are just a short bit away. In winter, the city's rice turns into delicious sake. In the slower, pastoral pace of Iwamizawa, they have all the time and ingredients needed to create new and delicious sweets.
Those who know the delights of Akai Ribbon will gladly take the short train ride from Sapporo
Akai Ribbon has continued their traditions as a small-batch maker to this day. While other makers might choose to have machines handle the whole snack-making process, Akai Ribon's employees are still hand-making their sweets, from rolling the dough of Kitsune no Shippo by hand to dipping it into a thick, creamy layer of maple white chocolate. Because of this, each pastry is unique and has that home-made quality that makes them so delicious.
Maple is featured prominently in many of Akai Ribon's sweets. Japan has a growing fondness for all things maple syrup and has even started producing some domestically. This snack maker's love of maple syrup truly goes beyond baking, even naming their second store, "Maple Club." Although Akai Ribon still relies on Canadian maple syrup, they are eagerly supporting the burgeoning Hokkaido maple syrup industry, and hope to soon be making all of their sweets with 100% local syrup.
Both of their storefronts are in Iwamizawa, and they're content to keep their footprint to Hokkaido. Those who know the delights of Akai Ribbon will gladly take the short train ride from Sapporo to enjoy the quaint atmosphere of their shops.
Takaya-san, Founder of Akai Ribon
The Bokksu team meets Takaya-san (front left of sign) at the Maple Club
Freshly made Kitsune no Shippo
Akai Ribon
Established in 1978
Located in Hokkaido
Akai Ribbon is located in a small city on the west edge of Hokkaido Prefecture. Since their first sweet shop opened in 1978, in the founder Takaya-san’s hometown, they’ve dedicated themselves to being a truly local company.
Hokkaido is well known for its agriculture, often producing the majority of Japan's dairy, corn, wheat, soy, potatoes, and more. Akai Ribbon takes great pride in the region’s produce and celebrates local ingredients in every sweet. But why settle in Iwamizawa?
The city of Iwamizawa
is relatively small, with a lazy river winding slowly through it, and farmland on all sides. Time flows like the river, relaxed and full of life. Being surrounded by such rich nature inspires the patissier at Akai Ribon. Vineyards and apple orchards are just a short bit away. In winter, the city's rice turns into delicious sake. In the slower, pastoral pace of Iwamizawa, they have all the time and ingredients needed to create new and delicious sweets.
Those who know the delights of Akai Ribbon will gladly take the short train ride from Sapporo
Akai Ribbon has continued their traditions as a small-batch maker to this day. While other makers might choose to have machines handle the whole snack-making process, Akai Ribon's employees are still hand-making their sweets, from rolling the dough of Kitsune no Shippo by hand to dipping it into a thick, creamy layer of maple white chocolate. Because of this, each pastry is unique and has that home-made quality that makes them so delicious.
Maple is featured prominently in many of Akai Ribon's sweets. Japan has a growing fondness for all things maple syrup and has even started producing some domestically. This snack maker's love of maple syrup truly goes beyond baking, even naming their second store, "Maple Club." Although Akai Ribon still relies on Canadian maple syrup, they are eagerly supporting the burgeoning Hokkaido maple syrup industry, and hope to soon be making all of their sweets with 100% local syrup.
Both of their storefronts are in Iwamizawa, and they're content to keep their footprint to Hokkaido. Those who know the delights of Akai Ribbon will gladly take the short train ride from Sapporo to enjoy the quaint atmosphere of their shops.
Takaya-san, Founder of Akai Ribon
The Bokksu team meets Takaya-san (front left of sign) at the Maple Club
Freshly made Kitsune no Shippo
Meet Our Other Makers Here:
Author Bio
More from the blog
View all
