Historical Background

The origins of Noshi Ume date back 400 years. Kobayashi Gentan, who was invited to serve as court physician to Mogami Yoshiaki, lord of the Yamagata domain, learned how to make a medicine using plums from a Chinese person while studying in Nagasaki. He recreated it at a pharmacy in Yamagata and the medicine had been passed down through the town. The first-generation Sato Matsubei founded the long-established Sato-ya in 1821 and completed Noshi Ume as a confectionery in the early Meiji period. Noshime was also sent to General Nogi Maresuke at the battlefield during the Russo-Japanese War. Today, in addition to the original Noshime, new products such as Noshi Ume syrup and sweet Noshime coated with sugar have been developed to adapt to the trend of the modern era.

Go and get Noshi Ume at Sato-ya!

You can get Noshi Ume at Sato-ya, which has a long history of this traditional sweet.  They have not only the original Noshi Ume but also Noshi Ume syrup (the picture on the right), which you can pour over ice cream or yogurt, or mix with alcohol and Ume Shigure covered with sugar. As for Noshi Ume syrup, you can try the summer seasonal limited version of  Kaki gori (shaved ice) called "Noshi Ume Kaki gori."

• Original Noshi Ume: 756 yen for five pieces

• Noshi Ume syrup: 1296 yen for one bottle (205ml)

• Ume Shigure: 756 yen for one package (140g) 

There is no course for making Noshi Ume, but you can enjoy making other Japanese sweets such as Nerikiri. If you have an interest, please check it out!