Hassakuya (Hassaku Daifuku)

Among cyclists on the Shimanami Kaido, one place has spread by word of mouth as "the stop to make on Innoshima": Hassakuya, in the Kagamiura area of Innoshima.

The hassaku daifuku this shop created is a Japanese sweet that wraps the flesh of hassaku, a citrus grown on Innoshima, in white bean paste and soft gyuhi mochi. Hassaku's distinctive fresh bitterness and tartness go well with the sweetness of the bean paste, and one bite tells you it is unlike anything else.

Innoshima's hassaku daifuku has become so famous that imitations have appeared, but Hassakuya is the original, and the recipe and method it developed through years of trial and error have not changed.

Hassaku is a type of citrus with a distinctive flavor in which tartness and bitterness stand out more than sweetness. Innoshima is said to be where the original hassaku tree was found in the Meiji era, and it is known as the birthplace of its cultivation. Hassaku is still grown on Innoshima along with mandarins and lemons, and the daifuku works as a local product made by island farmers and confectioners together.

In that sense, hassaku daifuku is more than a regional sweet. It is a single treat packed with Innoshima's history and industry.

Hassakuya is especially popular with cyclists because its daifuku makes an excellent snack on the bike.

• The right amount of sugar: the carbohydrates in the mochi and bean paste give you energy
• Fresh tartness: the citrus flavor refreshes your mouth while riding
• Easy to carry: individually wrapped and a good size for a bike bag

Cyclists often stop "to refuel before the bridge" or "to eat at a rest point," and you often see several bikes parked around the shop.

The biggest thing to know is that it can sell out by midday in busy seasons and on weekends. In the spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) cycling seasons especially, customers keep coming from opening time, and it can sell out around 10:00–11:00.

If you want to be sure of getting some, plan to arrive right after opening (around 8:30). Weekdays are relatively relaxed.

They need to be kept refrigerated and are best eaten the same day they are made. If you are taking them a long way, use a cooler bag.

Hassakuya is close to the Shimanami Kaido blue line, so you can stop without going far off the cycling route. There is parking and bike space in front of the shop.

Combining Hassakuya with sightseeing on Innoshima, such as Innoshima Suigun Castle and Mt. Shirataki, makes for a fuller stay on the island. It is also easy to stop on your way back to the Habu Port ferry terminal. Innoshima Amenity Park is nearby if you want somewhere to sit and eat. See the Innoshima cycling guide for the island route.