Amezaiku is a traditional Japanese candy that has been loved by people for over 1000 years. It is made by heating sugar into liquid candy and quickly forming an animal or flower. The candy is softened by heating to about 90 degrees Celsius (nearly 200 degrees Fahrenheit), and is exquisitely handcrafted with traditional Japanese bare hands and scissors. Amezaiku is made by cutting, pulling, and bending candy that is attached to the end of a stick. Amezaiku must be finished within minutes of removing the candy from the pot, due to the candy's properties: hardening when cooled and soft when heated. Amezaiku is not crafted by cutting or scraping from a block, as in sculpture. It is said that Amezaiku originated in the 8th century. During the Edo period (17th-19th centuries), craftsmen demonstrated their crafting art in the streets to sell to the people, and Amezaiku is a popular form of entertainment. Amezaiku's technique has been passed down through generations. However, since Amezaiku is a traditional subculture, there are no documents describing the processes and skills involved in detail.

There are fewer craftsmen now than there used to be, and to be able to find one is a rare opportunity. Asakusa Amezaiku "Ameshin" (Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi store), is an integrated shop where you can get a close-up view of the amezaiku making process and even buy some of these beautiful sweets if you like.

Tokyo Solamachi is a large shopping complex at the base of the Tokyo Skytree. The 4th floor is the area selling Japanese souvenirs. This is where Amezaiku Ameshin is located. First, let's take a look at some of the amezaiku works sold here. You will be amazed at their beauty and the fact that they are made of candy.

Let's say rough shaping of a goldfish or a rabbit will take about 5 minutes, but the hard part is creating and painting the detailed lines and textured surfaces. Some even take up to 30 minutes. All are handmade, meaning that every day the craftsman can only finish about 30 to 50 pieces... Each piece is a precious work of art. You can buy goldfish candy for about ¥2980. All amezaiku products are sold exclusively at the Solamachi Tokyo Skytree Town Store. The headquarters is located in Asakusa, where you can experience making amezaiku (Japanese only, reservation required), but you can only watch the craftsmen making amezaiku here at the Solamachi Store in Tokyo Skytree Town. Candy-making demonstrations are not held all the time, so you should check the official website schedule (in Japanese only) before going. The main purpose of amezaiku is decoration, but after all, it's candy so you can eat it too. Now you would definitely want some traditional Japanese amezaiku as souvenirs for your family and friends, right?

Open 10:00 - 21:00

Closed 21:30

Website http://www.ame-shin.com/en/