A Walk in Dazaifu

I finally made it to Dazaifu in Fukuoka on a day off — it had been a while. This was my first time trying “umegae mochi” (梅枝餅). I originally assumed it was a pastry filled with plum, something sour, but after eating one I realized it’s nothing like that at all! The name simply comes from the plum blossom pattern stamped on the surface. The outer skin is crispy with a chewy mochi texture, and inside it’s filled with sweet red bean paste — sort of like a mochi version of taiyaki. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Fukuoka.