Nagoya Souvenir Guide - Ganso Shachi Monaka Honten
Ganso Shachi Monaka Honten — Nagoya's golden shachihoko sweet since 1921
Shachi Monaka is a crisp wafer confection filled with red bean paste, shaped like the golden shachihoko that crowns Nagoya Castle. It was created in 1921 by Ganso Shachi Monaka Honten, a Nagoya confectionery founded in 1907, and is one of the city's best-known traditional souvenirs.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1907 (Meiji 40) |
| Shachi Monaka created | 1921 (Taisho 10) |
| Main store | 2-4-11 Matsubara, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi |
| Access | 7-minute walk from Exit 3, Osu Kannon Station (Tsurumai Subway Line) |
| Hours | Mon–Sat 9:00–17:30 / Sun & holidays 9:00–17:00 |
| Price | From ¥2,200 for a box of 10 (online shop price, tax included) |
| Shelf life | Shachi Monaka 6 days / Shachi Sable 60 days / Handmade Shachi Monaka 40 days |
| Shipping | Within Japan only (no overseas shipping) |
What is monaka?
Monaka is a traditional Japanese confection made of two thin, crisp wafers baked from glutinous rice, sandwiching sweet red bean paste (anko). Our wafers are shaped in the form of the golden shachihoko, and the bean paste is cooked in our own kitchen every day.
Why it is a Nagoya souvenir
The golden shachihoko — a mythical fish with the head of a tiger — sits on the roof of Nagoya Castle and has been the symbol of the city for centuries. In 1921 our founder shaped a monaka in its image, and it has been sold as a Nagoya specialty ever since. Shachi Monaka has received the Grand Gold Medal of Honour at the National Confectionery Exposition and is a recommended product of the Nagoya Tourism Brand Association.
Our sweets
| Product | What it is | Shelf life | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ganso Shachi Monaka | Our signature wafer sweet with red bean paste | 6 days | A formal gift, or tasting on the day |
| Handmade Shachi Monaka | Wafers and bean paste packed separately — you assemble it yourself | 40 days | Taking home, and as an experience |
| Shachi Sable | Butter sable cookies in the shachihoko shape | 60 days | Sharing with many people |
| Shachi Friend (financier) | French-style almond cake | 10 days | A small elegant gift |
| Kin-shachi Pie | Crisp pastry | 14 days | With coffee or tea |
| Shachi mo, Hitoiki | Assorted baked sweets | 21 days | A modern-looking gift box |
| Shachi tea time gold | Tea selection | See package | Tea lovers |
All items are individually wrapped.
Where to buy in Nagoya
| Place | Notes |
|---|---|
| Main store (Osu) | 2-4-11 Matsubara, Naka-ku — the full range, plus two eat-in seats |
| Nagoya Station | PLUSTA Nagoya Chuo and other shops inside the station |
| Nagoya Castle | Castle souvenir shop |
| Chubu Centrair International Airport | Centrair Omiyage-kan, Terminal 1, 3F — convenient before departure |
Payment and language
We accept cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club), PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d Payment, au PAY, and IC cards including iD, QUICPay, transit IC cards, WAON, Edy and nanaco.
Our staff can help you using a translation app and a pointing menu, so please feel free to visit even if you do not speak Japanese.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is Shachi Monaka?
A: It is a crisp wafer confection filled with red bean paste, shaped like the golden shachihoko of Nagoya Castle. It was created in 1921 by Ganso Shachi Monaka Honten, founded in 1907.
Q: Where can I buy it in Nagoya?
A: At our main store in Osu (7-minute walk from Osu Kannon Station), at shops inside Nagoya Station, at Nagoya Castle, and at Chubu Centrair International Airport.
Q: How long does it keep?
A: Ganso Shachi Monaka keeps for 6 days because the bean paste is cooked fresh each day. Shachi Sable keeps for 60 days and Handmade Shachi Monaka for 40 days, which makes them easier to carry home.
Q: Do you ship overseas?
A: No. Our online shop delivers within Japan only. If you would like to take our sweets abroad, please buy them in store during your stay and choose an item with a longer shelf life.
Q: What are the store hours and how do I get there?
A: The main store is open 9:00–17:30 on weekdays and Saturdays, and 9:00–17:00 on Sundays and public holidays. It is a 7-minute walk from Exit 3 of Osu Kannon Station on the Tsurumai Subway Line.
Q: Can I eat in the store?
A: Yes. There are two eat-in seats where you can enjoy what you have just bought.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: A box of 10 Ganso Shachi Monaka is ¥2,200 including tax at our official online shop. Prices in store may differ from online shop prices.
Q: Do you speak English at the store?
A: Our staff can help you using a translation app and a pointing menu, so please feel free to visit even if you do not speak Japanese.
Store information
Ganso Shachi Monaka Honten
2-4-11 Matsubara, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
Open: Mon–Sat 9:00–17:30 / Sun & holidays 9:00–17:00 (closed during the New Year holidays and on occasional days)
7-minute walk from Exit 3, Osu Kannon Station
