Shachi Monaka: A Guide to Nagoya’s Castle-Inspired Sweet

Visitor guide · Information checked September 6, 2026

Shachi Monaka (鯱もなか) is a Japanese sweet with a crisp rice wafer shell and sweet azuki bean filling. Its distinctive shape comes from the golden shachihoko on Nagoya Castle. This guide introduces the sweet, its history and places to buy it in Nagoya.

The story behind the shape

1. 1907 · The shop opensMisono area, Nagoya.
2. 1921 · Shachi Monaka is createdInspired by the golden ornaments of the old castle keep.
3. After the war · A new locationThe shop moves to its present location.

Nagoya Castle’s golden shachihoko are tiger-fish roof ornaments. Look at their raised tails, then at the silhouette of a Shachi Monaka: the sweet brings this city landmark to the tea table. Learn more on the official Nagoya Castle website.

Ganso Shachi Monaka Honten opened in 1907 in Nagoya’s Misono area. The business created Shachi Monaka in 1921, taking inspiration from the golden ornaments on the old castle keep. The shop later moved to its present location after the war. The business’s founding year and the sweet’s creation year are two different milestones in its story. Read the shop’s history (Japanese).

Two ways to enjoy Shachi Monaka

The original version comes filled and ready to eat. Its shell is made from glutinous rice, and the shop cooks its azuki bean filling daily. The filling is tsubuan: sweet bean paste that retains pieces of the beans.

The make-your-own version keeps the shells and filling separate. Fill a shell just before eating to enjoy its fresh crunch. The kit also lends itself to serving ideas such as adding ice cream or fruit.

Prices include Japanese consumption tax and were checked on September 6, 2026. Shipping is additional. The listed periods do not start on arrival; always follow the date on your package. For a longer itinerary, compare that date with when you plan to enjoy or give the sweets.

Where to buy in Nagoya

Open the main shop in Google Maps

住所を見せる：愛知県名古屋市中区松原2-4-11　元祖 鯱もなか本店

Visit Ganso Shachi Monaka Honten (元祖 鯱もなか本店) at 2-4-11 Matsubara, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi. It is approximately seven minutes on foot from Exit 3 of Osu Kannon Station on the Tsurumai subway line.

• Monday–Saturday: 9:00–17:30
• Sundays and public holidays: 9:00–17:00
• Closed over the New Year period, with other occasional closures.

Useful stockists listed in the shop’s directory include:

Check the official store directory (Japanese) and shop announcements (Japanese) before visiting. Listings do not guarantee current stock.

A small tea-time ritual

Original: open the package and enjoy it as it is, with a cup of tea.

Make-your-own: open the shells and filling when you are ready to eat, spoon in the filling, and enjoy the crunch. Try fruit or ice cream for a variation.

Kit details and serving suggestions (Japanese)

Reading the Japanese online shop

Product and checkout links lead to Japanese pages. These labels will help you choose:

入数

Pieces per box

購入数

Number of boxes

熨斗の選択

Choose a traditional gift slip (noshi)

カートに追加する

Add to cart

Useful Japanese to show at the counter

「鯱もなかはありますか？」 — Do you have Shachi Monaka?

「賞味期限はいつですか？」 — What is the best-before date?

「手作り鯱もなかはありますか？」 — Do you have the make-your-own Shachi Monaka?

You can also browse the official online shop (Japanese). For ingredients and product details, use the linked product pages.