Youkan (羊羹) is one of Japan's oldest confections: a firm, sliceable jelly made by simmering red-bean paste (an), sugar and agar (kanten). Kuri-youkan is the chestnut version — this one is loaded with whole chestnuts ("栗がゴロゴロ" = chestnuts everywhere), made by a long-established chestnut maker in Ena, Gifu.
At a glance
What is yōkan?
Yōkan is a dense, jelly-like block made from sweetened bean paste set with kanten (agar, from seaweed). It's firm enough to slice cleanly, keeps well, and is traditionally eaten in small pieces with green tea. Kuri-youkan adds whole chestnuts through the block, so each slice shows golden chestnut set in smooth, deep-brown youkan.
Why this one
- Made by Ryoheido (良平堂) — a long-established (老舗) chestnut-confection maker in Ena, Gifu, the heart of Japan's chestnut-sweet culture.
- Generous whole chestnuts — not just chestnut flavor; real chestnut pieces throughout.
- Individually wrapped (個包装) — easy to share, gift, or enjoy one slice at a time.
- A classic autumn gift — refined, long-keeping, and loved across generations.
How to enjoy it
Slice into small rectangles and serve with matcha or sencha — the slight bitterness of green tea balances youkan's sweetness perfectly. Because it's firm and individually wrapped, it travels and stores far better than fresh sweets, which makes it an ideal omiyage (souvenir gift).
Where to buy
Ships directly from the maker, Ryoheido, in Ena, Gifu:
Kuri-youkan — chestnut yōkan with whole chestnuts, individually wrapped (Ryoheido, Ena)
栗がゴロゴロ (loaded with chestnuts) · 国産 · handmade wagashi · gift-ready.
Price shown is as of Oct 2026 and may change. This page contains affiliate links — if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.