The Nostalgic Taste of "Dagashi" Snacks

The current building housing the Kami-kawaguchiya shop selling “dagashi” was built in the late nineteenth century, and survived both the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the bombardment during World War II (Address: 3–15–20 Zōshigaya, Toshima-ku, Tokyo; closed on rainy days)

A photo of Uchiyama Masayo (left) back in 1954, with the twelfth owner Yasui Chiyo (center).

Uchiyama Masayo today, more than 50 years later, still earnestly selling “dagishi” at Kami-kawaguchiya.

Snacks made of squid and cod.

A girl stopping by the dagashiya with her grandmother wins a prize!

A sour plum soaked in a syrup that turns your tongue red.

The crunchy, Cheeto-like snack Umai-bō.

Candy coated with soybean powder is a long-standing favorite. If the end of the stick is red, you win another piece.

Snacks in an old glass container

“Castella” sponge cake on a stick

Milk thin crackers and brown-sugary “fugashi”

Squid on a stick

Plum jam

“Ramune” candy

Candy on a string

“Super Cola” gum and other items

“Ramune” candy in a plastic bottle

“Poly balloon” (plastic bubble toy) and other items

“Milk Senbei”

Rice puffs

¥10 gum

“Ramune” candy

Squid-flavored snack