Seihotei (Ikaho Onsen)

The store has been freshly updated with user-friendly samue, which gives the store a brighter atmosphere.

Ikaho Onsen, the Original Onsen Manju

Onsen Manju is sold at hot springs throughout Japan. In fact, Ikaho Onsen is said to be the originator. In 1910, a confectionery store in Ikaho perfected the Yunohana Manju (hot spring flower bun) after much trial and error, which was inspired by the color of the hot spring water in Ikaho.

**Hot springs' deposits often resemble tiny, crystalline flowers. That is why it's called yunohana, where "yu" means "hot water" and "hana" means "flower."**

Seihotei opened in 1936. Originally located on the stone steps of the Ikaho Onsen, the store was moved in 1967 to its current location at the entrance to the Ikaho Onsen, "along the road you must take when visiting Ikaho." It is a popular store loved not only by tourists visiting Ikaho Onsen but also by locals.

Advancing New Reforms without Changing the Authentic Taste of Tradition

Seihotei's Yunohana Manju, made from high-quality azuki beans from Hokkaido and produced using a unique method, has been loved for many years. Its "deliciousness" is so widely known that in addition to the numerous tourists and guests of Ikaho Onsen, visitors from the neighborhood frequent the store, and many from outside of the prefecture specifically come all the way to Seihotei to buy Yunohana Manju as a souvenir.

The third generation of representatives from the company's founding says that despite various changes in the business environment, such as the dramatic fluctuation of tourists in response to the recent coronavirus, and the rising cost of raw materials, he will never change the "flavor" that has been passed down from generation to generation. This shows the confidence in the taste of Yunohana Manju at Seihotei and the commitment to preserving its heritage.

On weekends, they produce more than 10,000 Yunohana Manju, their standard product, in a single day, and are busy with many customers. Even amidst such a busy schedule, young staff members are taking the lead in promoting various reforms, such as online sales, new product development, and display improvement. The new samue, the staff uniform, was also part of these revisions.

Recommended by the Proprietress of a Ryokan in Ikaho Onsen

For a long time, the customer service staff at Seihotei had been wearing ready-made uniforms, but as the fabric began to deteriorate, they began to consider alternatives. It was then that the proprietress of a ryokan in Ikaho Onsen, with whom Seihotei had a close relationship, introduced them to Wasuian. The samue (Traditional Japanese workwear) made by Wasuian are widely used in inns and hotels as uniforms for staff and for guests. Having heard of the reputation of Wasuian from the proprietress of the ryokan, expectations for the introduction of the items were undoubtedly high, and since we are located in the same Prefecture, the consultation and meeting proceeded smoothly. From the initial inquiry to the introduction of samue at the store, the staff’s idea was realized.

Focusing on Colors that Would Brighten the Atmosphere of the Store and Promote Ease of Use for Staff

The store's customer service staff wanted an easy-to-wear uniform, a color that would brighten the atmosphere of the store, and a feel of high-quality fabric. This became the basis of our suggestion, Kasuri Tsumugi Samue. The cuffs were changed from the standard tube-sleeve Kasuri Tsumugi Samue to a semi-ordered elastic cuff. We focused on usability so that the sleeves do not get in the way when working, and so that clothes worn underneath do not come out from under the sleeves. Taking advantage of the color variation of the Kasuri Tsumugi Samue, two different colors were ordered for each customer service staff member so that they could wear different colors of samue. Pink and light green samue were for the female staff members, navy and matcha green samue were for the male staff members, and gray samue was for the general manager. We feel that the bright, elegant colors created by the kasuri tsumugi fabric, combined with the smiling faces of the customer service staff, make the space in the store even more wonderful and inviting, and in turn, creates an atmosphere that provides a pleasant experience for customers.

Preserve and Spread the Traditional Taste and Deliver it to Various People All Over Japan

Seihotei's taste is not limited to being purchased as a souvenir of Ikaho, but can be enjoyed in many other places. In addition to being sold in stores, they can also be purchased at some of the ryokans in Ikaho Onsen. In recent years, online sales have also begun. Furthermore, Seihotei is also building an infrastructure for wholesale distribution to department stores in Tokyo, and in the future, they hope to spread the Seihotei taste through more department stores throughout Japan so that more people can enjoy their Yunohana Manju.

Seihotei is a store at the gateway to Ikaho, where you can feel the lively and powerful energy of a store that values traditional flavors while constantly evolving by looking toward new possibilities. We invite you to experience the taste of Seihotei, whether you stop by Ikaho, find the products in department stores, or shop online.