Manshodo: A Long-Running Wagashi Shop on Higashimuki Arcade
A confectioner founded in 1890 on Higashimuki Shopping Street, with Nara-branded Aoni-yoshi rakugan, mikasa pancakes and seasonal sweets.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Manshodo: A Long-Running Wagashi Shop on Higashimuki Arcade
Manshodo has made Japanese sweets in Higashimuki-nakamachi since 1890, when its founder Uemura Kichijiro opened the shop. The covered Higashimuki Shopping Street begins near Kintetsu Nara Station, so this is an easy stop to add before walking toward Nara Park or Kofukuji. Its catalogue ranges from Aoni-yoshi, a wasanbon-sugar pressed sweet, to mikasa—Nara's familiar name for dorayaki-style filled pancakes—and seasonal fresh confections. The shop's own product page describes mikasa through the image of a moon rising over Mount Mikasa; that is the maker's product story, not a claim that this business invented mikasa. Current availability needs particular care: the operator says only some products are being sold at present, while its official pages disagree about the weekly closure.
Choose a sweet with a clear Nara identity
Aoni-yoshi is a dry rakugan made with wasanbon sugar, a fine-grained Japanese sugar associated with delicate wagashi. The operator lists it at ¥170 each, six for ¥1,200 and twenty for ¥3,800 in its current online catalogue. It is a compact tea sweet and a practical gift format, but a catalogue listing does not guarantee today's shop stock. The maker also sells mikasa, a dorayaki-style cake whose product page evokes the moon over Mount Mikasa. Nara commonly calls these filled pancakes mikasa; do not confuse the name's regional use with a unique origin story for this shop.
Check what is actually being sold
The operator's current home page carries a notice that it is limiting sales to some products. Its product catalogue includes standard sweets, seasonal items, fresh morning sweets and summer kakigori, but the presence of an item online is not proof it is being served or sold in store today. In particular, a current mitarashi-dango page shows a product description and price but also marks it unavailable for handling, illustrating why a live menu check matters. Call 0742-22-2502 or check the operator's latest notice before making a special trip for a particular sweet.
Read the history and current hours separately
The operator dates its founding to 1890 (Meiji 23) and identifies the original location as Higashimuki-nakamachi. Its detailed shop and legal-information page currently states 10:00–18:00 and Thursday closure, except when Thursday is a public holiday. The same operator's home page instead says open year-round, and Visit Nara also lists year-round opening. Because these live listings conflict, use the address and telephone to confirm before a Thursday or holiday visit; the guide follows the more specific operator profile while flagging the contradiction.
Fit it into a central Nara walk
The shop is at 24-1 Higashimuki-nakamachi, inside the covered Higashimuki Shopping Street. Visit Nara estimates two minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station, making it a convenient first stop after arrival. The arcade continues south toward Sanjo-dori; from there, Sarusawa Pond, Kofukuji and Naramachi can be reached on foot. Visit Nara describes a few tables for eating sweets with tea, but the operator's current product-limitation notice means seating and service should be checked before relying on an in-store break. Parking and step-free access were not verified.
What to look for
Founded at its present Higashimuki address in 1890, according to the operator
Wasanbon Aoni-yoshi and mikasa pancakes in a Nara shopping arcade
Current product and opening-day notices conflict; confirm before a dedicated visit
Photo notes
No MyNara-licensed photograph is attached. Do not reuse operator or directory imagery without permission. Ask before photographing staff, customers or products; secure written republication permission separately.
SEASONAL CALENDAR
Events connected with Manshodo: A Long-Running Wagashi Shop on Higashimuki Arcade
These records are shared with MyNara’s event calendar, so dates and notices have one source. Recurring patterns are not confirmed dated editions; check the organizer’s latest guidance.
20th Arukunara Central Nara Stamp Rally (2026)
The 20th Arukunara campaign invites visitors to explore eight shopping streets between Kintetsu Nara and JR Nara. The official 2026 participant list names registered MyNara stops including Hotel New Wakasa, Kasuga Hotel, Hotel OBANA, Hotel Nikko Nara, Nara Washington Hotel Plaza, Asukaso, Sarusawa Pond Yoshidaya, Nara Guesthouse 3F, Kakinoha-zushi Tanaka, Cafe Fluke, Umasshu, Com Ngon, Sakura Burger, Kamaiki, Yamazakiya, Genkishin, Manshodo, Shubo Aya, Hiyori, Mafu Okai, Nakatanido, Mentoan, Nara Izumi Yusai, Manmando, Kaki no Senmon, Yatagarasu, Isshindo, Konjaku Kimono Akio, Salon Naramachi, Bambuno, Cherry's Spoon and LAMP BAR. A stamp is earned only when using a participating shop's service, buying something or dining there, while a stay earns two. Collect three stamps in the campaign booklet for one no-blank draw, up to three draws per booklet. The organizer lists more than 420 points and one booklet per person. The prize-draw goal is in front of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Sanjo on Sanjo-dori; it is not one of the Higashimuki shop venues. Confirm the official point list and each shop's opening before visiting. The 2026 edition ends November 9; no 2027 dates are confirmed.
Check organizer informationMake a day of it
Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.
Sources & editorial status
Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 19 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.
- Manshodo — current detailed shop profile and closure schedule
- Manshodo — founder and 1890 history
- Manshodo — operator's current notice limiting the products sold
- Manshodo — current sweets catalogue and seasonal product categories
- Manshodo — Aoni-yoshi product description and online prices
- Manshodo — mitarashi dango page illustrating product-specific availability limits
- Visit Nara S01043 — independent venue identity, station access and tea-table listing
- Nara City Tourism Association — local sweets and mikasa naming context