Akafuku

Akafuku wagashi is a variety of mochi (a Japanese pounded rice confection) prepared only in the area central to Ise City in Mie Prefecture. It consists of smooth koshi-an, or sweet red bean paste coated around soft, yet firm mochi. That composition is somewhat unusual because wagashi are usually made by enclosing the paste inside the mochi, so akafuku is to wagashi what an inside-out roll is to sushi. Its shape symbolizes the Isuzu River: the ridges in the paste are skillfully hand-pressed in order to represent the clear water flowing through the river, while the white mochi interior depicts the pebbles lying on the riverbed. Tourists like to buy akafuku as a souvenir, but it should be enjoyed quickly, as it expires after only two days.