Yesterday a student brought these sembei (a cracker-like snack) to class:
Called karakara sembei, they are a souvenir from Yamagata, in northern Japan. They're cute enough already, but these sembei have a secret:
There's a toy inside! Each sembei contains a tiny toy wrapped in washi paper. The sembei itself was good- it looks a bit like a fortune cookie but is harder and crunchier, and flavoured with brown sugar.
These are the toys we got (the fourth was opened earlier). My favourite is the little stone jizou (Japanese bodhisattva) in the back.
Update: A quick search reveals these can be found at Mitsukoshi Department stores (I'm not sure if all branches carry it). They can be ordered online (within Japan) here.
Tags: toys japanesefood snacks










































































The jizou is so cute! That'd be my favorite too :)
Posted by: Heather Meadows | 2006.01.15 at 07:45 AM
Amy;
What a wonderful gift and what great surprises inside!!!!!!!
Posted by: Carlyn | 2006.01.15 at 09:26 AM
Delightful . . . and classy too. The jizou is a winner!
Posted by: Sharon | 2006.01.15 at 12:21 PM
those little presents inside are so cute!! and I'm sure the senbei is good too. what a nice surprise!!
Posted by: kat | 2006.01.15 at 12:23 PM
Did your student go to Tsuruoka? That's where I live...I thought I recognized those crackers!
Cool!
Posted by: Helen | 2006.01.16 at 09:04 PM
I just updated the post with info about where to buy them, in case you're interested. I'll definitely be ordering them next time I need some kind of present or souvenir.
Helen, I'm not sure where she went, but I guess she wasn't far from Tsuruoka. Small world!
Posted by: Amy | 2006.01.17 at 09:24 PM
If you ever place an order, I'd love to have some - maybe instead of Christmas Crackers? They look great.
Mom
Posted by: Mom | 2006.01.19 at 12:32 PM
Sure thing. But these could never replace Christmas crackers- no lame jokes and silly hats...
Posted by: Amy | 2006.01.20 at 12:49 PM
Hi there!
i know you posted this awhile ago, but ive been tring to find these little guys anywhere in the states with no luck. help?!
do you happen to have the bag that they came in so i could see the maker?
any help would be appreaciated
paula
i would hate to have to wait til we can get to japan :)
Posted by: Paula | 2006.02.23 at 03:43 PM