(Photo by 123RF)
Konpeito might be small, but it has a long and colorful history. This spiky sugar candy was brought to Japan by Portuguese traders in the 16th century and has since become a beloved part of Japanese sweets culture.
At the Konpeito Kingdom Sakai Museum, visitors can dive into this sweet tradition through a hands-on workshop that’s both fun and educational. You begin by choosing the size of your konpeito batch (big, small, or mixed), along with two colors and two flavors, to create your own unique candy.
During the roughly one-hour workshop, you’ll watch the konpeito transform as layers of flavor and color are added—especially when the second color and flavor blend together—creating some fascinating changes right before your eyes.
You’ll also see videos demonstrating how konpeito is made in the factory, plus one about karumerayaki, a honeycomb toffee that shares Portuguese origins with konpeito. As a tasty bonus, you can try freshly made karumerayaki and sample some of the museum’s best-selling konpeito flavors.
It’s a relaxed, hands-on experience perfect for families, candy lovers, or anyone curious about this charming part of Japan’s confectionery history. And at the end, you get to take home your very own colorful konpeito—a sweet souvenir of your visit.
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Note: The workshop requires advance reservation, so be sure to book ahead. Also, tasting the sweets can make you thirsty, so bringing your own drinks is recommended, as water isn’t provided during the workshop.
Getting there
The Konpeito Kingdom Sakai Museum is easy to reach from Osaka’s Namba Station on the Nankai Railway, as well as other nearby stations.
By Train: From Nankai Namba Station or any station along the Nankai Main Line, take a local train bound for Kishiwada, Wakayama, or Kansai Airport.
Only local trains stop at Shichido Station, the closest station to the museum, so be sure to avoid express or airport express trains, as they skip this stop.
From Shichido Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the museum entrance.
By Car: There is no parking directly in front of the museum, but several coin-operated parking lots are available nearby. Please check local signage or contact the museum for assistance if you plan to arrive by car.
en.japantravel.com (Japan Travel)
