Naha, a city scented with sweet history.
From Shuri to Kokusai Street,
enjoy a small journey to discover tōgan-zuke,
a 300-year-old winter melon sweet.

歴史の甘い香りが漂う街・那覇。
古都・首里や国際通り近隣で出会う
300年続く銘菓・冬瓜漬けの小さな旅へ。

At Jahana Kippan in Matsuo, Naha, tōgan-zuke (candied winter melon) is made from a recipe that has been passed down for over 300 years. Fresh, jade-green winter melon, full of moisture, is slowly simmered in sugar. The outside has a delicate crunch while the inside stays juicy, and its amber sheen and gentle sweetness are still beloved in Naha today.

300年受け継がれてきた製法でつくられる那覇市松尾にある謝花きっぱん店の『冬瓜漬け』。緑が美しく水分をたっぷり含んだ冬瓜を、お砂糖とじっくり煮詰めてつくるその味は、外側はしゃりっと、中はジューシー。琥珀色に輝く甘さは、今も那覇で愛され続けています。

At EICHIN, a sweets shop in a traditional house on a quiet lane below Shuri Castle, tōgan-zuke appears as a charming topping for ice cream served with bite-sized castella cake and purple sweet potato paste. When sunlight streams in through the window and catches the glistening pieces, it becomes a dessert you can’t help but photograph.

首里城の麓、静かな筋道に佇む古民家の菓子店『榮椿（えいちん）』では、小さなカステラや紅芋餡を添えたアイスに、冬瓜漬けを可愛らしくトッピング。窓から差し込む光を受けてきらりと光る姿は、思わず写真を撮りたくなる一品です。

Just off Kokusai Street, RYUKYU DRINK LABO serves coffee and awamori (Okinawa’s traditional rice spirit) in cups crafted by Okinawan artists. Even the small sweets that come with your drink include a hint of tōgan-zuke, its translucent pieces glowing softly in the warm light of the bar.

国際通りから路地に入った『RYUKYU DRINK LABO』では、珈琲と泡盛を沖縄作家の器で味わうことができます。お通しのスイーツにも冬瓜漬けがほんのり添えられ、店内の灯りに照らされて琥珀色の輝きを放っていました。

Simply wandering through Naha reveals new ways to enjoy this traditional sweet. Discovering these quiet little variations on tōgan-zuke is part of what makes a journey through this city richer—and just a bit sweeter.

那覇の街を歩くだけで、伝統菓子“冬瓜漬け”の新しい表情に出会える。そんなささやかな発見こそが、この街の旅をより深く、甘くしてくれます。