October 31, 2023
For the residents of Tokushima Prefecture, it was not a day for Halloween.
It was the day Kawada Manjyu "Chokudo" closed its doors for the last time in its 151-year history.
I was really surprised when I heard on the news that the store was closing due to the aging of the store, the aging of the craftsmen, and the rising cost of living.
Rumor had it that for about a month leading up to the closing, the store had been packed with customers lining up day after day and selling out within two or three hours of the store opening.
It is not hard to imagine that the store was continuously overflowing with people regretting the closure of the store, since it has been a famous confectionery representing Tokushima Prefecture since 1872.
Kawada Manju was also a favorite of my grandmother.
I also loved those bite-sized manjyu and wrote an article about them in February of this year.
(Will I not be able to eat anymore? ……)
When I thought about it, I couldn't stay away. I had many conflicting feelings, but I decided to go out and buy it on the last day.
October 31, 2023 On the date
Although I woke up at 3:00 a.m., I was unusually clear-headed. I had a light breakfast, played with my cats, and felt physically and mentally fine.
Around 7:00 a.m., I left my house in high spirits.
By the way, the store opens at 9:00 a.m., but as far as I knew from social networking sites, numbered tickets were handed out from 8:30 a.m. So, I was able to get in line quite early. So, there was a possibility that the line would be formed quite early. That is why I left quite early.