The Narita Yokan Museum is a celebration of the sweet Japanese dessert that resembles a thick gelatin. The museum is inside an elegant building with a white painted wooden façade, splitting its various exhibits across two floors. Learn many fascinating bits of information about the history, ingredients and packaging of this national favorite.
Arrive at the building and appreciate the elegant windows and leafy floral display outside. Enter for the array of temporary exhibits related to Japanese candy and local temples. The reception area is headed by a desk that was used by the main clerk of the company in the first half of the 20th century. Chozo Morooka founded YONEYA in 1899.
Watch the short videos showing how the candy is put together and admire the photos of antiquated machinery from the Taisho and Showa eras. Purchase a fortune cookie containing the succulent dessert of yokan.
On the second floor, study the timeline that shows you how far the company has come and marks its relationship with Japan. Consider how the brand has changed to adjust for modern times and think about how it fits into the myriad cultures throughout the country.
In Chozo Morooka’s Room, inspect his personal belongings. Nearby are utensils used to make the sweet in early days. See how the packaging has changed over the decades and note the ingredients used in the candy.
Enter the museum for free. It opens daily from morning until afternoon. After spending time learning about the tasty Japanese treat, sample it yourself. Head to the nearby JR Narita Station Shop for all types of confectionary.
To reach the Narita Yokan Museum, walk west for a couple minutes along a side street extending from the heart of iconic Narita Omotesando street. Narita Station is roughly 10 minutes south from the site on foot. While in the area, stop at the Narita Tourist Pavilion, the Benzaitendō Hall and Kuriyama Neighborhood Park.
