TAKAOKA, Toyama -- Production of hina arare, or colorful sweet rice crackers eaten on March 3 during the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), is in full swing ahead of the annual festival for girls.
At the Imagawa Irigashi confectionery shop in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, colorful puffed rice crackers popped out from a pressure cooker when it was opened, releasing a loud explosive sound and rising white steam. The cooker had been filled with mochi and rice, then tightly sealed and heated for about seven minutes while being rotated.
The puffed grains, now several times larger, were then coated with melted sugar.
"I hope people will enjoy the snack's subtle sweetness that spreads in the mouth and the crispy texture," said Yukio Imagawa, 72, the second-generation owner of the shop.
The production will be running at full steam until the end of the month.
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