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The symbol of Hiroshima is also a delicious dessert that has been loved by travelers for more than a century.

Japanese vending machines have always been great in terms of beverages. In the past year or so, we have also seen some great food machine innovations, such as the ramen vending machine that has just been put into use in the Tokyo subway system.

However, if you are like us, not only love sweets, but full of sweets, then you will want to check out this dessert vending machine in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Located in the arrival hall on the first floor of Hiroshima Airport, this vending machine sells Hiroshima’s most popular dessert "Momiji Manju" or "Maple Leaf Cake."

Hiroshima has the most beautiful maple forests and woods in Japan, and the leaves have become a symbol of the prefecture. More than a century ago, this leaf-shaped cake with red bean paste or other sweet fillings first became popular in Miyajima, Hiroshima, and later became a souvenir loved by tourists. Home, share with family, friends and colleagues.

▼ Visitors to Miyajima will remember the world-famous torii ruins and the delicious red-leaf manju.

This vending machine is provided by Miyajima confectionery maker Adzudo. It not only offers red beans, but also matcha, lemon, cream, chocolate and cheese flavors. The price ranges from 220 to 370 yen ($1.91 to $3.22).

During our visit, we picked up two cakes of matcha red leaf buns.

▼ Our reporter Haruka Takagi takes a group photo with the candy sold

In addition to shrines and sweets, Miyajima is also famous for the herds of reindeer roaming the streets of the island, and they mix freely and friendly with tourists. Of course, there is a cute picture on the box.

Hongye steamed buns are not bite-sized (unless you eat a particularly large bite), but they are compact and can be eaten with your fingers. Although their appearance is not made with maple syrup or extract, they are different from the pancake-like portion of dorayaki and have a mild sweetness.

The matcha and red beans in Hongyedo's Hongye Manju are particularly delicious. It is flavored with Hoshizora ("Starry Sky") green tea, prepared by a grower in Hoshizora Town, Fukuoka Prefecture for Hoshizora tea merchant Senchaso. The light bitterness of the matcha filling forms an attractive contrast with the sweetness of the outer layer of the cake, and it even has an elegant green tea aroma. In short, the matcha red leaf manju is delicious.

Although you can also buy Hongye Manju in the souvenir shop, there is no denying the appeal of instant gratification provided by this vending machine. You can also find some other Momiji Manju vending machines in Hiroshima, and we have been praying that one day we will find one near the headquarters of SoraNews24 in Tokyo.

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Follow Casey on Twitter as he continues to seek to eat as many red beans as possible.

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