For the last few weeks we’ve all been waiting in anticipation of the end of summer, and with the more than 10 degrees drop in temperature over the last two days, it really seems as though we might be knocking on autumn's door.
Alongside the dropping temperatures, the introduction of rich, flavourful treats to the shelves in supermarkets and convenience stores makes the arrival of the season seem like it really is just around the corner.

One of the best flavours on offer in Japan during the autumn season is chestnut, which can be found in a variety of forms, from a sweet accent to savoury main dishes to the main component of drinks and cakes.

If you’re curious, this collection of chestnut flavoured cupcakes from a place so famous in Japan for the production of chestnuts it’s known as ‘Chestnut Village’ is a great introduction to what I consider the best flavour of the season.

Located in Miyazaki Prefecture, Suki is a mountain village famed as one of Japan’s top chestnut supplying areas. In fact, Suki grows so many chestnuts, it has been lovingly nicknamed ‘Chestnut Village’.
Tucked inside each cupcake in this chestnut set from the town, is a whole large Sukiguri chestnut. Sukiguri chestnuts are characterised by their large size, which contains high nutritional value and sugar content. Each chestnut is carefully cultivated using a traditional cultivation method from the area that leads to a stronger aroma and flavor than ordinary chestnuts.

In order to maximize the chestnut flavour in these cupcakes, the Sukiguri chestnuts are boiled in their shells before being individually preheated and then baked in the cupcake dough. This triple heating method condenses the rich flavour throughout the cupcake, so that every bite is as flavourful as the last.
The flavour is typical to Japanese autumn, and along with the soft texture of the sponge and the chestnut inside, these cakes have been coined as ‘Waguri’ – from the old style name of Japan ‘Wa’ and ‘Guri/Kuri’ from the Japanese word for chestnut.

Chestnuts can be considered a ‘treasure of autumn’, so to reflect this phrase, these cupcakes are coated with icing accented by gold leaf. Carefully finished by confectionery craftsmen, Suki’s Chestnut Cupcakes are recommended as a beautiful and flavour-filled treat for gifting friends and family.

Product name: MARRON – Baked Suki Chestnut Cupcakes from Miyazaki Prefecture
Price: 5 pieces 1,800 yen (tax included)
Sales period: 1 September – 30 November 2021
Available from: Fairycake Fair Online Shop

If you aren’t quite sure whether you’ll be able to finish a pack of five of these delicious cupcakes, Fairycake Fair Gransta Tokyo also has a special Japanese chestnut cupcake limited to eat-in sales only.
Made using Kumamoto-produced chestnut paste as well as a mouthwatering helping of chantilly cream and Armagnac brandy, these soft, moist cakes are perfect for marking the beginning of autumn.

Product name: Japanese Chestnut and Chantilly Cream Cake
Price: 1 piece 600 yen (tax included)
Sales period: 1 September – 30 November 2021
Available from: Fairycake Fair Gransta Tokyo (eat-in only)
Location: JR East Tokyo Station B1, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo