Saikatei

Saikatei (菜菓亭, pronounced 'Saikatei') is a Japanese confectionery brand and retail chain based in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, operated by Iei Co., Ltd. (株式会社いえい). The brand traces its origins to 1938, when the first-generation Fukuju-do confectionery shop began selling wagashi and ceremonial sweets. In 1968, after completing his training, second-generation owner Sadakazu Iei opened Iei Confectionery, focusing on Western-style cakes, and later combined Japanese and Western confectionery under the name Saikatei. The name is explained by the company as combining 'na' (菜, meaning side dishes) and 'ka' (菓子, meaning fruit), expressing a wish to value nature's blessings and to help customers enjoy heart-rich time with sweets. Saikatei operates roughly 15 stores across Niigata Prefecture, making it a notable local chain specializing in daifuku, wagashi, and Western-style cakes. Its flagship product is 'Kasenjoki' (河川蒸気), a steamed brown-sugar-flavored castella cake filled with a proprietary red bean cream. Kasenjoki won first place in the 'All-Japan Hidden Souvenir Sweets Number One Grand Prix' on the TV program 'Shirushiru Mishiru Sunday' and received the Chairman's Award at the 25th National Confectionery Exposition. The product line also includes seasonal items such as Shine Muscat daifuku, sweet potato and caramel entremets, and various cream cakes, available both in stores and via online mail order. The company emphasizes carefully selected ingredients, including domestic red beans, Niigata-grown rice, and fresh eggs from contracted farms. Its corporate philosophy is expressed as 'May this small sweet be of some help to someone,' aiming for the safety and security of customers, employees, and business partners. The current representative director is Hiroyuki Iei. The company is headquartered in Kita-ku, Niigata City, with a factory and head office in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture.

Saikatei's history begins in 1938 with the founding of the first-generation Fukuju-do confectionery shop, which primarily sold Japanese sweets and ceremonial confectionery. At that time, sweets were a luxury enjoyed only on special occasions. In 1968, after completing his training, the second-generation owner Sadakazu Iei opened Iei Confectionery, focusing on Western-style cakes; it was one of the earliest shops in the rural area to sell cakes. Later, the business combined Japanese and Western confectionery under the name 'Saikatei,' and despite various twists and turns, it has continued as a dedicated confectionery shop. The company behind the brand, Iei Co., Ltd., was established on June 1, 1982, with capital of 20 million yen. It operates about 15 stores within Niigata Prefecture, making it a local chain specializing in daifuku, wagashi, and Western-style cakes. Its flagship product, 'Kasenjoki,' a steamed brown-sugar-flavored castella filled with a proprietary red bean cream, has gained recognition beyond the prefecture: it won first place in the 'All-Japan Hidden Souvenir Sweets Number One Grand Prix' on the TV program 'Shirushiru Mishiru Sunday' and received the Chairman's Award at the 25th National Confectionery Exposition. The company emphasizes carefully selected ingredients: domestic red beans for its anko (bean paste), Niigata-grown rice for its mochi and rice flour, and fresh eggs delivered daily from contracted poultry farms. The brand's design and packaging, including the Kasenjoki package, are created by artist Shinsuke Igarashi, known for nostalgic and warm illustrations of Niigata's four seasons and daily life. As of the company profile, Iei Co., Ltd. has 60 employees (180 including part-time and temporary staff), with headquarters in Kita-ku, Niigata City, and a factory and head office in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture. The representative director is Hiroyuki Iei.

• 1982

  Iei Co., Ltd. established on June 1 with capital of 20 million yen.

• 1968

  Second-generation owner Sadakazu Iei opens Iei Confectionery, focusing on Western-style cakes.

• 1938

  First-generation Fukuju-do confectionery shop founded, selling Japanese sweets and ceremonial confectionery.

• Kasenjoki wins first place in the 'All-Japan Hidden Souvenir Sweets Number One Grand Prix' on TV program 'Shirushiru Mishiru Sunday'.

• Kasenjoki receives the Chairman's Award at the 25th National Confectionery Exposition.

Local confectionery chain in Niigata Prefecture offering both traditional Japanese and Western-style sweets, with a focus on quality ingredients and community ties.

• Kasenjoki

  Steamed brown-sugar-flavored castella filled with proprietary red bean cream; flagship product.

• Shine Muscat Daifuku

  Daifuku containing a single high-sugar Shine Muscat grape wrapped in soft habutae mochi and original white bean paste.

• Sweet Potato and Caramel Entremets

  Seasonal 12cm cake priced at 1,706 yen (tax included).

• Kuzu Ice Candy

  Summer seasonal sweet in three varieties, priced at 324 yen (tax included).

1. 1お菓子処 菜菓亭（さいかてい）saikatei.net
2. 2菜菓亭（さいかてい） 私たちについて – お菓子処 菜菓亭saikatei.net
3. 3菜菓亭（さいかてい） 会社概要 – お菓子処 菜菓亭saikatei.net
4. 4シャインマスカット大福 – お菓子処 菜菓亭saikatei.net
5. 5Saikatei - Wikidatawikidata.org
6. 6菜菓亭 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org