All across this site, the rabbit who guides you keeps offering dumplings to ogres. There is a real story behind that. Sasamaki dango (bamboo-leaf-wrapped dumplings)—this is the tale of a local flavor that runs from Hōki Town’s ogre-slaying legend right up to today.

Sasamaki Dango in the Legend

In the Mt. Kizumi ogre legend, Emperor Kōrei slays a pair of ogre brothers. One of his “weapons” at the time was a dumpling.

To lure the younger ogre, Otoushikani, out of the mountain, it is said that three sasamaki dango were set out. Drawn by the smell, he came out—and was shot with an arrow. Not by brute force, but coaxed out with dumplings. It is a wonderfully cunning—and slightly humorous—bit of ogre-slaying.

An ogre who comes out because he was tempted by dumplings. You can’t quite hate him, can you? This one scene is what makes sasamaki dango “a food tied to the legend.”

Sasamaki Dango Today

Sasamaki dango are dumplings made from rice flour and other ingredients, wrapped in bamboo leaves and steamed (or boiled). They are a local sweet that has been made from San’in through to Hokuriku for occasions such as Tango no Sekku (Boys’ Festival). The pleasant fragrance of the bamboo soaks in, and they have a simple, plain sweetness.

In Hōki Town, these sasamaki dango are treasured as a local flavor tied to the ogre-slaying legend. The dumplings from the legend are still eaten right here, more than a thousand years on—and once you think of it that way, a simple sweet starts to look a little special.

Tasting Report (to be added after our visit)

Where you can buy them, when they’re made, how they taste. We’ll go there ourselves to check all of this, then add it here with photos. Local shops, farm stands, seasonal handmade batches—we’ll add them here as we find them.

A word from the rabbit: I understand exactly how that ogre felt, losing to a dumpling. After all, they’re delicious.

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