Sanporoku is a popular Baumkuchen cake from Tokachi, Hokkaido, inspired by the firewood that was an essential part of life during Hokkaido’s pioneering days. Its distinctive appearance and moist texture have made it one of Hokkaido’s best-known confectionery specialties.
The name Sanporoku comes from the traditional dimensions of firewood, which were approximately three sides measuring six sun, or about 18 centimeters. The cake is designed to resemble a piece of birch firewood, with layers of Baumkuchen covered in milk chocolate and white chocolate to recreate the appearance of birch bark.
The combination of the chocolate coating and carefully baked layers gives Sanporoku its instantly recognizable appearance. Beneath the coating is a particularly moist and tender Baumkuchen with a clean yet richly satisfying flavor.
Creating the distinctive texture of Sanporoku took years of research. The cake is made using a special flour developed specifically for Sanporoku, produced in the Tokachi and Otofuke area to help achieve its exceptionally moist texture.
The ingredients are also carefully selected. Hokkaido-produced butter, sugar and eggs are used, while a unique baking process concentrates the flavors of the ingredients. The cake takes approximately eight hours to bake, reflecting the care put into its production.
Sanporoku has been sold since 1965 and has remained a beloved Hokkaido confectionery ever since. Its refreshing yet rich flavor and moist texture make it an appealing souvenir, while its birch-firewood design gives it a strong connection to the history and landscape of Hokkaido.
Ryugetsu is a confectionery company founded in 1947 and based in Hokkaido. It produces and sells more than 300 varieties of sweets each year, including Sanporoku, and makes extensive use of ingredients from Hokkaido, particularly Tokachi.
Its Sweetpia Garden facility is located near the Otofuke-Obihiro Interchange of the Doto Expressway. Visitors can enjoy a shop and café, take part in hands-on confectionery-making experiences, and tour the factory to see how its sweets are produced.
For travelers exploring Tokachi, Sanporoku is more than a popular souvenir. It is a sweet expression of Hokkaido’s pioneering history, Tokachi’s agricultural bounty and Ryugetsu’s long-standing confectionery tradition.