JOAN, a bakery brand developed by the long-established Kobe bakery DONQ, which was founded in 1905 and has consistently adhered to the scratch method where artisans prepare dough from raw ingredients and bake it, will celebrate the 35th anniversary of its first store in Japan on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

To commemorate this occasion, the "JOAN 35th Anniversary Festival" will be held at JOAN stores from Wednesday, May 16, 2018, to Thursday, May 31, 2018.

【35th Anniversary Special Product】
SEKIHAN (¥648 including tax, 1/2 cut ¥324)
"SEKIHAN," inspired by the red rice that is indispensable for celebrations in Japan, was selected through an in-house contest for JOAN's bakers to determine the 35th-anniversary special product.
Instead of glutinous rice and azuki beans, it uses black rice and red beans, resulting in a savory bread with a delicate balance of sweetness and saltiness.
The exterior has a crisp texture, while the interior, with its generously mixed black rice, offers a chewy texture reminiscent of okowa (steamed glutinous rice).