The Story Behind Our Best-Selling Marusei Butter Cookie Sandwich

When people think of Hokkaido's most beloved sweets, we are honored that so many mention our Marusei Butter Cookie Sandwich.

First introduced on May 14, 1977, this signature sweet marked an important milestone in our company's history—the year we became ROKKATEI. Nearly fifty years later, it continues to be loved by generations of customers in Japan.

Since opening our first overseas store in Southern California last year, we have also been delighted to introduce Marusei Butter Cookie Sandwich to customers here in the United States.

Today, we'd like to take a closer look at the story behind the name "Marusei," the history that inspired its design, and the carefully selected ingredients that make this sweet so special.

The Story Behind the Name "Marusei"

Our home is Tokachi, Hokkaido, a region rich in nature, history, and agriculture.

Our founder was once inspired by the phrase, "Sweets are a barometer of culture." From that moment on, he dreamed of creating sweets that would reflect the history and spirit of Tokachi.

That dream eventually became the Marusei Butter Cookie Sandwich.

In the early 1900s, a pioneering company called Banseisha operated dairy farms in Tokachi. The butter they produced was sold in cans under the name "Marusei Butter."

The name came from the character "Sei" (成) from Banseisha, enclosed in a circle—hence "Marusei." Even today, the package design is inspired by the original butter can label.

Both the name and the package honor the pioneers who helped develop Tokachi and reflect our founder's wish to preserve the region's history through confectionery.

A Sweet Created for a New Beginning

On May 14, 1977, our company officially became ROKKATEI, and Marusei Butter Cookie Sandwich made its debut alongside this new chapter.

Our founder believed that the rich butter of Tokachi and the white chocolate we had pioneered in Japan deserved to come together in a truly memorable sweet.

Reaching that goal, however, was not easy.

For a long time, the cookie never achieved the light, crisp texture he imagined. Countless batches were baked before one simple idea changed everything—adding almond powder to the dough.

It was exactly the texture he had been searching for. The cookies finally had the delicate crispness he envisioned, and those who worked alongside him still remember his excitement when he tasted the finished biscuit for the first time.

Although the recipe has remained true to its original spirit, we have continued refining every detail over the years. Small improvements in ingredients and production allow us to confidently say that today's Marusei Butter Cookie Sandwich is the best version we have ever made.

One of our posters from 1982 perfectly captured this spirit:

"An unforgettable butter flavor. Fresh Tokachi butter, rum-soaked raisins, white chocolate, and Tokachi brandy from Ikeda Town come together in this beloved confection from Obihiro."

A Sweet Born from the Blessings of Hokkaido and California

"No matter the cost, always use the best ingredients to make the most delicious sweets."

This guiding principle continues to shape everything we do.

One of the finest examples is the California raisins used in Marusei Butter Cookie Sandwich.

Grapes ripened under the warm California sun are naturally dried using traditional sun-drying methods, creating raisins with a plump texture, concentrated sweetness, and rich flavor. They pair beautifully with the creamy butter and fresh milk from Hokkaido.

To us, sweets are a gift from nature.

Every Marusei Butter Cookie Sandwich is made with gratitude—for the sunshine of California and the rich farmland of Hokkaido, two places whose blessings come together in every bite.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Since opening our Southern California store, we have been grateful to receive so many kind comments from our customers.

"The Marusei butter cookie sandwiches were excellent—buttery and rich with just the right hint of rum from the raisins. The staff suggested chilling them, and they were right: the filling tastes almost like ice cream when cold."

"The Marusei butter cookies have buttercream, white chocolate, and a generous serving of rum raisins in the middle."

We've also heard comments such as, "I've never tasted anything quite like this before," and "These would pair wonderfully with coffee—or even wine." Some customers have even mistaken the rum raisins for chocolate chips, reminding us that this flavor combination is still a delightful discovery for many people in the United States.

Seeing customers discover Marusei Butter Cookie Sandwich for the very first time has become one of the greatest joys of opening our Southern California store. We hope many more people will continue to discover this small taste of Hokkaido in the years to come.