Mochi Confectioner
もちがししょく
Industry & Occupation
Classification
Summary
A profession that manufactures mochi sweets such as mochi, daifuku, and kusamochi using glutinous rice or rice flour as raw materials, with a pestle and mortar or mochi-making machine, and handles shaping and packaging.
Description
Mochi confectioners handle a series of manufacturing processes using glutinous rice or rice flour as raw materials: soaking, steaming, pounding, shaping, anko wrapping, and packaging. Traditionally, a pestle and mortar are used, but many factories have introduced mochi-making machines and shaping machines, distinguishing between machinery and manual labor depending on production volume. Temperature and humidity management and hygiene management are important to maintain consistent quality and texture, and it is desirable to hold the Confectionery Hygienist qualification. They work at Japanese sweets shops, mochi factories, prepared foods departments, etc., and are also involved in product planning for seasonal events and local specialty products.
Future Outlook
Demand is stable due to rising health consciousness and the Japanese food boom. Development of local specialty products and high value-added products, as well as expansion of new sales channels such as e-commerce, are required.
Personality Traits
Work Style
Factory work / Full-time employee / Part-time and casual work available / Shift work / Store work
Career Path
Apprentice craftsman → Full-fledged mochi confectioner → Line leader → Factory manager/Store manager → Independent business
Required Skills
Hygiene management and quality management / Management of heating and steaming processes / Mochi machine operation / Rice selection / Shaping and anko wrapping techniques
Recommended Skills
Confectionery Hygienist qualification / Customer service and sales / Machine maintenance / Recipe development / Seasonal product development
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | To uniformly finish the shape and weight of the mochi. |
| Physical Stamina & Endurance | Because there is a lot of heavy labor and prolonged standing work. |
Related Qualifications
- Confectionery Hygienist
Aliases
- Mochi craftsman
- Mochi manufacturing worker
Related Jobs
- Confectionery manufacturing worker
- Japanese confectioner
- Western confectioner