What’s special about this biscuit?
When traveling in Hokkaido, many Muslim visitors—especially women and families—often wonder:
“Can I safely buy local sweets as souvenirs?”
“Will my family be comfortable eating this back home?”
If you are visiting southern Hokkaido, Trappist Cookies are one option worth knowing.
A Quiet Monastery Near Hakodate
Trappist Monastery is located in Hokuto City, near Hakodate.
While the area itself does not have many tourist attractions, the monastery is well known for its peaceful and serene atmosphere.
The monastery was established in 1896, during a time when Hakodate had just opened its port to foreign countries. To meet the needs of the growing Christian community, a male monastery was built here, and later, a female monastery was also established nearby.
Why French-Style Biscuits in Hokkaido?
The bishop who supported the establishment of the monastery was from France.
Because of this, French methods of dairy production have been carefully preserved at the monastery for over a century.
Today, the monastery is especially famous for its dairy products—most notably, Trappist Cookies, which are widely considered a high-quality souvenir from southern Hokkaido.
What Do Trappist Cookies Taste Like?
The biscuits are very simple:
- No chocolate
- No nuts
- No fruit flavors
However, this simplicity is what makes them special.
They are made with a generous amount of butter and fresh milk, creating a rich and natural flavor. The monastery uses fermented butter only, which gives the biscuits a deeper and fuller taste compared to ordinary butter cookies.
(They also sell this butter separately, and it can be found in some supermarkets in Hokkaido.)
Is the biscuit Halal or Muslim-friendly?
This is the most important question for many Muslim travelers.
Trappist Cookies:
- Do not contain shortening or margarine
- Use simple dairy-based ingredients
- Have a shelf life of around six months
Because many Japanese biscuits use shortening or margarine, this makes Trappist Cookies relatively rare and easier to consider for Muslim-friendly consumption.
As always, individual interpretation of halal may differ, so we recommend checking the ingredient list carefully before purchasing.
Where Can You Buy Trappist Cookies?
You can find Trappist Cookies at:
- The Trappist Monastery itself
- Major souvenir shops in Hakodate city and in Hokkaido
They are less common at the airport, and according to available information, only one shop at the airport sells them.
For this reason, we recommend buying them in the city, where availability is more reliable.
Information and Ingredients
Ingredients: Flour, sugar, butter, corn starch, buttered-milk, glucose, vanilla beans, yeast (contains flour and dairy products)
Price: 718 yen for 12 packets, 3 pieces each
For Muslim Families Visiting Hokkaido
Finding souvenirs that are simple, safe, and easy to explain to family members back home can be stressful—especially when traveling with children.
If you prefer to avoid uncertainty and want Muslim-friendly travel planning in Japan, curated experiences and guidance can make your trip much more comfortable.
👉 You may want to explore Muslim-friendly travel options and support through our OTA, where considerations like food, ingredients, and family comfort are clearly explained.
Information as of February 2026.
The product is not Halal certified, and there is a small risk of contamination.
It is your responsibility to decide if you consume or not.