A popular rice ball shop stands near Tokyo Station's Yaesu Central Gate, drawing long lines of customers waiting to buy products made with rice from Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture, known for remaining soft with a touch of sweetness even when it gets cold.
As it takes less than a minute to make the rice balls, customers don't have to wait long at Honnoriya, a rice ball chain operated by JR East Food Business Co.
From actors, athletes and comedians to politicians and culinary maestros, many say they are fans of the rice balls. After it was featured on the popular TBS television show "Matsuko no Shiranai Sekai" ("The World Unknown to Matsuko"), a rush of traffic swarmed Honnoriya's website, temporarily shutting it down.
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