noun
yatsuhashi; cinnamon rice cracknel
A famous Kyoto confection made from rice flour, sugar, and cinnamon, often folded into a triangular shape. The name comes from the resemblance to the zigzag bridge (sense 2).
京都のお土産に八つ橋を買った。
I bought yatsuhashi as a souvenir from Kyoto.
八つ橋はニッキの香りが特徴的だ。
Yatsuhashi is characterized by its cinnamon aroma.
noun
zigzag bridge
Original meaning: a bridge built in a zigzag pattern, often seen in Japanese gardens. The sweet was named after this shape. Rarely used in everyday conversation except in historical or garden contexts.
日本庭園の八つ橋を渡ると、景色が変わる。
Crossing the zigzag bridge in the Japanese garden changes the view.
Irregular okurigana variant with small-tsu; occasionally used in stylized contexts.
The name 八つ橋 (yatsuhashi) originally referred to a zigzag bridge (八橋) with eight planks. The Kyoto sweet was later named after this shape. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.