Hanabiramochi (葩餅) is a Japanese sweet (wagashi), usually eaten at the beginning of the year.
The original form of Hanabiramochi is Hishihanabira, a dessert that was eaten by the Imperial family at special events coinciding with the beginning of the year.
In the very center is a thin strip of sweetly flavoured gobo (burdock), which protrudes from the mochi on both sides.
Each element of the hanabiramochi is significant: The red colour showing through the white mochi is not only appropriate to the celebration of the new year, but also evokes the Japanese apricot/plum (ume) blossom, which in turn represents the purity, perseverance, and renewal associated with the New Year.
The gobo represents pressed ayu, a fish exclusive to East Asia, and a prayer for a long life.