wagashi– tag –

Picture a small, plain white rectangle sitting on a plate next to a cup of tea. At first, it looks almost too simple to be a famous sweet. Then you bite into it. Local sources describe a light, crisp bite, and according to the maker, the...

Seki no To (関の戸) is a bite-sized Japanese sweet from Seki-juku, an old post town in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture. One small shop wraps smooth red bean paste in gyuhi, a soft rice dough, then dusts the whole thing in wasanbon sugar. That p...

In some major North American cities, a restaurant ramen meal can approach $30 once tax, tip, and maybe a side or a drink reach the check. In Japan, the same budget can stretch across a whole day. Breakfast, a proper restaurant lunch, an ...

Barappa manju is a steamed wheat-flour bun filled with sweet red bean paste, cooked on a single wild leaf. It comes from the Hokuso area of northern Chiba Prefecture, and people there eat it during summer festivals and Obon. The leaf giv...

Some sweets stop you mid-bite. Tsuki no Shizuku is one of them. These Japanese candied grapes combine a crispy sugar shell with a burst of cold, juicy grape inside. The contrast is surprising in the best way. What Is Tsuki no Shizuku? Ts...

Not every Japanese sweet makes it into travel guides. Urajiro manju is exactly the kind of thing you stumble across in a small confectionery tucked into a Yamanashi mountain town, buy one out of curiosity, and then find yourself thinking...

Wagashi refers to traditional Japanese confections made using time-honored methods. These sweets embody the essence of Japan's food culture and aesthetic sensibilities. Wagashi goes beyond mere desserts. They have evolved by skillfully e...

Walk through Asakusa on a cool afternoon and you will notice golden blocks stacked in shop windows. That is Imo Yokan, a dense Japanese sweet made by pressing cooked sweet potato and sugar into a sliceable block. It belongs to the wagash...

If you're traveling to Japan, trying out the local cuisine is a must-do activity, and kuzu mochi should be on your list. This traditional Japanese dessert is not only a delicious treat but also a cultural experience that will allow you t...

Among Japanese sweets, you may often hear of mochi, dorayaki, etc. However, today we would like to introduce a sweet that has a strong impression as an offering. The interesting fact is that many people have seen it but do not know its t...

Nerikiri (練り切り) is a traditional Japanese wagashi (confection) made from white bean paste (shiro-an) mixed with rice flour, molded into intricate seasonal shapes such as flowers, leaves, and animals. It is one of Japan's most visuall...

Ningyo-yaki (人形焼) is a small, soft baked sweet from Tokyo. Each cake hides a filling of sweet red bean paste inside a fluffy sponge shell. These bite-sized treats are especially famous in Asakusa, sold warm near Senso-ji Temple. The n...

Walk through Asakusa on a cool afternoon and you will notice golden blocks stacked in shop windows. That is Imo Yokan, a dense Japanese sweet made by pressing cooked sweet potato and sugar into a sliceable block. It belongs to the wagash...

Konpeito (金平糖) is Japan's most iconic star-shaped sugar candy. This colorful Konpeito has delighted people in Japan for over 400 years. Originally a rare gift for warlords and nobility, it became one of the country's most beloved trad...

Among wagashi (Japanese sweets), dango is one of the most popular even for Japanese people and foreigners. Since ancient time, it has been appeared and has a deep meaning in Japanese food culture. Although relating to rice, it is differe...

Monaka is a traditional Japanese wafer sandwich. Two crisp, airy shells hug a smooth core of sweet red bean paste. This delicacy is a staple of wagashi, the art of Japanese confectionery. Diners instantly notice the delicate crunch and t...

きびだんご Kibi dango is a traditional Japanese sweet dumpling from Okayama Prefecture, and one of the most famous wagashi souvenirs in western Japan. Small, soft, and lightly sweet, each dumpling is made from millet or glutinous rice fl...

Among Japanese sweets, you may often hear of mochi, dorayaki, etc. However, today we would like to introduce a sweet that has a strong impression as an offering. The interesting fact is that many people have seen it but do not know its t...

Introduction to Ichigo Daifuku Ichigo daifuku is a very popular spring dessert. It is another type of sweet Japanese snack with strawberry and sweet red bean paste, also known as strawberry mochi. It is one of the most interesting and un...

Dango is a Japanese sweet that has been loved by Japanese people for a long time, and many people miss it during the cherry blossom and moon viewing seasons. You can easily get dango at supermarkets, but what is the different betwee...