Sweets

Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets with over 2,000 years of history, embodying Japan’s unique culinary cultural heritage. Crafted to reflect the changing seasons and complement tea, their elegant appearance and refined sweetness captivate both locals and tourists. Today, varieties like mochi-based, steamed, baked, and molded sweets offer diverse seasonal flavors. This article explains wagashi’s essentials, types, and selection tips for…

Japanese snacks captivate people worldwide with their unique flavors and vast variety. From time-honored wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) to modern Western-style confections, Japan’s rich food culture has created a diverse snack world. Exploring these treats offers visitors a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. This article covers the characteristics, popular genres, and souvenir selection tips for Japanese snacks. Characteristics and cultural…

Ohagi, a traditional Japanese sweet said to have been enjoyed since the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333), is typically made from sweet rice and red bean paste.Depending on the season or region, it may also be known as botamochi. These confections, deeply rooted in Japan’s spiritual customs, were traditionally enjoyed during Ohigan, a Buddhist holiday celebrated during the spring and…

“Habutaedango Honten” (referred to hereafter as “Habutae Dango”), a historic teahouse founded in 1819, has its main shop in Tokyo’s Nippori neighborhood. For over 200 years, it has been beloved by locals and visitors alike. With such a long history dating back to the Edo period (1603–1868), the shop has appeared in the works of many Japanese literary giants, including…

Located at the base of Tokyo Skytree in Oshiage, the Tokyo Solamachi shopping complex is home to “Horiuchi Fruit Farm TOKYO Solamachi” (referred to hereafter as “Horiuchi Fruit Farm”), a cafe directly operated by the fruit farm of the same name. It’s a true destination for fruit lovers—where you can indulge all five senses in the delicious world of fruit….

Wagashi, made from natural Japanese ingredients like azuki red beans, mochi, and agar, are delicate and artistic traditional sweets that reflect Japanese sensibilities. Featuring designs inspired by nature and the seasons, and characterized by gentle sweetness, they exude a quiet beauty. “Imagashitsukasa Ginza Fugetsudo” is a modern-style Japanese cafe where you can enjoy the charm of wagashi with a contemporary…

The brand concept of “Azabu Yasaigashi” is “a little luxury made from vegetables.” This unique sweets shop offers wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) and kakigōri (shaved ice), all made using generous amounts of vegetables. These creative, vegetable-based sweets are both unique and delicious—something you won’t find at other shops. Here are some of the top picks worth trying. Vegetables and sweets:…

Asakusa, Tokyo, is a charming district known for its traditional atmosphere and bustling downtown streets. At its heart stands “Funawa Honten” (hereafter referred to as “Funawa”), a beloved Japanese confectionery shop founded in 1902. Famous for its signature imoyōkan (a traditional jellied dessert made from sweet potatoes), Funawa offers a delightful variety of simple yet flavorful wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets)…

Situated just a short walk from Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district, “ATELIER MATCHA” is a unique destination that offers a completely new kind of matcha experience built around the concept of the “Third Wave of Matcha.” If the First Wave of matcha refers to the formal enjoyment of matcha while seated in a traditional tea room, and the Second Wave to…

Since its founding in 1854 as a tea wholesaler in Uji, Kyoto—Japan’s famed tea-producing region—”Nakamura Tokichi Honten” has steadfastly nurtured the nation’s tea culture for over a century. Today, you can experience the spirit and flavor of this long-established tea house in Ginza, Tokyo, at the “Nakamura Tokichi Ginza Store” (hereafter referred to as “Nakamura Tokichi Ginza”). The ingredients used…

At Tokyo Solamachi, the shopping complex at the base of Tokyo Skytree, you can enjoy a special fruit-filled summer experience. One must-visit destination is “Horiuchi Fruit Farm TOKYO Solamachi” (referred to hereafter as “Horiuchi Fruit Farm”), a cafe operated directly by the fruit-specialist farm of the same name. During the summer, the Tokyo Solamachi branch offers seasonally-exclusive kakigōri (shaved ice)…

Just a short walk from the bustle of Omotesando in Tokyo lies Urasando Garden, a quiet little complex housed in a beautifully renovated traditional Japanese home. Tucked away in one corner is “Riz Labo Kitchen Urasando Garden” (hereafter referred to as “Riz Labo Kitchen”), a cafe specializing in gluten-free sweets. The stars of the menu are pancakes and crepes made…

Yamagata Prefecture is famous for cherries, Okayama Prefecture for peaches, and Hokkaidō Prefecture for melons—Japan is dotted with regions known for their signature fruits. Among them, Wakayama Prefecture stands out as a major fruit-producing region, thanks to its rich natural environment and mild climate. “Kannonyama Fruit Parlour Ginza,” with locations in Wakayama and Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district, is a popular…

Walking through the lively streets of Asakusa, your eyes are drawn to an array of matcha sweets that make you want to stop in your tracks. From cakes to crepes, puddings to parfaits, the variety is so abundant it’s overwhelming to choose. However, if you want to savor matcha made with carefully selected ingredients, you should definitely visit “Kaminari Issa…

Matcha has long been rooted in Japanese culture, from tea ceremonies to wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets). But this time-honored flavor has evolved in surprisingly creative ways with the times. In recent years, a wave of specialty matcha dessert shops has ushered in a new era of matcha sweets that blend Japanese tradition with Western innovation. Why not step into this…