Owner of Dejima.store and main contributor of Dejima blog. Marketing specialist born in Japan. #foodie #traveler #wine_connoisseur
Shooken Nagasaki: Where 340 Years of Castella Mastery Creates the Ultimate Japanese Sponge Cake Walking through Nagasaki‘s streets, exotic aromas drift alongside the city’s international atmosphere. Among these scents is the sweet fragrance of castella (wagashi), a confection that has been crafted in this region for over 340 years. “Shooken” (松翁軒) stands as the premier […]
Nagasaki: The Cultural Crossroads That Shaped Japanese Wagashi Traditions During Japan’s isolation period, Nagasaki served as the sole gateway to the outside world. Through this port city, various cultures, knowledge, and ingredients flowed into Japan, establishing the foundation for modern Japanese culture. In the realm of traditional Japanese confectionery (wagashi), Nagasaki’s contribution is immeasurable. Sugar […]
The Hidden Gem of Myogadani: Experiencing Authentic Warabi Mochi at Ikkoan In the tranquil Koishikawa district of Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward, nestled among lush greenery, stands “Ikkoan” (一幸庵) – a renowned Japanese confectionery shop known to wagashi connoisseurs. Their signature creation, “warabi mochi,” continues to captivate Japanese sweet enthusiasts. This exceptional delicacy, made with 100% pure […]
A century old wagashi store nearby the Sumida River Nestled along the banks of the Sumida River stands a small Japanese confectionery shop, “Jiman Kusa mochi.” (you can find what mochi is here) This historic establishment has been captivating taste buds with its signature yomogi mochi (mugwort rice cakes) for over 150 years, since the […]
A Tale of Japan’s Original Cherry Blossom Sweet: Chomeiji Sakura mochi Along the cherry-lined banks of the Sumida River lies a taste that has endured for over 308 years (as of 2025). Chomeiji sakura mochi Yamamoto-ya, located in Tokyo’s Mukojima district, is renowned as the birthplace of Kanto-style sakura mochi, preserving its original recipe since […]
The Art of Karinto: A Journey Through Tokyo’s Traditional Sweet Shops Karinto, with its distinctive shape, crispy texture, and gentle sweetness from brown sugar, stands as one of Japan’s most beloved traditional sweets. This seemingly simple confection represents the crystallization of Japanese culinary wisdom, crafted from basic ingredients yet delivering profound flavors. The origins of […]
The Art of Mame Daifuku: A Japanese Sweet Tradition Mame daifuku, a traditional Japanese confection, represents the pinnacle of wagashi craftsmanship. This beloved sweet consists of soft mochi (pounded rice cake) wrapped around sweet bean paste (anko) with whole beans nestled inside. While simple in concept, the creation of exceptional mame daifuku requires masterful technique […]
A Historic Shop in Tokyo’s Cultural District Asakusa, with its over 1,400 years of history, stands as one of Tokyo’s most culturally significant districts. The area’s story began in 628 with the discovery of a Buddhist statue, which led to the establishment of Sensoji Temple. During the Edo period, Asakusa flourished as a bustling commercial […]