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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Japanese Sweet Artistry in Tokyo’s Fashion District: Mizuho’s Bean Daifuku The Evolution of Harajuku: Birth of Tokyo’s Fashion Hub Harajuku’s history dates back to medieval times when it served as a post station along the Kamakura Highway. During the Edo period, the area was known as Sendagahara, flourishing as a farming village that supplied vegetables […]
The Essence of Kyoto’s Traditional Wagashi: The Story of Gyokuedo Hikokuro A Historic Japanese Sweets Shop in the Heart of Old Edo Gyokuedo Hikokuro is a venerable Japanese confectionery located in Nihonbashi Ningyo-cho, Tokyo. Founded in Kyoto in 1576 (Tensho 4), the shop later established its presence in Ningyo-cho during the Showa era. It stands […]
Yoshiya Dorayaki: 100 Years of Enchanting Artists Near Kabukiza Theater A Haven for Artists: The Allure of Kobikicho Yoshiya In Tokyo’s Ginza district, Kobikicho Yoshiya stands as a beloved traditional Japanese sweets shop, cherished by kabuki actors, entertainers, and business professionals alike. The shop’s name “Kobikicho” comes from the historic district name, established in 1603 […]