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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ohagi: Where Traditional Wagashi Meets Contemporary Japanese Sweets The Rich Heritage of Traditional Japanese Rice Cakes Ohagi, a cherished Japanese sweet dating back to the Heian period (794-1185), represents the essence of traditional wagashi. This simple yet elegant dessert consists of sweet rice shaped into balls and covered with sweet bean paste. Its popularity grew […]
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 […]
Kanazawa: Where Traditional Wagashi Meets Modern Innovation A Cultural Haven on the Sea of Japan : Kanazawa Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, sits along the Sea of Japan in central Honshu. Located approximately 300km northwest of Tokyo and 200km northeast of Osaka, it’s accessible by bullet train in about 2.5 hours from Tokyo and […]