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 […]
A Century of Japanese Sweets Mastery: Matsushimaya’s Legendary Daifuku A Tokyo Wagashi Treasure at Gyoranazaka: Discovering Matsushimaya On Gyoranazaka, the historic slope connecting Shirokane-Takanawa and Sengakuji Temple, stands Matsushimaya, a venerable Japanese sweets shop established in 1918. The traditional storefront, adorned with a large white noren curtain featuring red lettering, preserves the atmosphere of old […]
Discovering Tokyo’s Hidden Wagashi Gem: Okano Eisen’s Heavenly Daifuku in Toranomon A Japanese Sweets Sanctuary Amidst Toranomon’s Skyscrapers When you hear “Toranomon” in Tokyo, you might envision a forest of modern skyscrapers and bustling business districts. However, this area holds a surprising secret: nestled among the towering buildings is a slice of Edo-era Japan, exemplified […]
Bunseido Honpo: A Treasure Trove of Tokyo Wagashi in the Heart of Shimbashi Bunseido Honpo: A Japanese Sweets Oasis in Salaryman’s Paradise Mention Shimbashi, and most people think of the bustling drinking district known as the paradise for “salaryman” (Japanglish meaning office workers). However, nestled just beyond this lively area stands a venerable Japanese sweets […]