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 […]
A Jewel Box of Japanese Sweets: Yushima Kagetsu’s Karinto Weaving Tradition and Innovation Yushima’s Hidden Gem: The Allure of Yushima Kagetsu Tucked away in Yushima, a short distance from the tourist-filled Ueno Park, lies Yushima Kagetsu, a traditional karinto specialty shop. This Tokyo wagashi treasure is nestled between apartment buildings down a narrow side street […]
Karinto: A Beloved Commoner’s Sweet from the Edo Period to Modern Japan The Origins of Edo Karinto Karinto is a traditional Japanese snack with a unique shape and texture, offering a deep, rich flavor. These elongated, stick-like or irregularly shaped treats have a dark brown, glossy surface dusted with sugar. When held, they feel light […]