Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, is once again on our doorstep and now with this “how to” video you can make your very own Raindrop Cake to celebrate!
This “How to make Star Festival Raindrop Cake” video comes with English subtitles and easy step-by-step instructions, so you’ll be swallowing down delicious raindrops in no time.
All you need is a yellow peach, pearl agar, water, edible gold powder, a bamboo leaf, toasted soybean flour, brown sugar syrup, a microwave and a fridge. Okay, so some of these ingredients may be a little challenging to get your hands on if your’re not living in Japan, but it will be well worth the effort.
▼Insert yellow peach stars
▼Sprinkle edible gold powder
▼Voila! Or should we say Dekiagari!
The significance of the raindrop cake for the Tanabata festival comes from an ancient Chinese legend. The story goes that Orihime (a beautiful princess) and Hikoboshi (a cow herder, also called Kengyu) fell deeply in love and neglected their duties. The Heaven God separated the two as punishment. They were only allowed to see each other once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month (hence Tanabata 七夕, which means the evening of the seventh). However, if it rained, the river (representing the milky way) separating them would flood and they would not be able to see each other – so they prayed for good weather.
▼Tanabata Festival, photo by Zengame
This is why people pray for clear skies on the night of Tanabata so that the two lovers can meet. If it rains, the raindrops are said to be the tears of Orihime and Hikoboshi.
Tanabata festivals are held all over Japan in early July and August. The biggest takes place in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa and is held around July 7.
If you’ve ever thought about making Japanese cakes, or wagashi, the raindrop cake is the perfect place to start. It’s quite simple to make and, let’s face it, it looks so damn exquisite!
So pull out your yukata, start making you own raindrops, and you’ll be the star of the party.
Sources: AboutJapan, Shinjuku City Official Website, Wikipedia, JapanGuide, Youtube
Images: Youtube, Flickr/Zengame
Cats appear at Japan’s famous Tanabata Festival in Sendai this summer
Japanese drink maker investigates the effectiveness of tying your wishes to bamboo
What’s that emoji? Let’s take a look at Japanese culture with these texting emoticons!【Part 2】
Take bites of the Milky Way and summer with traditional, Tanabata-inspired Japanese sweets【Pics】
The top 11 Japanese summer festivals, according to travellers
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
What are Japanese teens wishing for at this year’s Tanabata Star Festival?