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 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan’s popular bead bonsai kit is as beautiful as it is gruelling to make
Japanese-style afternoon tea in this Japanese manor house outside downtown Tokyo is something special
Tokyo big walk – Walking from Tokyo Station to the Big Sight convention center on Tokyo Bay【Pics】
Gacha capsule machines now dispense perfumes in Japan
Say hello to Japan’s new generation of adults, fresh from Kitakyushu’s 2023 seijinshiki ceremony
10 awesome ice cream and popsicle brands to try when you’re in Japan
Temple with 600-year-old tree near busy Tokyo station is like a tranquil pocket dimension
Japan is full of ghosts: Visiting the grave of Taira no Masakado’s head
Japan’s shortest train line may also be its creepiest, looks like something out of a horror film
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
What are Japanese teens wishing for at this year’s Tanabata Star Festival?