wagashi (Page 2)
Edo period confectionery store learnt the secret recipe from a monk on a mountain in Kyoto.
A long-established Kyoto confectionery shop is selling these do-it-yourself kits with simple video instructions.
Turns out you don’t have to look very far to collect all seven dragon balls – just go to your local Family Mart.
This is a one-of-a-kind sweet that you’ll never be able to get anywhere else, for a limited time only!
One of Japan’s best katana-collection museums recreates its swords in miniature form for you to cut up your desserts with.
Signs of the seasons, from rainbows to cherry blossoms, have never looked as good, or tasty, as these breathtaking nerikiri desserts.
Japanese sweets and teas every bit as elegant and colorful as Kyoto itself.
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Mickey and Minnie have been turned into sweet Japanese confections this winter, and one thing’s for sure: they’re way too adorable!
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!
After hearing that traditional Japanese sweets now come in the shape of lovable robot cat Doraemon, our food-loving writer Meg just had to give them a try!
How well do you know your wagashi (Japanese sweets)? If you’re struggling to put a name to any of the traditional delectables pictured above, there’s a store in Kyoto that can help.
By creating decorative embroidered versions of some of Japan’s most popular confections, Kyoto-based Kyototo is giving us an education in the names and background of the hand-crafted treats that are often seasonal but always delicious. Come with us as we take a look at twelve of the most beautiful wagashi you can find in Japan.
Remember those beautiful edible “jewels” that we shared with you a couple of weeks ago? Made simply from sugar, agar-agar, and a beverage of your choice, the jewels are both pretty to look at and make a cool – in both senses of the word – summer treat.
They’re still all the rage right now on Japanese social media, so our Japanese reporter Shimazu decided to try making some jewel flavor combinations for herself. She even experimented with three different manners of preparation–serving them right away, freezing them, and letting them sit for a few days to harden.
Which method of making them do you think she enjoyed the most?
If you’re someone who enjoys making treats like cakes and pastries, then perhaps you have first hand knowledge of how baking can sometimes be a tricky affair. Well, in Japan, we have a whole category of wagashi, or traditional Japanese sweets, that aren’t baked at all, called namagashi (literally, “raw confectionaries”). Namagashi are typically made from various colorful bean pastes and often crafted into delicate seasonal-themed shapes.
Earlier this month, we participated in a seminar to experience what namagashi-making is like. Join us as we see how a master chef creates beautiful flowers from bean paste, and then try our not-so-expert hand at creating our own confections!




















Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Village Vanguard’s Blue Lucky Bag may have the most impressive piece of junk ever created
Green onion baths return to Japanese bathhouse to celebrate Labor Day
This gachapon capsule machine dispenses real Akoya pearls, with certificates of authenticity
Japanese company trips – Workers “absolutely hate” them, so why do they still happen?
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
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10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
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Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
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Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
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No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Green onion baths return to Japanese bathhouse to celebrate Labor Day
This gachapon capsule machine dispenses real Akoya pearls, with certificates of authenticity
Japanese company trips – Workers “absolutely hate” them, so why do they still happen?
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
Pikachu-ear engagement rings and Pokémon wedding rings for him and her can now be yours【Photos】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Kanna Hashimoto wins Guinness World Record for getting tissues really fast
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
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One-of-a-kind Osaka-themed Uniqlo Shinsaibashi opens
Indian man in Japan arrested on charges of using curry spices as weapon in robbery attempt
We visited a “terrible” Japanese hot spring hotel near Narita Airport