Japanese snacks

Do you have a sweet tooth? A curiosity about traditional Japanese culture? Or perhaps an eye for culinary aesthetics? If you’ve said yes to any of the above, you are definitely in for a treat.  Nestled in the heart of Hiroshima’s culinary traditions is a confectionery […]

It’s chewy, soft, slightly sticky, and sometimes has sweet fillings. It also pairs deliciously with green tea (matcha included) and is considered one of Japan’s oldest, traditional desserts. Have you guessed it yet? You’re CORRECT! It’s Mochi (もち)! Considered a sub-group of Wagashi in Japan (confections), […]

You might expect a yellow cake to be banana or lemon-flavored, but surprisingly it might not be. It's not sweet at all, but a very subtle taste of honey is hidden in a fluffy yellow sponge cake. It is very simple to make with minimal ingredients […]

Crispy, crunchy, can be savoury or sweet. What am I referring to? The Japanese Senbei that is! Brings back memories of 2018 where I made an awesome Japanese friend on campus, who then gave me Japanese snacks to enjoy before she headed back home. Among these […]

Snacks have been pivotal in showing the constant creativity within Japanese culture and have had a deep historical significance as well. For example, take a look at the role of snacks in Sado or the Japanese tea ceremony as well as the role of wagashi in […]

It is usual for rice to be used in Japanese cuisine in ways that might seem a bit unconventional to those who are not used to it. From desserts to drinks, rice is clearly one of the most important ingredients in Japanese food, which is why […]

Halloween is coming on October 31st this month! Every country celebrates this special event through their own country's tradition. Japan also celebrates in a unique way even though its origin isn’t Japan, so how did the Halloween event start here? It is said that Kiddy Land […]

As the Summer season has already struck, it officially brought forth an extra season, which is none other than the climbing season. Yes! It's quite possible to scale the sides of this majestic mountain, and the view at the top is even more rewarding. However, preparations […]

About a year into covid, our Arigato Travel founder Anne and I started a Facebook group because we discovered, almost by accident, that there are amazing tourism professionals that are international residents spread out all over Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa. In just over a year […]

The fishy snack that’s not a fish! Please be aware that no real fish were harmed in the writing of this blog! (lol) If you’re an anime fan like myself, you’re sure to have seen these fish-shaped delicacies called taiyaki being sold by street vendors. What […]