This year marks 100 years since the Showa Era began in 1926, and somehow, it still feels incredibly present. Even if you weren’t born anywhere close to this time, Showa lives on in Japan’s cities, pop culture, and everyday habits. Walk down a retro shopping street, […]
The sakura season has started in Japan, bringing the bloom of cherry blossoms as well as tasty Spring flavors that can be found in any convenience store across Japan. During this time of year, it's not just the scenery that changes; menus and store shelves also […]
Hello, fellow travelers! I have an excitingly sweet topic for us to sink our teeth into today. When you think of Japan, beyond the breathtaking scenery, the first thing that pops into your mind is the food, right? But what about the sweeter side of Japan's […]
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 […]
