Handn blog Japanese sweets and desserts captivate dessert lovers worldwide with their beautiful appearance and delicate flavors. From traditional wagashi to Westerninspired confections, there’s a wide variety to enjoy, with seasonal specialties adding to the appeal. This blog post introduces recommended Japanese sweets for foreigners.
1. Dango
Dango are small rice dumplings made from glutinous or regular rice flour, skewered, and often grilled. The tricolor dango (pink, white, and green) are particularly popular for their cute appearance. Enjoyed throughout Japan, dango come in many seasonal varieties, such as sakura mochi wrapped in cherry leaves in spring and chestnutfilled dango in autumn.
2. Taiyaki
Taiyaki is a fishshaped cake typically filled with sweet red bean paste. Nowadays, you can find taiyaki with various fillings, including custard, chocolate, and cheese. Easily found at street stalls and specialty shops, warm taiyaki is especially popular in the colder months.
3. Wasambon
Wasambon is a highquality sugar produced in the Shikoku region, used to make elegant and smoothtextured wagashi. These refined sweets, often presented as beautiful works of art, are common in tea ceremonies and come in various seasonal designs.
4. Yokan
Yokan is a jellylike confection made from red bean paste and agar. While traditional yokan is made with red beans, you can also find versions with green tea or chestnuts. Longlasting and often given as gifts, yokan pairs well with tea, enhancing its sweetness.
5. Dorayaki
Dorayaki consists of two fluffy pancakes filled with sweet red bean paste. The name comes from its resemblance to a gong (dora). Modern variations include cream or fruit fillings, making dorayaki popular among the younger generation and easily found across Japan.
6. Yokan
Yokan, made primarily from azuki beans, comes in two types: dense neriyokan and refreshing mizuyokan. Neriyokan, with its rich sweetness and firm texture, is great for gifts, while mizuyokan, perfect for summer, offers a cool and light experience.
1. Cream Puffs
Cream puffs, or choux à la crème, have evolved uniquely in Japan. Popular for their generous custard cream filling, you can find various flavors like vanilla, matcha, and chocolate at patisseries and specialty shops.
2. Roll Cake
Japanese roll cakes are known for their soft sponge and light cream. The “Dojima Roll” and other famous brands have sparked a nationwide roll cake boom. Varieties with fruits or cream cheese offer visual appeal and exceptional taste.
3. Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc, originally from France, is especially popular in Japan during autumn. Japanese versions feature finely piped chestnut cream, often made with Japanese chestnuts, offering a unique, mellow sweetness.
4. Parfait
Japanese parfaits are known for their elaborate presentation and variety. Layers of fruit, ice cream, jelly, and whipped cream create a different taste with each bite. Matcha parfaits and fruitladen parfaits are particularly popular, with new seasonal varieties regularly appearing in parfait specialty shops and cafes.
5. Tiramisu
Tiramisu, though Italian in origin, is highly popular in Japan. Japanese versions often incorporate flavors like matcha or hojicha (roasted green tea). The perfect balance of fluffy sponge cake and creamy mascarpone makes tiramisu a favorite in many cafes and patisseries.
1. Sakura Mochi
Enjoyed in spring, sakura mochi is a rice cake wrapped in cherry leaves, with two main varieties: Kantostyle, made with domyoji rice, and Kansaistyle, with a thin outer layer enclosing sweet bean paste. Both offer the delightful aroma of cherry blossoms.
2. Mizu Yokan
Mizu yokan, perfect for summer, is a cool, jellylike wagashi made from agar and red bean paste. Served chilled, it provides a refreshing sweetness and makes for a popular summer gift.
3. Kuri Kinton
Kuri kinton, an autumn treat, features a rich chestnut flavor. Made by mashing steamed chestnuts, this simple yet flavorful wagashi is especially famous in Nakatsugawa, Gifu Prefecture, a renowned production area.
4. Oshiruko
Oshiruko is a warm winter dessert consisting of sweet red bean soup with mochi or shiratama (rice flour dumplings). It’s a comforting treat perfect for cold weather, easily made at home to warm up and enjoy its sweetness.
1. Pudding
Japanese convenience stores offer a variety of delicious puddings, including popular smoothtextured types like “Torokeru Pudding” and “Nameraka Pudding.” Seasonal flavors and premium options make pudding a fun item to explore.
2. Mont Blanc
Convenience store Mont Blanc cakes are small but rich, with creamy, dense fillings. Variations featuring Japanese chestnuts are particularly popular, each store offering its unique take.
3. Roll Cake
Convenience store roll cakes, like the “Premium Roll Cake,” boast fluffy sponge and generous cream fillings, rivaling those from specialty shops. Seasonal flavors ensure there’s always something new to try.
4. Eclair
Eclairs, with their chocolatecoated choux pastry filled with cream, are a delightful treat available at convenience stores. Simple yet indulgent, they make for a quick, satisfying dessert.
5. Cheesecake
Japanese convenience stores offer various types of cheesecakes, including souffle and baked styles. The soft and fluffy souffle cheesecake is particularly popular, while the rich baked cheesecake provides a more intense cheese flavor.
Japanese sweets and desserts, with their diversity and delicate flavors, are a delightful part of Japan’s rich culinary culture. From the traditional beauty of wagashi to the creative evolution of Westerninspired treats and seasonal specialties, there’s always something new to enjoy. When visiting Japan, indulge in the local sweets and experience the depth of its food culture. Enjoying sweets throughout the year allows you to feel the changing seasons, enriching your travel memories.
Sweets exploration in Japan is a dream come true for dessert lovers. Savor the delights from famous shops and convenience stores alike, experiencing the depth of Japanese culinary culture. Enjoy the seasonal sweets and feel the passage of time, making your trip even more memorable.
