Wagashi, or Japanese traditional confectionery, is characterized by its subtle sweetness, simple ingredients, and delicate appearance. Besides tasting lovely, they’re also a treat to look at, and their designs are often inspired by the seasons. During spring, people in Japan tend to enjoy sakura mochi, a sweet, pink-colored rice cake with red bean paste filling wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf. In summer, the transparent kanten (agar) jelly in anmitsu provides a cooling respite from the heat, along with fresh fruit, a dollop of ice cream, and a healthy drizzle of kuromitsu (black sugar syrup). Moreover, they taste excellent with green tea!

Do you have a favorite wagashi? Keep scrolling to see a beautiful selection of Japanese sweets!

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