What is WAGASHI?
WAGASHI are Japanese traditional confections that are typically served with Japanese tea.
The interesting thing is that each wagashi represents beauty of Japanese seasons and nature. Many of them are seasonal words and Japanese people feel the transitions of seasons when they have wagashi. Let me explain typical wagashi for each season. I hope you’ll like it!
Spring
Spring is the special moment for Japanese people to enjoy beautiful Sakura(cherry blossom). You can see many of Wagashi in spring season are somewhat related to sakura and its pink color. Sakura-mochi is a pink rice cake filled with red bean paste. It is wrapped in salt-picked cherry blossom leaf. Sakura-mochi is a seasonal word for spring, and You can enjoy the taste of Japanese spring!
Summer
Minazuki is one of the traditional wagashi usually sold in June. Its name “Minazuki” is an old way to call June in Japanese. Its triangle shape represents ice and red beans on the top are to expel evil spirits. Historically, Japanese people enjoy Minazuki to pray for good health for the last half year.
Autumn
In Japan, people say autumn is the best season to have a good appetite. In Autumn, seasonal foods such as chestnuts and sweet potatoes are used for wagashi. For example, Kurikinton is mashed sweet potatoes with sweetened chestnuts.
Winter
Hanabira-mochi is filled with White miso paste and gobo wrapped in white flat and round-shaped mochi. It is usually eaten at the beginning of the year, and served in new year’s tea ceremonies.
Alex and Michelle's experience
Our volunteers, Alex and Michelle enjoyed making Wagashi as one of the contents in our wedding photo plan.
Since it was in early December, we made winter versions of wagashi. Michelle told us that it was the great opportunity for them to get to know Japanese culture even more deeply. Alex also mentioned that there are similar sweets in Taiwan but Japanese wagashi is more complicated and delicate.
We believe Wagashi represents Japanese way to treasure each seasons and natures. It is great way to feel Japanese mind and beautiful seasons. There are many places where you can experience making Wagashi in Kyoto. Why don’t you come to Japan and experience it?
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