Wagashi Pix

“Children’s Day” is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5. This day was celebrated in order to wish the healthy growth and happiness of the boys in the family.

In Japan, carp is believed as a symbol of strength and courage. Therefore, we have custom of hanging out Koinobori (carp streamers) on a tall pole on Children’s Day to pray that boys in the house will take after carp and live their lives strongly.

The wagashi in the photo is a special Children’s Day treat modeled after the carp streamers.
This type of wagashi is originally known as Ayu (sweetfish) which is very familiar during the summer season. Sweet rice cake and bean paste are covered with a thin pancake-like skin.

Japanese seems to love molding confection into fish (such as taiyaki). Our love into fish is quite amazing!

Shop information:
Tsuruya Yoshinobu’s homepage (Japanese)
Tsuruya Yoshinobu’s homepage (English translated by Google)

This confection is a soft rice cake coated with green soybean flour. Its color is light green like a uguisu (bush warbler), the symbol of spring. It has a filling made of sweet red bean paste.

Shop location:
4-4-2, Eifuku,
Suginami-ku, Tokyo 168-0064
（Other chain stores）

Shop’s website:
Aoyagi’s homepage (Japanese)
Aoyagi’s homepage (English translated by Google)

Kuzugashi is a tiny candy-like wagashi that is simply made of sugar and kuzuko (kudzu starch).
It is molded into various shapes such as flowers, leaves, and vegetables.

The process of molding kuzugashi

The grains are so fine that they melt easily in your mouth.

Shop location:
2579 Yoshinoyama, Yoshinomachi
Yoshino-gun, Nara 639-3115

Shippunsei-Saomono is a type of wagashi which is very similar to yokan, but is partially made of crumbled anko. It is usually sold in block form, and eaten in slices.
This is called “Momiji-Gasane”. The three colors represent those of tinted autumnal leaves.

Shop location:
4-9-22 Akasaka,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8401
（Other chain stores）

Shop’s website:
Toraya’s homepage (Japanese)
Toraya’s homepage (English)

Yumochi is the original wagashi of Chimoto sold as one of Hakone’s regional souvenir sweets.
As for the ingredients, mochiko(rice flour) and egg white are used, so it’s sticky like mochi and fluffy like marshmallow. Pieces of yokan are mixed inside, and yuzu is added for flavoring.

A beautiful package of Yumochi.

Shop location:
690 Yumoto Hakonemachi,
Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa 250-0311

Shop’s website:
Chimoto’s homepage (Japanese)
Chimoto’s homepage (English translated by Google)