Ohagi & Botamochi, Japanese Seasonal Treats
General Description of Ohagi and Botamochi Ohagi and Botamochi are traditional Japanese sweets made from glutinous rice covered with sweet red bean paste. These sweet rice balls are called different …
Author: Takeshi Shimizu
The Hozuki Ichi Festival and the Arrival of Summer
The Hozuki Ichi festival is a traditional summer event held annually at the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. This vibrant festival has been celebrated since the Edo period and takes …
Japanese Melon Pan
What is Melon Pan? Japanese Melon Pan is a sweet bread pastry that originated in Japan. Despite its name, it doesn’t usually contain melon flavor. Instead, it’s characterized by its …
Japanese Hayashi Rice
Hayashi Rice is a popular and comforting dish in Japanese cuisine. It is a Western-style dish with Japanese adaptations, typically featuring a thick, flavorful beef and onion stew served over …
Firework displays in Japan
Fireworks have a long history in Japan and are an integral part of many summer festivals. Firework festivals are a summertime tradition where people in Japan enjoy watching great works …
“Asagao Ichi” Festival, at Iriya, Tokyo
The History of Asagao, Morning Glory, in Japan History shows that the plant “Asagao” (known as “morning glories” in English) was brought to Japan from China through the Envoy to …
Spaghetti Napolitan, a Japanese Pasta Dish
Spaghetti Napolitan is a type of pasta dish which has been a signature item on the menu of “Kissaten,” old Japanese style cafes for a long time. Many people in …
The birth of “Anpan,” a sweet bun with red bean paste
Generally speaking, “anpan” is a small bun filled with red bean paste which has been quite popular as a sweets amongst Japanese people. “An” means the filling inside the bread, …
The Story of Yokohama Three Towers
The story of Yokohama three towers (横浜三塔物語) is a kind of urban legends that if you go to the three spots where you can see all three towers at the …
The Origin of Ningyoyaki
Ningyoyaki (人形焼) is one of the most famous types of confectionery or souvenirs of Tokyo. It is a tiny cake baked in a small mold, and it’s filled with sweet …