5 Japanese sweets you must try 甘いもの
Watch out for cavities!
Sugar has long been a rarity in the archipelago before exploding in modern times into a multitude of tastes, shapes, colors, to the delight of children and adults alike. This small selection presents only the sweets that can be bought packaged in stores and in konbinis!
- The Wasanbon
These traditional sweets are generally purchased in specialized shops in tourist areas and at airports. They are composed solely of sugar, following a complex process transforming it into a dry paste. You can chew them or let them melt gently in your mouth. These little sweet treats are modeled in a thousand ways: flowers, animals, geometric shapes, etc. These are truly typical Japanese sweets, ideal for gift giving. Wasanbon is often used as wagashi during tea ceremonies. In the West, it is possible to find some at Toraya's oversee branches.
- Kino ko and Take no ko
This very famous cookie duo is found in the bags of all Japanese children (and their parents). It is, however, a simple cookie coated with chocolate, in the shape of a mushroom (ki no ko) or a bamboo shoot (take no ko). Perfect snack!
Read: Halloween in Japan
- The Karinto
Karinto is wheat biscuits dipped in syrup and caramelized until they turn black. Don't be fooled by their unappetizing appearance, these crispy cookies are a real treat with enough sugar to last a whole day.
- The Kiriame
These "cut candies" are perfectly cute. These hard candies, made in the form of a roll, reveal a pattern in the center when cut. All the patterns exist, flowers, suns, characters, manga and anime characters, etc. They are among the most popular sweets in Japan.
Read also: Ameya Yokochô in Tokyo
- The Kit-kats
The Kit-Kat has become a veritable institution in Japan, partly thanks to its name. "Kat" is pronounced katsu by the Japanese, meaning "to win". The Kit-kat has therefore become the candy that all students take with them during their exams to bring good luck (in the same vein, breaded pork, tonkatsu, and bonito, katsuo, also bring good luck). There are unique varieties in Japan and often in limited edition: strawberry, cherry, green tea, sesame, sweet potato, cheesecake, etc. Bringing back Kit-kat becomes a typically Japanese souvenir.
