Discover the Art of Wagashi: Traditional Japanese Sweets That Capture Japan’s Beauty

Wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets, beautifully express the essence of Japan. Their delicate shapes, seasonal motifs, and subtle flavors reflect how Japanese culture values nature, balance, and mindfulness.

By making wagashi yourself, you don’t simply learn a recipe—you experience a way of thinking that lies at the heart of Japanese aesthetics.

Why Wagashi Reflects the Essence of Japan

Inspired by the Changing Seasons

Wagashi designs are closely tied to nature, often reflecting flowers, plants, and landscapes unique to each season. This deep awareness of seasonal change is a fundamental part of Japanese culture, and wagashi offers one of its most tangible expressions.

Crafted with Care and Precision

From shaping nerikiri by hand to delicately cutting petals with scissors, wagashi-making requires patience and focus.The process mirrors Japanese craftsmanship, where intention and respect for materials are just as important as the final form.

Closely Connected to Tea Ceremony and Hospitality

Wagashi plays an essential role in Chado, the Japanese tea ceremony.More than just a sweet, it helps set the tone for welcoming guests with quiet thoughtfulness and omotenashi, Japan’s spirit of hospitality.

Three Wagashi Experiences to Choose From

We offer three different wagashi-making lessons, each focusing on a unique aspect of traditional Japanese sweets .Depending on your interests, schedule, and how deeply you’d like to explore the craft, you can choose the experience that best suits you.

① Japanese Sweets (Mochi & Nerikiri) Making at a Private Studio

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

This immersive class introduces both the techniques and cultural meaning behind traditional Japanese sweets. Participants will learn how to make mochi, including practical tips for handling its famously sticky texture, as well as the basic techniques for crafting nerikiri wagashi.

Guided by a certified instructor, you’ll gain skills that can be recreated at home. After finishing the sweets, you’ll enjoy your creations with a bowl of matcha prepared by yourself, while learning proper tea etiquette and the philosophy of Chado.

The class is held in a private studio in Tokyo, where you can also gain insight into local life and receive recommendations for sightseeing and shopping.

② Japanese Sweets Making with Tea Ceremony in a Private Studio

Duration: 2 hours

In this creative workshop, you will craft beautifully detailed nerikiri wagashi—traditional, plant-based Japanese sweets often served during tea ceremonies.

You’ll learn how to prepare the dough, color it, and shape it into elegant seasonal designs. The process is calm and meditative, and the result is deeply satisfying both visually and in taste.

Participants will create three handcrafted nerikiri wagashi, then enjoy them with a bowl of green tea prepared by yourself. The instructor will also introduce tea etiquette, the philosophy of Chado, and the spirit of omotenashi.

③ Interactive Mochi-Making Experience in a Private Studio

Duration: 2 hours

In this hands-on experience, you will not only learn how to make mochi from scratch, but also discover the cultural background and significance of mochi in Japan.

This highly interactive class is suitable for participants of all ages, making it an enjoyable experience for families as well as mixed-age groups(minimum age to join: 4 years old).

During the class, you will prepare and taste five different kinds of mochi dishes, all made from scratch. You’ll experience the unique texture of freshly made mochi by touching, shaping, and transforming it into a variety of traditional and modern desserts.

At the end of the session, you can enjoy your handmade mochi with green tea or coffee.(Other fruits will be used in place of strawberries if they are unavailable.)

This relaxed and engaging workshop offers a fun, sensory way to understand Japanese food culture through one of its most beloved ingredients.

How to Make a Reservation

Group lessons are available for groups of 10 or more participants. Pricing varies depending on the number of participants and the studio location.

To make a reservation or inquiry, please contact us via the contact form. For smoother coordination, we recommend including:

• Your group size

• Your preferred date(s)

We look forward to helping you create a memorable wagashi-making experience for your group.