Wagashi: Chadango and Minazuki

Wagashi: Chadango and Minazuki (茶だんご みなづき) Wagashi: Chadango and Minazuki (茶だんご みなづき) Minazuki is an early summer wagashi that from centuries ago commoners ate on the day that royals ate — ice.…
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Wagashi: Ryuen Rakuseki and Maccha Rakuseki

Wagashi Series: Ryuen Rakuseki and Maccha Rakuseki (柳苑: 楽石・抹茶楽石) Wagashi: Ryuen Rakuseki and Maccha Rakuseki Ryuen specializes in a simple and elegant wagashi that combines a center of candied kuri (chestnut) embedded in koshian (sweet azuki bean paste) with a coating of sugar and kuzu (arrow root starch), some with the addition of sugary green tea powder (maccha). Ryuen‘s wagashi is decidedly classical in…
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Gion Koishi — Kakigori, summer time treat in Gion

Gion Koishi — Kakigori (shaved ice) in Gion (祇園小石)
Hard to believe that ‘shaved ice’ could be elegant and sophisticated, so Kyoto! Gion Koishi - preview Gion Koshi, ameya (candy shop) is surely the best known place in Gion, and probably Kyoto for kakigori (shaved ice). Shaved ice in Japan actually has a very long history, dating back more than a thousand years to…
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