Cultures

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year between sunrise and sunset. It falls on the 21st or 22nd of June in the solar calendar, right in the middle of the summer season. It was a busy time for farmers in old Japan as it marked the end of the rice planting season and the beginning of s...

We recommend the prestigious and delicate traditional confectioneries from the famous Kyoto house, Suetomi!Suetomi is a Kyoto-based wagashi house, and it can be a bit of a challenge to buy their sweets in the Tokyo area.However, the sweets are playful, dainty, and delicate, and you will be glad if ...

Spend your tea time loving the cute Hinamatsuri sweets that wish for the healthy growth of girls. Hinamatsuri originated in ancient China as an event to ward off evil spirits, but by the Edo period (1603-1868), it had developed into a unique Japanese culture of doll decorating.

Usui is one of the 24th solar term, when snow turns to rain. In the lunar calendar, it is the 15th day after Risshun. It's still cold and hot tea is the best drink of the season. This is the time when confectionery shops start selling gorgeous tea sweets for Hanami season.

About Risshun, the beginning of spring. Risshun is around the 4th. Sweets for the first day of spring is tsubaki mochi. A charming rice cake sandwiched between two small camellia leaves is a classic early spring treat.