Hinagashi Traditional Japanese Sweet Making in Tsuruoka

Designated in 2014 as the first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Tsuruoka is nestled amongst the three sacred mountains of Dewa in northeastern Japan. Known for its seasonality and unique topography, which has shaped the gastronomy of the area to be something not found elsewhere. During this experience, learn how to make one of Tsuruoka City's most ancient sweets, the Hinagashi. This sweet was brought to Tsuruoka all the way from Kyoto via the Kitamae bune, merchant ships that sailed from Osaka to Hokkaido along the Sea of Japan from the 1700s- to the early 1900s. This confection is a product of a mixture of both Edo (old Tokyo) and Kyoto culinary culture, which has since distinguished itself from its former roots to become something very "Tsuruoka" in both shape and flavor. Learn how to make colorful and unique nerikiri style Hinagashi alongside a master confectioner. Make local favorites such as the "maki-dai" (sea bream), considered a good luck charm, and the "mikan" (mandarin orange), which is so realistic you might forget it's made out of white bean paste! Since each Hinagashi is made by hand and not with any presses or molds, each person's distinctive style can be seen as they create a truly one-of-a-kind confection every time. Once you have finished making your Hinagashi, enjoy a cup of hot Japanese green tea as you indulge in the subtle sweetness and taste this confection has to offer.