Wagashi: Make Nerikiri & Mochi and Enjoy Matcha in Tokyo

In this comprehensive lesson, you’ll learn to make three types of Japanese wagashi sweets and unveil the secrets to a perfect bowl of matcha. Wagashi sweets you'll make in this class: -Fruit daifuku: a juicy fruit wrapped in a soft mochi dough, this smooth treat is one of Japan's staples! You will use either strawberry, pineapple, kiwi or other fruits depending on seasonality. -Three-color dango: also known as hanami dango, this photogenic snack consists of three colorful mochi balls on a skewer. -Nerikiri wagashi: a sweet bean paste and mochi confectionery, you'll shape dough into a beautiful seasonal motif to create a delicate nerikiri. Your wagashi will be naturally gluten-free, vegan, and not overly sweet, consisting of only a few ingredients: sweet bean paste, water, mochi flour, and sugar. Despite its simplicity, achieving a soft and smooth wagashi is no easy task, so your expert host will assist you every step of the way. Then, you will enjoy your sweets with a cup of matcha expertly prepared by you (with help from your instructor)! Flow of the experience: -Introduction and overview of the cultural significance of mochi -Learn how to make mochi, and prepare fruit daifuku mochi and hanami dango skewers -Shape dough to create two pieces of seasonal nerikiri wagashi -Time to take photos of your creations -Enjoy your handmade sweets with matcha tea, or take your sweets to go Your host, Satoko, is a bilingual instructor in Japanese and English based in Tokyo. With nearly 25 years of international experience and a passion for diverse cuisines, Satoko opened her wagashi-making school to share authentic Japanese sweets and their culture. She is a certified food sanitation supervisor by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and an instructor from the Wanaha Artfood Association and the Wagashi Promotion Association Japan. Satoko is committed to providing high-quality wagashi-making classes.