Crafting the Seasons: Japanese Sweets and Matcha Experience

Turn the beauty of Japan’s changing seasons into something you can hold, shape, and taste. In this hands-on experience, you’ll create three seasonal nerikiri, traditional Japanese wagashi inspired by flowers, nature, and celebrations throughout the year. Your professionally trained, bilingual instructor will guide you through each step, from preparing the nerikiri dough to coloring and shaping it into delicate seasonal designs. As you work, you’ll learn about the ingredients and techniques used to make nerikiri, as well as the meaning and inspiration behind each motif. The designs change with the seasons, reflecting the flowers, natural scenery, and traditional celebrations associated with each season. This gives you a closer look at how Japanese aesthetics are expressed through wagashi, where shape, color, and detail can reflect the season. To complete the experience, you’ll learn how to whisk your own bowl of matcha and enjoy it with one of your handmade sweets. Your instructor will introduce you to the basic etiquette of drinking matcha and provide an overview of Chado, the Japanese Way of Tea, and omotenashi, the spirit of Japanese hospitality. No previous experience is required. With step-by-step guidance, you can enjoy creating your own seasonal wagashi while discovering the connection between Japanese sweets, nature, aesthetics, and culture.