Traditional Sweets (Nerikiri) Making with Tea Ceremony

Nerikiri wagashi are small traditional Japanese sweet treats made from plant-based ingredients (the main dough is a mix of beans and rice powder). Literally meaning “Japanese sweets,” it’s an edible art form that you’ll find almost everywhere throughout Japan, and which are often seen as an element used in traditional tea ceremonies. Wagashi sweets pair well well with a bowl of matcha green tea and can be eaten as an afternoon snack or as a beautiful dessert. Handmade wagashi are crafted with careful attention to detail, with references to the stunning nature found in Japan. Wagashi making takes time and patience, but the end result is satisfying for its deliciousness and thoughtful aesthetics. Considered to be a historical dish that is deeply tied to Japanese culture, traditional wagashi sweets are delicate and colorful and are a must-eat when visiting Japan. Create your own wagashi during a Wagashi Making Class in Tokyo, where you’ll learn how to make beautiful Japanese sweets from traditional ingredients and techniques. You’ll make sweet dough typical of wagashi, then color and shape it, forming it into decorative and tasty wagashi. In this special wagashi-making class in Tokyo, you’ll learn how to hold, mold, and create your delicate Japanese desserts made from vegan and gluten-free ingredients. You’ll be making nerikiri wagashi, with motif designs that change depending on the season of the class. Enjoy your 4 beautifully handcrafted pieces of nerikiri wagashi with a complimentary bowl of green tea that you will learn how to make yourself. The instructor will also teach you the etiquette for drinking tea and enlighten you about the spirit of "Chado" tea ceremony and omotenashi (Japanese hospitality).