Hello, this is The Gate Hotel Tokyo staff. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a Japanese confectionery-making experience at Ginza Fugetsudo.

This month’s theme was mountain laugh, a lovely kinton (a sweet made of sweetened red bean paste) inspired by spring. First, a wagashi (Japanese sweets) craftsman demonstrated the process of making the wagashi. He layered the bright green and white nerikiri and strained them using a strainer. Next, was rounding the uguisu bean paste that goes in the middle…

After watching the craftsman’s fluid handiwork and listening to his detailed explanations, it was finally time to try making it myself.

Although this is the first time for me to make wagashi, I feel nostalgic as if I remember playing with them when I was a child. Although mine was not quite as neatly organized as the craftsman’s, I managed to complete the mounds. Next, the cherry blossom-colored nerikiri was passed through a fine pastry, and when picked up with chopsticks, it transformed into a lovely flower.

Gradually, as the children in the class got the hang of it, they began to get the shape right… They were so absorbed in the process that they forgot the time had passed.

Of the four finished pieces I created, one was chosen to be served with matcha green tea. Each of the wagashi I made had its own charm, and it was hard to decide which one to choose. I got to take the remaining three pieces home as souvenirs.

　We had a wonderful time with wagashi that were a little different from the ones we had eaten in the past and full of sweetness.

This is a very popular experience, and reservations are accepted one month in advance. Are you ready to give it a try?