"What to Do When Someone Says 'I Prefer Wagashi Over Western Sweets': A List of Wonderful Wagashi That Will Delight"

What to Give to Those Who Like Wagashi?

When meeting with in-laws, grandparents, or relatives, one often struggles with what to bring as a "hand gift".

Recently, I've been thinking about the difficulty of choices when I get information like, "It seems they prefer wagashi!"

When it comes to Western sweets like chocolate or cookies, I eat them often and know various brands, but what about wagashi...???

Can you quickly think of trendy, popular, stylish wagashi...???

(I could only think of Toraya's yokan!)

Those wagashi shops with hundreds of years of history that can be found in any department store have a sense of reliability and are "safe," but they may lack a sense of specialness or surprise.

However, even if I wanted to choose something beyond those classics, I found myself pondering, "Is this delicious or popular?" due to a lack of information, and I couldn’t decide which to buy....

So!

In this article, I’ve gathered "stylish and cute wagashi" that I would like to choose if I were to gift wagashi.

Rather than items readily available at a nearby department store, I've collected things that you’d be happy to receive with a "Wow, I've never seen this before!" feeling from a mail order♩

Recommended Wagashi for Gifts #1: Jazz Yokan

"Jazz Yokan," from the store "Jazz to Yokan" located in Yufuin. It's a beautifully designed yokan featuring piano keys♡

The yokan uses domestic adzuki beans and black sugar from Okinawa, filled with two types of dried figs that have been soaked in wine overnight. Though it’s yokan, it has a fig aroma and sweetness that pairs well with coffee and wine, making it very popular＊

It's recommended not only for the elderly but also as a gift for men and foreigners♩

In the past, there was a "Chocolate & Jazz Yokan Set" for Mother's Day.

There are various seasonal sets available, such as "Honey Lemonade & Jazz Yokan (Apple Mint Ginger)" limited to summer♩

➡ You can buy Jazz Yokan here＊

Recommended Wagashi for Gifts #2: Kohakuto from Koshinoyuki Honpo Yamato

"Koshinoyuki Honpo Yamato," a wagashi shop established in 1778, located in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture.

They sell a variety of wagashi from namagashi to dry sweets, but the recommended gift is their "Kohakuto."

The Kohakuto from Koshinoyuki Honpo Yamato is released in various designs depending on the season＊

Here are the hydrangea Kohakuto sold during the rainy season. Treats that reflect the seasons are fantastic, right?♡

This "Kohaku no Tsumiki" is available year-round. It seems great as a hand gift for families with young children＊

There’s also beautiful Kohakuto called "Kaleidoscope Fragment"＊

➡ Here’s the official online shop for Koshinoyuki Honpo Yamato＊

Recommended Wagashi for Gifts #3: Kakiori from HIGASHIYA

"HIGASHIYA," a wagashi shop that opened in 2009 in Ginza's Pola Building. They create new wagashi by adapting traditional Japanese sweets to modern living＊

Among them, the winter limited item "Kakiori" is highly recommended.

Kakiori is dried persimmon filled with white bean paste and thinly sliced butter. The dried persimmon is packed tightly with sweet red bean paste and butter, creating a rich texture and taste that is addictive♡

➡ Here’s HIGASHIYA's official online shop＊

Recommended Wagashi for Gifts #4: Hanasakakarin

"Hanasakakarin," a beautifully presented wagashi gift.

With a blooming flower appearance, it hardly looks like karinto...!

Hanasakakarin is made by artisans who fry each flower shape by hand right after frying. Creating such delicate flowers by hand is truly a craftsman's skill♡

All of Hanasakakarin’s colors are made using domestically sourced vegetables, creating a gentle flavor that subtly spreads the taste of vegetables (spinach, purple sweet potato, pumpkin, tomato, etc.).

There is also “Choco Karin” covered in chocolate♡

➡ Here’s the official online shop for Hanasakakarin＊

Recommended Wagashi for Gifts #5: Kameya Yoshinaga

"Kameya Yoshinaga," a wagashi shop with a proud history since 1803 in Kyoto.

In addition to traditional sweets, they sell many cute and new wagashi that are sure to make your heart skip a beat just by looking at them＊

Here’s their "Kiku Zukushi" made with wasanbon sugar.

And the yokan "Cream Soda"♡

The kohakuto shaped like a "Fan"＊

The jelly "Iki Ai."

It was introduced on TV Asahi's show "Rare Person Brought Along," where the eighth generation Okami is said to be coming up with new ideas♡

➡ Here’s Kameya Yoshinaga's official online shop＊

Recommended Wagashi for Gifts #6: Amou from Kanou Shoujuan

"Kanou Shoujuan," a wagashi shop located in Shiga Prefecture.

Kanou Shoujuan sells "Amou Karuta," which is a type of monaka♡

Isn’t it amazing that a monaka features designs from the Hyakunin Isshu...?

Amou Karuta allows you to cut the signature sweet "Amou" (made by wrapping soft rice cake with Tanba Dainagon adzuki beans) into your preferred size and then enjoy it in between (sold separately).

It’s a playful wagashi♡

➡ Here’s Kanou Shoujuan's official online shop＊

Now, You Can Address Requests for "Wagashi"!

I introduced wagashi that you would want to buy via “mail order” rather than those commonly available in department stores＊

Of course, traditional wagashi and local delicacies are delicious and perfect for a hand gift, but something that can’t be bought locally and ordered online feels special, and I’m sure people will delightfully say, "You prepared this for me!? Thank you!!♡"

Since mail ordering may take about a week, it’s best to place your order early♩