Would You Like to Enjoy Both Wagashi-Making and the Tea Ceremony While Discovering the Spirit of Wabi-Sabi?
- Shinya Yamada
- Apr 1
- 4 min read
Why You Need Both Wagashi and the Tea Ceremony to Truly Understand Wabi-Sabi
For many international visitors to Japan, the tea ceremony and the legacy of the samurai are among the most compelling cultural experiences. Yet one element deeply woven into both traditions often goes unnoticed: wagashi, Japan’s traditional confections. Why not deepen your appreciation of wabi-sabi by experiencing wagashi making and the tea ceremony together?
Wagashi are delicate sweets served with matcha during the tea ceremony. Their refined forms and gentle colors reflect Japan’s changing seasons and embody the aesthetic of wabi-sabi—a reverence for simplicity, impermanence, and natural beauty. Historically, many samurai practiced the tea ceremony as a form of spiritual refinement, making wagashi not only a culinary
tradition but also an artistic expression tied to the values of Japan’s warrior class.
Despite their beauty and symbolism, the word “wagashi” is still unfamiliar to many outside Japan. As a result, wagashi-making experiences often remain under the radar, even though these confections are central to understanding Japanese aesthetics and hospitality.
In fact, it is through the combined experience of wagashi and the tea ceremony that one can truly begin to grasp the spirit of wabi-sabi—not merely as a visual style but as a lived, seasonal, and sensory philosophy that values subtlety, transience, and harmony.
To help bridge this cultural gap, we offer an immersive program that goes beyond hands-on cooking. You’ll discover the meaning and seasonal artistry behind wagashi and enjoy them in the context they were made for—the tea ceremony. Together, they open a window into the elegant heart of Japanese tradition.
What Is Wagashi?
Wagashi are traditional Japanese confections made primarily from plant-based ingredients such as beans, rice, and wheat. They are more than sweets—they are seasonal works of art crafted to reflect nature’s beauty. With delicate colors and intricate shapes, wagashi are designed to complement a bowl of matcha during the tea ceremony. While generally low in fat, they are rich in carbohydrates due to their sugar and starch content, offering a subtle and satisfying sweetness.
What You Will Gain from This Tour
In this hands-on cultural program, you’ll learn to create traditional Japanese sweets under the guidance of a master wagashi artisan using techniques passed down through generations. You’ll also have the opportunity to taste the refined flavors of Baikatei, a historic confectionery favored by luxury hotels and renowned for its use of all-natural ingredients. Finally, you’ll take part in an authentic tea ceremony where you can enjoy your handmade sweets with freshly whisked matcha in a serene, traditional setting.
Kagurazaka’s Esteemed Baikatei
Founded in 1935, Baikatei is one of Kagurazaka’s most respected wagashi shops. Known for its commitment to seasonality and craftsmanship, Baikatei is especially admired for its signature anko (sweet bean paste), carefully prepared in 23 unique variations—each crafted to suit the character of the sweet that surrounds it.
The Venue: Fufumi-an
The class takes place at Fufumi-an, a tranquil cultural space located in the charming backstreets of Yokodera-cho in Kagurazaka, an area once favored by Meiji-era writers and intellectuals. The name "Fufumi" is an old Japanese word that refers to budding flowers, echoing the seasonal sensitivity central to wagashi.
Completed in August 2024, the Fufumi-an building showcases Japanese architectural refinement. Designed in the Sukiya-zukuri style, it features domestic cypress wood, hand-finished Jūraku earthen walls, and a graceful entrance paved with Tanba granite—all chosen to reflect harmony with nature.
Your Experience
With guidance from a skilled artisan from Baikatei, you will create two types of Jo-Namagashi—a premium class of fresh wagashi with more than 30% moisture content. These confections are made from Nerikiri, a soft dough combining white bean paste and sugar, and are often shaped into seasonal flowers or motifs.
After your sweets are complete, you’ll step into a traditional tea room to enjoy your creations alongside a bowl of matcha. This quiet, reflective moment allows you to experience the harmony between flavor, texture, season, and setting—just as it has been practiced in Japanese tea culture for centuries.
Note: Please bring white or beige socks, which are required to enter the tea room. Bare feet or stockings are not permitted, but socks can be provided if needed.
Meet the Artisan
Your instructor is Takeshi Inoue, the fourth-generation head of Baikatei. He holds the title of both Tokyo Meister and Excellent Wagashi Artisan, the highest honors awarded to wagashi makers in Japan.
A Tokyo Meister is officially recognized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for exceptional technical skill and dedication to traditional arts.
An Excellent Wagashi Artisan is a distinction given to craftsmen who combine mastery with creativity and serve as models of excellence in the field.
Whether you are a food lover, a cultural traveler, or simply curious about Japanese tradition, this program is more than a class—it’s an invitation into the soul of Japan.
We warmly welcome you to create, taste, and reflect through the delicate and profound world of wagashi and tea.
Book Each Experience
How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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