Sweet Seasons: Eating Wagashi with Matcha Through the Year
From delicate spring nerikiri to warming winter zenzai, Japan’s traditional sweets — wagashi — change with the seasons. Pair them with a bowl of frothy matcha and you have a delicious window into Japanese culture. Below we introduce our favorite seasonal treats and the best 甘味処 (Japanese dessert cafés) in Tokyo where you can taste them. Each shop link opens in Google Maps so you can start planning your sweet adventure right away.
Spring — Cherry Blossom Elegance
Signature sweet: Nerikiri shaped like sakura blossoms, filled with smooth white bean paste.
Where to try: Tsuruya Yoshinobu Tokyo Mise (Nihonbashi). Sit at the counter and watch the artisan craft a sakura nerikiri just for you before enjoying it with freshly whisked matcha.
Summer — Cool Refreshment
Signature sweet: Anmitsu & kakigōri topped with matcha syrup.
Where to try: Kagurazaka Saryo Honten (Kagurazaka). Their shaded terrace and famous matcha kakigōri make hot Tokyo afternoons blissfully cool.
Autumn — Chestnut Comfort
Signature sweet: Kuri yōkan (chestnut bean‑paste jelly) and roasted sweet‑potato daifuku.
Where to try: Toraya Akasaka Flagship Store. Order their limited‑edition chestnut wagashi set and enjoy it in the serene second‑floor tea room with a bowl of usucha (thin matcha).
Winter — Red‑Bean Warmth
Signature sweet: Hot zenzai (sweet red‑bean soup) with grilled mochi floating on top.
Where to try: Kamejū (Asakusa). Famous for giant dorayaki, this 100‑year‑old shop also serves steaming bowls of zenzai in the colder months — perfect with a robust, slightly bitter matcha that balances the sweetness.
Pairing Basics: Getting the Most from Matcha
Wagashi are intentionally subtle so they won’t overpower matcha’s vegetal bite. When you visit any of the cafés above, try taking one small bite of the sweet and then a sip of tea. The sugar primes your palate, letting the tea’s umami unfold gently. Don’t worry about ceremony — the staff will guide you if you’re new!