Enjoy Reinvented Wagashi Sweets at Tokyo’s Stylish New Shops

Wagashi—traditional Japanese sweets—are a harmonious fusion of culinary tradition and aesthetics. Classic wagashi remain much loved to this day, but innovative minds have reinvented these sweets to suit the times.

Iyemon Salon: A peaceful tearoom in bustling Shibuya

Iyemon Salon's relaxing ambience and classy interior, inspired by traditional architecture, will make you forget that you're in bustling Shibuya. Here, you can savor every drop and bite as you enjoy tea and vegan sweets in peace. Tea is Iyemon's specialty, and its matcha sweets are must-tries. But if you can't make up your mind, go for a platter of assorted sweets.

HIGASHIYA man Marunouchi: Wagashi as part of daily life

Branching out from its beginnings as a manju (sweet bun) shop, HIGASHIYA man has been on a mission to make wagashi a part of daily life, instead of something only given away as souvenirs. Its large, fluffy soda manju is a hit, but it's best known for its Hitokuchi-gashi line of bite-sized, fruity treats—a homage to the ancient fruit-and-nut sweets that were precursors to wagashi. HIGASHIYA man also has a stylish tea room, where you can have high-quality tea to go with your sweets.

Daisan Mannendo Hanare: Breaking free from tradition

Reika Yasuhara, is the owner of Hanare, a spin-off of her family's wagashi shop, Daisan Mannendo, which dates back over three centuries. At Hanare, familiar wagashi are given new form. Traditional and modern ingredients are combined to create delightfully adorable sweets. You can't go wrong with the anko (red bean paste) butter dora-pan—made with rice flour and Daisan Mannendo's secret anko recipe—and the amazake (fermented rice) cheese tea drink.

Iyemon Salon Shibuya Hikarie

HIGASHIYA man Marunouchi

Daisan Mannendo Hanare