Abstract

★Eleven of Tokyo’s Finest Wagashi Shops, Beloved by Discerning Sweets Enthusiasts
★In a City That Never Stops Changing, Some Things Endure: The Stories of Tokyo’s Confectioners, Passed Down Through the Generations

When people think of wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets, they may picture Kyoto. Yet Tokyo, too, is home to confectionery shops deeply rooted in their local communities. In this ever-changing metropolis, renowned establishments frequented by discerning sweets lovers and trusted by tea practitioners have quietly but steadfastly carried on their traditions throughout history.

This book introduces Tokyo’s confectioners, whose traditions were nurtured by Edo culture, survived devastating earthquakes and wartime destruction, and have been passed down through generations through the practice of the tea ceremony.

The eleven shops featured are Minowa (Hiroo), Kikuya (Aoyama), Kameya Mannendo (Kichijoji), Shoto (Higashikurume), Baikatei (Kagurazaka), Misakiya (Tomigaya), Genta Man’eido (Okubo), Shiono (Akasaka), Komaki (Kamakura), Sasama (Jimbocho), and Echigoya Wakasaya (Ryogoku).

From long-established shops cherished for generations to newer establishments embracing the spirit of the times, what are the traditions, values, and craftsmanship that these shops and the people behind them have worked so hard to preserve? Through their stories, this book offers a glimpse into the enduring charm of Tokyo’s wagashi culture.

Author’s Information

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