Wagashi & Yogashi: 25+ Japanese Sweet Treats

Japan has two main types of desserts. Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets tied to seasonal changes and known for their artistic presentation. Yogashi are Western-style desserts that were introduced in 1543 when Portuguese ships arrived at Tanegashima Island.

Today’s Japanese sweet landscape also includes fusion desserts that blend Japanese and Western elements, such as Western-style treats flavored with distinctly Japanese ingredients like matcha!

1. Easy Strawberry Mochi (Ichigo Daifuku)

Daifuku is a traditional Japanese dessert made of chewy rice cakes filled with sweet stuffing. The most common filling used is “anko” or red bean paste, made from adzuki beans.

Ichigo is the Japanese word for strawberry, and in the case of Ichigo Daifuku, the mochi and anko are wrapped around a whole strawberry. The combination of sweet anko, tart strawberry, and soft mochi creates a delicious balance, making it one of the most beloved types of daifuku.

Easy Strawberry Mochi (Ichigo Daifuku)

Ichigo daifuku is a classic Japanese sweet made with soft, stretchy sweet rice mochi wrapped around fresh strawberries coated in smooth red bean paste. You can't beat freshly made homemade daifuku!

Ichigo daifuku recipe

2. Nameraka Purin (Silky Japanese Custard Pudding)

Purin is a very popular Japanese dessert made with a sweet custard jelly served with a thin layer of caramel. This delicious dessert has many different variations worldwide and is known by various names like flan, creme caramel, custard pudding, or caramel custard. However, in Japan, it is called “purin”.

Both kids and adults love purin, it is considered one of Japan’s most well-loved sweet treats. Treat yourself or loved ones to a homemade version of this beloved dessert!

Nameraka Purin (Silky Japanese Custard Pudding)

This silky no-bake Japanese purin is made with a creamy, melt-in-mouth custard poured over a layer of rich homemade caramel. Best of all, it's simple to make and uses easily accessible ingredients!

Japanese purin recipe

3. Easy Warabi Mochi (with Homemade Kuromitsu Syrup)

Warabi Mochi is a jelly-like Japanese sweet made with warabiko starch from the rhizome of a bracken fern tree.

It is not technically mochi but has a mochi-like texture. It is flavorless on its own and is served with various toppings such as kinako. Black sugar syrup is commonly used as a sweetener! It’s delightful chewy texture and refreshing taste make it a favorite summertime dessert in Japan!

Easy Warabi Mochi (with Homemade Kuromitsu)

Warabi mochi is a unique Japanese dessert made up of jelly-like chunks coated in nutty roasted soybean powder and drizzled with rich homemade dark sugar syrup. Enjoy it chilled on a hot summer day!

Warabi mochi recipe

4. Taiyaki (Japanese Fish-Shaped Waffle)

Taiyaki is a popular Japanese “street” sweet made with a fish-shaped mold filled with sweet red bean paste called “anko.” It is sold by street vendors and stalls across Japan.

The name comes from “tai” meaning red sea bream, and “yaki” meaning grill or fry, and it is loved by both children and adults. Taiyaki is available in various shapes and sizes and can be filled with different flavors, including cream, cheese, matcha, and chocolate.

Taiyaki (Japanese Fish Shaped Waffle)

Taiyaki is a golden waffle-like snack filled with sweet red bean paste and shaped like a fish. It's crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and a well-loved Japanese street food snack. Try making your own authentic Taiyaki at home with this delicious recipe!

Best taiyaki recipe

5. Dorayaki (Japanese Red Bean Pancake)

Dorayaki is a popular Japanese sweet made of two honey-flavored pancakes held together by a layer of sweet red bean paste. It can be customized with different flavors such as custard, cream, and chestnut paste.

This recipe aims to create smooth golden pancakes with a light texture, like those found in Japanese sweet shops.

Easy Dorayaki (Japanese Red Bean Pancake)

Dorayaki is an iconic Japanese snack loved by all generations. Made with two golden honey-flavored pancakes held together with a thick layer of sweet red bean paste, it's so simple yet so good!

Easy dorayaki recipe

6. Japanese Style Lemon Rare Cheesecake (no bake)

Rare cheesecake is the Japanese term used for a no-bake cheesecake. The best part of making a no-bake cheesecake is that you don’t need an oven! In Japan, owning an oven is still considered a bit of a luxury, so this recipe is perfect.

It’s light, zesty and great for summer (or any time of year when you don’t want to use the oven). Although no-bake cheesecakes are usually not as dense as baked cheesecakes, they can be equally delicious!

Japanese Style Lemon Rare Cheesecake (no bake)

Japanese-style lemon rare cheesecake is a light and refreshing dessert, perfect for summer! The biscuit base is flavored with lemon zest, and the cheesecake mixture is made with yogurt and soft cream cheese, creating a well-balanced no-bake cheesecake with the perfect amount of zing!

Japanese rare cheesecake recipe

7. Castella Cake (Kasutera)

If you’re looking for a taste of Japanese history, look no further than Castella, the iconic sponge cake that’s been a favorite for centuries.

Its smooth top and intense sweetness are hallmarks of this Nagasaki-born delicacy.

Japanese Castella Cake (Kasutera)

Learn how to make traditional Japanese Castella, a sweet, moist and fluffy sponge cake made with simple ingredients. It's one of the most popular cakes in Japan and perfect served with tea!

Castella cake recipe

8. Anmitsu (Kanten Jelly Dessert with Red Bean Paste)

Try anmitsu, a refreshing Japanese jelly dessert that’s perfect for summer.

This Meiji-era treat is a delicious combination of translucent kanten jelly with sweet red bean paste, colorful fruits, and chewy rice dumplings!

Anmitsu (Japanese Kanten Jelly Dessert with Red Bean Paste)

Anmitsu is a traditional Japanese jelly dessert topped with red bean paste, rice dumplings and a medley of fruit all drizzled with an addictive dark sugar syrup. Its sweet, refreshing and perfect for summer!

Anmitsu recipe

9. Kansai Style Sakura Mochi (Cherry Blossom Rice Cakes)

Sakura Mochi is a sweet pink dumpling made of sticky rice filled with red bean paste and wrapped in a cherry blossom leaf.

It is available in Japan from March during the cherry blossom season and is associated with the festival Hina Matsuri!

Sakura Mochi (Kansai-Style Cherry Blossom Rice Cakes)

Sakura mochi is a traditional pink rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped with a salted cherry blossom leaf. Its unique flavor and cute appearance are perfect for spring!

Sakura mochi recipe

10. Strawberry Sandwich (Ichigo Sando)

Let me introduce you to Ichigo Sando: a sandwich with a sweet twist, in true Japanese style. Strawberries and cream, wrapped up in a cloud of milk bread.

This recipe is great for making different types of presentations, from classic slices to cross-sections that would look good on Instagram!

Japanese Strawberry Sandwich (Ichigo Sando)

Sandwich meets dessert with this delicious ichigo sando made with fresh strawberries and sweet cream sandwiched between two slices of fluffy white bread.

Ichigo sando recipe

11. “Sweet Potato” Dessert

The Japanese “sweet potato” is a deliciously comforting treat. These bite-sized potato-shaped sweets show off the buttery goodness of satsumaimo in a fun, playful way.

Ideal for anyone seeking a unique dessert experience, it brings the cozy flavors of Japanese autumn to your table.

Japanese “Sweet Potato” Dessert

Suito Poteto is a creamy and buttery dessert made with naturally sweet and nutty mashed Japanese sweet potatoes. It's the perfect cozy Fall treat!

Japanese sweet potato dessert recipe

12. Matcha Rare Cheesecake (no bake)

Cool down with matcha rare cheesecake, Japan’s answer to summer sweets. This no-bake treat offers a delicious combination of creamy cheese and matcha flavor in every bite.

This recipe will show you how to make its signature fluffy texture. If you’re a dessert lover looking for something unique and refreshing, you’ll want to try this again and again.

Matcha Rare Cheesecake (No Bake)

This Matcha Rare Cheesecake is the perfect balance of tangy cream cheese filling and vibrant matcha flavor with a fluffy, mousse-like texture. Easy, elegant and no-bake!

Check out this recipe →

13. Mizu Yokan (Japanese Red Bean Jelly)

Yokan is a Japanese dessert made with red bean paste, sugar, and a setting agent like agar agar or kanten. It has a jelly-like texture and is served with green tea. Yokan originated from a Chinese jelly dessert that used gelatin, but Japan replaced it with steamed red beans and flour.

Kanten was later discovered and used to make Yokan, which is now a popular dessert and gift in Japan, available in various shapes, sizes, and flavors.

Mizu Yokan (Japanese Red Bean Jelly)

Mizu Yokan is a soft Japanese jelly dessert flavored with sweet adzuki bean paste! This traditional Japanese sweet melts in the mouth and goes perfectly with green tea!

Mizu yokan recipe

14. Matcha Roll Cake (Green Tea Swiss Roll)

Roll Cake is a light sponge cake filled with cream, chocolate, or jam, then rolled. Matcha Roll Cake is a Japanese twist with green tea powder, fresh cream, vanilla, and strawberries.

Japanese roll cakes are a little milder in sweetness and usually contain cream and fresh fruits like strawberries and kiwi. They’re considered luxury, special occasion cakes and come in unusual flavors.

Matcha Roll Cake (Green Tea Swiss Roll)

This irresistible matcha roll cake is made with fresh cream and strawberries wrapped in a beautifully fluffy green tea-infused sponge.

Matcha roll cake recipe

15. Mitarashi Dango (Rice Dumplings with Sweet Soy Glaze)

Dango is a sweet rice dumpling made from glutinous rice flour with a chewy texture. One popular type is Mitarashi dango, served on a bamboo skewer with a sweet and glossy soy-based sauce.

They are often lightly charred over coals and sold in supermarkets and food stalls year-round!

Easy Tofu Mitarashi Dango (Japanese Rice Dumplings with Sweet Soy Glaze)

Mitarashi Dango is a traditional chewy rice dumpling served on a skewer and drizzled with a delicious sweet soy sauce glaze. It tastes seriously good, it's fun to make and they're suitable for vegetarians too!

Mitarashi dango recipe

16. Homemade Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

Matcha ice cream is made from finely ground green tea leaves grown in shade. The leaves are picked by hand and ground slowly to preserve the fresh flavor.

This rich and creamy homemade ice cream highlights the unique flavor of matcha!

Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

This luxurious and creamy homemade ice cream combined with the subtly bitter and earthy flavor of Japanese green tea makes the perfect dessert or snack any time of year. You can make this recipe by hand or in an ice cream machine!

Homemade matcha ice cream recipe

17. Sata Andagi (Okinawan Donuts)

Sata andagi, or “Okinawan donuts,” are easy and quick to make at home.

These crispy, dense balls of dough are fried at a low temperature to create cracks on the surface, resembling a smile or a flower, making them a symbol of good luck!

Sata Andagi (Okinawan Brown Sugar Donuts)

Sata Andagi is a simple Okinawan donut with an irresistible crunchy exterior and dense cakey inside. They're especially delicious eaten hot straight from the fryer!

Sata andagi recipe

18. Ohagi (Botamochi) Sweet Rice Balls

Ohagi is a traditional Japanese sweet made with sweet glutinous rice and filled with red bean paste or coated with soybean powder or sesame seeds.

It is typically enjoyed in autumn and used as an offering during the Japanese Buddhist holiday called “Ohigan.” According to Japanese beliefs, the red bean paste wrapped around the ohagi helps to ward off evil spirits.

Ohagi (Botamochi) Sweet Rice Balls

Ohagi is a traditional Japanese sweet made with sticky glutinous rice coated with delicious red bean paste or roasted soybean powder. It's typically enjoyed during the Autumn equinox and is perfect with a warm cup of green tea!

Ohagi recipe

19. Matcha Pound Cake

Matcha and Adzuki Pound Cake puts a new spin on a classic recipe with ingredients that are distinctly Japanese.

The green tea powder gives the cake its signature earthy notes, while the adzuki beans add natural sweetness.

Matcha Pound Cake with Adzuki Beans

If you’re looking for the perfect moist yet fluffy cake with a Japanese twist, look no further than this delicious matcha pound cake flavored with earthy matcha powder and naturally sweet adzuki beans. You won't be able to stop at one slice!

Matcha pound cake recipe

20. Candied Sweet Potato (Daigaku Imo)

Daigaku Imo is a Japanese sweet snack made from purple sweet potatoes. They are deep-fried, coated in a sweet, candy glaze, and sprinkled with black sesame seeds.

This snack is enjoyed during Autumn when desserts made from seasonal produce are available!

Japanese Candied Sweet Potato (Daigaku Imo)

Daigaku Imo is an irresistible Japanese snack made from perfectly crispy, yet fluffy on the inside, deep-fried sweet potatoes coated in a sweet candy glaze. It's a must-try recipe for all sweet potato lovers!

Daigaku imo recipe

21. Kashiwa Mochi

Kashiwa Mochi is a sweet rice cake filled with red bean paste. It’s wrapped in a decorative leaf that symbolizes the strength of an oak tree and the hope that children will also grow up to be strong.

The most popular type is plain and sweet, but it also comes in green made with Japanese mugwort. It’s typically eaten on Children’s Day (Kodomo no Hi) which is celebrated on May 5th.

Kashiwa Mochi (柏餅)

Kashiwa Mochi is a traditional Japanese rice cake made with sweet and chewy mochi stuffed with red bean paste and wrapped with a decorative oak leaf.

Kashiwa mochi recipe

22. Matcha and White Chocolate Chip Muffins

Matcha muffins are made with Japanese green tea powder, which has a unique earthy yet freshing taste. It pairs well with the sweet and mild flavor of white chocolate.

This muffin recipe is quick, easy, and foolproof!

Matcha and White Chocolate Muffins

These light and fluffy muffins are flavoured with matcha green tea powder and white chocolate chips creating perfect balance of earthy and sweet. They make a great breakfast treat or snack anytime of day!

Matcha muffins recipe

23. Lawson’s Baschee Copycat Recipe

Baschee is a mini cheesecake inspired by the burnt “basque” cheesecake from Spain. It’s made by Uchi Cafe, a brand of sweets from Lawson (a convenience store chain).

Lawson’s Baschee uses Hokkaido cheddar cheese and has a higher egg yolk ratio for a smooth, rich, and cheesy flavor. It sold 1 million in just three days after its release in 2018. You can try making it yourself and experimenting with different cheeses.

Japanese Basque Style Cheesecake (Lawson’s Baschee Copycat Recipe)

This rich, smooth and creamy caramel basque-style cheesecake is inspired by Lawson's popular "Baschee". It's one of my favorite cheesecake recipes of all time and can be made in full or mini size!

Baschee recipe

24. Fudgy Dark Chocolate and Matcha Brownies

This matcha and dark chocolate brownie recipe is a winner! The brownies are made with matcha instead of cocoa and have a unique and earthy twist. The dark chocolate adds richness, while the texture is chewy on the outside and fudgy in the middle.

The combination of dark chocolate and matcha creates a sophisticated and well-balanced treat. Whether you’re a fan of chocolate or matcha, these brownies offer the best of both worlds!

Fudgy Dark Chocolate and Matcha Brownies

Rich, chewy and fudgy, dark chocolate and matcha brownies are a match made in heaven! The perfect balance of bitter and sweet, they're so good you'll want to make them again and again!

Matcha brownies recipe

25. Matcha Christmas Tree Butter Cookies

Matcha butter cookies are flavored with Japanese matcha green tea powder. They’re perfect for festive occasions and have a rich, luxurious taste and a bright green color. You can pipe the mixture into beautifully defined shapes by adding egg yolks and milk.

Try making Christmas tree cookies, wreaths, or holly leaves. This recipe is perfect for adding a little Japanese flair to your holiday baking!

Matcha Christmas Tree Cookies

These beautiful swirled butter cookies are naturally flavored and colored with matcha green tea powder, the perfect way to add a Japanese twist to your holiday baking. They also make great gifts for matcha-lovers!

Matcha christmas tree cookies

26. Nama Chocolate (Japanese Valentine’s Day Chocolate)

Nama Chocolate, or Nama Choco, is a Japanese type of ganache made with chocolate and cream, cut into squares, and dusted with cocoa powder. It was invented by SilsMaria in Yokohama in 1988 and is popular as a gift or souvenir chocolate.

The name “Nama Chocolate” comes from the use of fresh cream as one of its key ingredients. It has a shorter shelf life than regular chocolate truffles and must be refrigerated. It’s a popular chocolate to make at home and gift to loved ones in Japan on Valentine’s Day.

Nama Chocolate (Japanese Valentine’s Day Chocolate)

These luxuriously creamy Japanese Nama Chocolates will melt in your mouth! They're super easy to make, only require 5 ingredients and make the perfect gift.

Nama chocolate recipe

27. Yaki Imo (Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes)

Let me introduce you to Yaki Imo. Japan’s much-loved baked sweet potato. This simple treat shows off the natural sweetness and creamy texture of perfectly cooked satsumaimo.

Rooted in tradition yet timeless in appeal, Yaki Imo epitomizes Japanese dessert philosophy.

Yaki Imo (Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes)

Yaki Imo is a simple Japanese sweet potato baked until perfectly creamy and irresistibly sweet. This iconic autumn treat can be enjoyed on its own or incorporated into other desserts!

Yaki imo recipe