Japanese traditional sweets (和菓子, Wagashi) is also one of the biggest features of Kanazawa. The sweets making in Kanazawa had been developped with tea ceremony school in Edo period under the governance by Maeda Family which had deep knowledge and patronage to the Tea ceremony culture.
Some traditional sweets producers in Kanazawa continuously run their business over hundreds years since the period. We are able to find their great works at sweets boutiques in the city. To know more about the history and culture of sweets making in Kanazawa, Kashi Bunka Kaikan (菓子文化会館, Confectionery Museum) is open to tourists. It is located between two major tourist spots, Omicho Ichiba and Higashi Chaya. So it will be a good stroll to visit these three spots in a day by taking bus or walk when the weather is fine.
The Confectionery Museum shows old financial records in town to tell how sweets producers were appreciated in Edo period. Sweets making tools in these days were also found. It also introduces different types of Japanese traditional sweets which are served at sesonal events or at rites of life passage.
Some items can be touched directly. They are wooden molds used to make Rakugan (落雁, sugar candy beautifully embossed). I guess they are NOT former tools but still in use at some traditional houses.
Goshiki Nama Kashi (五色生菓子, Five colors of unbaked cakes)
Traditional cakes to be made for wedding celebletion. The five colors represent “bounty in the universe” (天地の恵み, tenchi no megumi);
日 (Sun) –red and white cake, reflecting sun rising scene
月 (Moon) – round shape white cake
海 (Ocean) – ellipse shape of waves in white
山 (mountains) – round cake, yellow rice grains dusted
村里 (people’s village) – black round shape made of steamed Yokan (beans paste cake)
At the last part of the exibihtion, amaging works by modern masters are displayed. Can you imagine the flower decorations are made with “sugar”!
I will also introduce another interesting spot for sweets lovers in following posts.
Related link – Kanazaa Tourist Information Guide
http://www.kanazawa-tourism.com/eng/guide/guide1_3.php?no=6
Kashi Bunka Kaikan (菓子文化会館, Confectionery Museum)
Address: 2-12-1 Owara-cho, Kanazawa-city, Ishikawa Prefecture
*The place is in Kanazawa, Hokuriku region. (not in Tokyo) For general information about Kanazawa and how to get there, please visit below link.
大きな地図で見る
Accommodations close to the sites mentioned on this post
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