🍡Savoring the Seasons Through Wagashi: Japanese Sweets for the Rainy Season

🟣Introduction: Seasonal Beauty in Every Bite

As June arrives in Japan, hydrangeas bloom and the rainy season begins.
Even in the midst of damp days, Japanese culture finds joy in the subtleties of the season—and one of the most beautiful expressions of this is wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets.

Wagashi is more than just a dessert—it's a reflection of nature, time, and emotion, crafted to mirror the season’s essence.

🌸June’s Wagashi: The Beauty Within Rain

① Hydrangea Nerikiri

Delicately shaped into hydrangea blossoms, these nerikiri confections feature soft hues of purple, blue, and pink.
Their moist texture and gentle sweetness make them a quiet luxury for rainy afternoons.

② Kuzu Manju (Kudzu Dumpling)

These translucent sweets, filled with red bean paste and wrapped in kuzu starch dough, offer a sense of cool refreshment.
Often served chilled, they are perfect for humid summer days.

③ Minazuki (Water Month Sweet)

Made with triangle-shaped uirō (rice cake) topped with azuki beans, minazuki is traditionally eaten on June 30 during Nagoshi no Harae, a ritual to purify oneself for the second half of the year.
Azuki beans are believed to ward off evil, adding a spiritual touch to this seasonal treat.

🗓Wagashi and the 24 Solar Terms

Many wagashi are inspired by Japan’s 24 solar terms (二十四節気, nijūshi sekki)—a traditional calendar marking seasonal shifts.

In early June, around the time of Bōshu (芒種), farmers begin planting rice.
Wagashi created during this period often feature motifs of early summer fields, fresh plants, or themes tied to nature’s rhythms.

The names, shapes, and colors of wagashi aren’t chosen at random—they represent a deep harmony with the environment, expressing the Japanese aesthetic of living in tune with nature.

☔Conclusion: Let the Season Sweeten Your Soul

The rainy season in Japan might seem gloomy to some, but through the soft elegance of wagashi, it becomes something to appreciate.

Why not enjoy the moment by savoring sweets that celebrate this time of year?
A small, artful wagashi can lift your spirit—and help you find beauty in the rain.