20 Traditional Japanese Sweets & Desserts Tourists Must Try

When people think of Japan, they often picture sushi, bullet trains, and tech gadgets, but they rarely mention the unique traditional Japanese sweets.

These desserts in Japan are not just delicious but a aesthetic too!

We had everything planned for our 3-week Japan trip – Transport, sightseeing, the usual stuff.

But no one told me about the awesome authentic desserts in Japan!

There aren’t many vegetarian options in Japan, but there are plenty of delicious desserts!

As a budget traveller in Japan, finding affordable desserts was a bit of a challenge. Wagashi, Mochi, and the famous Jiggly Cake were must-tries, but they didn’t always fit a budget-friendly plan.

Then, I found Purin and Ichigo Sando at Lawson and Ekurea at 7/11, : delicious and cheap!

Kyoto street food also offered unique finds like Kyo Baum and Waguri Mont Blanc.

Now, I can’t wait to share the best traditional Japanese sweets and desserts you must try in Japan. Ready to add these to your travel list?

Must-try Traditional Japanese sweets for travellers

Taiyaki – Fish Shaped Waffles

Taiyaki, the fish-shaped waffle, is a fun Japanese treat filled with red bean paste, custard, or chocolate.

I loved watching them cook fresh at street stalls – hot off the grill, they’re crispy outside, fluffy inside, with just the right amount of sweetness and buttery taste.

The fish shape represents a red sea bream, a good luck symbol in Japan, and adds a cute touch. Imagine a warm waffle with a delicious filling – perfect for munching on the go

Although, don’t eat on the go – It is considered bad manners to walk while eating in Japan.

Taiyaki is surely one of the most affordable Japanese sweets to try as they are sold in small shops and street side.

Higashi

Ever seen a sweet and thought, “This is too cute to eat?” That’s Higashi for you!

As part of traditional Japanese sweets known as Wagashi, Higashi is a must-try on a heritage walk or food tour in Tokyo.

Often served with Matcha tea, I found them perfect for snacking during long train rides. Because they aren’t too sweet, and have distinct sugary taste.

The Nihonbashi area in Tokyo has some fantastic shops keeping this centuries-old tradition alive, with Higashi in shapes like flowers and leaves – These shapes change with season

I visited Japan in December, and the Higashi I tried were shaped like autumn leaves – adorable!

Since they’re dry and have a long shelf life, they make a perfect souvenir. My friends loved them!

Daifuku Mochi

Daifuku is a squishy, round Japanese sweet is one of the many Japanese mochi varieties.

It is made from chewy mochi filled with sweet red bean paste and is one of the most popular sweets in Tokyo.

They come in various colours like white, pink, or green, and you might even find different fillings like strawberry or ice cream.

My favourite is definitely the strawberry-filled Daifuku – it’s sweet, sour, chewy, and a bit nutty!

Best eaten fresh, Daifuku isn’t great as a souvenir but is perfect for a quick treat.

Mitarashi Dango

Mitarashi Dango is one of the best sweets in Japan, made of chewy rice dumplings on a stick, grilled and then covered in a sweet and salty soy sauce glaze.

The dumplings are made from rice flour, so they’re soft and sticky, soaking up all that tasty sauce.

I had them at Matsubara Dori in Kyoto, and they were like little caramelised bites with a hint of soy sauce – so good!

A unique mix of sweet, salty, and savoury, similar to a sweet soy caramel sauce

You’ll find these at street stalls and convenience stores everywhere in Japan, perfect for a quick munch while you’re out and about, especially catching that last train.

Momiji manju

If you’re looking for a cute sweet treats to eat in Japan, Momiji Manju is your bet. It is a leaf-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste.

It is sweet, but spongy with earthy flavour of red beans

Originally from Hiroshima, they’re the perfect thing to eat in cold winter. The leaf shape represents local maple trees – beautiful and delicious!

When I tried these in Miyajima ( the floating tori place and deers on the beach), they were soft, just sweet enough, and had this warm, comforting vibe.

It’s like tasting Japanese autumn in every bite, and they’re not too sugary, so you can have more than one!

Dorayaki

Dorayaki is this lovely Japanese snack made of two fluffy pancakes with a sweet red bean paste filling.

The pancakes are light and honey-flavoured and one of the most famous sweet snacks from Japan.

When I saw it for the first time in 7/11, I thought it is just a pancake. But when I ate it I could feel the difference between usuaal pancake and Dorayaki.

Dorayaki comes in pair. Two soft, fluffy pancakes with a hint of honey, sandwiched around sweet, nutty red bean paste.

Surely it tastes great, but it is more famous because it’s Doraemon’s favourite food.

Biting into one was like biting into a sweet, warm cloud.

You can find Dorayaki at any convenience store, so it’s easy to satisfy that craving anytime.

Strawberry-based Crepes!

Japanese crepes are a game changer! Unlike French ones, they’re packed with all kinds of toppings and wrapped up, perfect for eating while exploring.

Shibuya and Harajuku are the spots to try them.

I had five different kinds, but my favourite was the one with whipped cream and fresh strawberries in Harajuku

They are so fresh and sweet! It felt like holding a bit of happiness in my hand.

Totoro Cream Puffs

Totoro cream puffs are probably the most aesthetic dessert you can ever have in Japan.

These adorable pastries are shaped like the beloved character Totoro from Studio Ghibli’s film, My Neighbour Totoro.

It is a light fluffy pastry that’s filled with smooth, creamy goodness

The custard is sweet but not too sugary, and if you go for a flavour like chocolate or a seasonal one like peach, it’s a total flavour bomb. I could taste vanilla in mine.

They’ve got this perfect blend of rich filling and delicate pastry – just melts in your mouth!

Sweet Potato Dessert

“Sweet Potato Dessert” is a traditional treat often found in Japanese homes rather than cafes. If you’re staying in a homestay or ryokan, you might just get lucky and try it!

Made with baked sweet potatoes, vanilla extract, cream, and sugar and an egg wash, it has a cosy, homemade vibe. It felt like I was eating roasted potato but creamier and colder.

I tried it a a cafe on the top most floor of Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Cente.

They topped it with whipped cream, a cherry, and a scoop of sweet potato ice cream. It was surprisingly refreshing, but a bit pricey for such a small quantity!

Jiggly Cheesecake

Japan’s jiggly cheesecake, one of the famous desserts in Japan, became a viral sensation on social media, and I totally get why!

You can find it everywhere, even at 7-Eleven, but trust me, nothing beats the original from Osaka’s Uncle Rikuro.

Besides a fun day at Universal Studios Japan, tasting Uncle Rikuro’s fluffy, bouncy cheesecake was a top reason we visited Osaka for 2 days.

The cheesecake is super light, with just the right mix of cheese and egg, plus a sneaky layer of raisins at the bottom.

Watching them bake it fresh, then seeing the staff stamp the cake while it jiggles, was so fun!

The wait was about 45 minutes at Rikuro’s, but honestly, it was worth every second for a slice straight from the oven.

Kyo baum

Kyoto’s very own dessert, Kyo Baum, is a matcha-infused treat made with soy milk. It’s a Kyoto twist on the classic German Baumkuchen cake.

Think of it like a layered tree ring cake, but with unique matcha and hojicha (roasted green tea) flavours.

It has a soft, moist texture and a mild matcha taste, but it’s pretty sweet.

I prefer desserts with less sweetness, so Kyo Baum was a bit too sweet for me. However, my spouse, Ashrith, who doesn’t mind a sugary treat, says it’s the best dessert in Japan!

You can find it at Kyoto JR Station while you wait for buses and trains or in gift shops – a great souvenir to bring home – If only you use it within a week

Waguri Montblanc

Waguri Mont Blanc is a delicious Kyoto-style dessert made with Japanese chestnuts.

It’s like uncovering layers of treasure! I tried it in Kyoto, and every layer felt like a new surprise. It’s no wonder this dessert is a favourite in Japan – a must-try if you’re in Kyoto!

The first thing you see is a heap of creamy chestnut strips that look like vermicelli.

Cutting into it, you find fluffy sponge cake and rich chestnut cream.

With each bite, the cream melts in your mouth, balanced by a delightful crunch from the meringue and chestnuts on top.

I am sure it is one the top on the list of unique Japanese desserts every traveller must try.

Gyunyu Pan (Milk Bread)

The magical winterland of Nagano has its signature dessert – Gyunyu Pan, which means milk bread.

Rich cream is sandwiched between two pieces of fluffy bread and cut into rectangular loaves.

The bread is made with milk, which is how Gyunyu Pan (or “milk bread”) gets its name.

Gyunyu Pan is the softest bread that melts in your mouth immediately. I honestly never thought would fall in love with bread.

But when we bought it accidentally at Nagano JR station, took a first bite and the bread melted.

I didn’t need any jam or filling with it. Gyunyu Pan itself is so good.

You can enjoy one or two for breakfast or carry it along when travelling by train. But, without refrigeration, it won’t stay fresh for long.

Kenmaru Bakery in Nagano is believed to be where it was invented, but now every bakery seems to be selling it.

We tried several at Ringonoki in Nagano train station – they were cheap and delicious!

Melon Pan

Melon pan, or melon bread, which tastes delicious, but doesn’t taste like melons at all – surprise!

It’s a sweet bun with a fluffy inside and a crispy crust that’s just shaped like a melon.

I first tried it in Nagano, thinking it would taste fruity, but it turned out to be a unique treat with contrasting textures.

Melon pan comes in fun flavours like chocolate chip and custard. The custard one is my go-to – seriously delicious and so easy to carry around!

Tokyo Banana

Tokyo Banana is a beloved souvenir treat from Tokyo, and I can see why! It’s a soft, fluffy sponge cake filled with creamy banana custard making it an Iconic desserts from Japan

The texture is light and moist, with just the right banana flavour – not too strong, just fruity and mildly sweet.

This was the last sweet treat I had in Japan – I actually ate it at Haneda Airport.

While wandering through the gift shops, I spotted a box that said “Tokyo Banana.” They looked too cute to resist, so I had to buy it.

And now whenever someone I know goes to Japan, I ask them to get a pack of Tokyo banana for us. I loved it so much!

They come individually wrapped, making them easy to share or save for later.

But heads up, they only stay fresh for about a week, so don’t wait too long to dig in!

Matcha Cookies and cake

You’ll see matcha-flavoured goodies everywhere in Japan – from Starbucks to 7-Eleven.

But it’s not just any flavour; it’s a huge part of Japanese culture!

The Japanese make Matcha lattes, including iced ones, which honestly aren’t that great.

But Matcha cookies, Matcha Basque cheesecake, and pancakes are amazing!

And these are just a few of the hundreds of desserts they create with Matcha.

My favourite is a matcha cake with layers of soft cream – delicious and didn’t even break the bank.

Trust me, whether it’s a cookie or a cake, matcha makes desserts better!

Purin (Japanese Custard Pudding)

Purin is Japan’s version of custard pudding, and it’s a must-try!

I grabbed one at a Lawson and it was the perfect blend of creamy and sweet, with a little caramel bitterness on top.

Plus it feels kind of jelly-ish, it jiggles. It is creamy, not eggy and that vanilla flavour made me have it regularly at Lawson.

The texture is silky smooth, and it feels like it just melts in your mouth. The best part? It’s super affordable, so you can try it wherever you go in Japan.

Ichigo Sando

Ichigo means strawberry, and sando is the Japanglish way of saying sandwich, so Ichigo sando literally means “strawberry sandwich.”

It might sound strange, but this treat breaks that stereotype! And it is my husband’s favourite for how creamy and fruity it is.

Made with fluffy white bread, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream, it’s a perfect balance of juicy and sweet.

Why do I love Ichigo sando? – The Japanese make the softest bread, whipped cream that isn’t too sweet, and they grow some of the best strawberries in the world!

Plus the way they fill the fruit and cream with the shape of strawberries intact can shock you!

I used to wonder how my niece could enjoy fruit sandwiches, but after trying Ichigo sando in Nagano, I realised I’d been missing out on this delicious treat!

And I also found sando with Kiwi and straberry both. But my favourite is pure Japanese style strawberry sandwich

Ekurea -Custard Cream & Chocolate Éclair!

There are loads of chocolate treats in Japan’s 7-Eleven stores, but nothing tops the Custard Cream & Chocolate Éclair!

It looks like a big coffee bean, and you might think it’s hard at first, but give it a little press, and it cracks open, letting the custard ooze out.

I love it because it is creamy and chocolatey without being overly sweet.

It’s got this amazing eggy flavour, with a super thin, crunchy chocolate shell.

A total win for any dessert lover!

Ice Cream

Japan’s ice creams can get pretty wild! Ever tried wasabi ice cream for a spicy kick or soy sauce for a sweet and savoury mix?

Feeling brave? There’s squid ink ice cream (yep, it’s black and salty), or even shrimp and eel flavours for seafood fans.

And for nature lovers, cactus or charcoal ice cream is a thing!

Personally, I’m not into meat or sauce in my ice cream. I tried some crazy ones at 7-Eleven but stuck with classics like matcha and strawberry.

Japanese matcha is unbeatable, and their strawberries are top-notch!

They also do amazing fruit popsicles with real fruit and Yukimi Daifuku – ice cream wrapped in chewy mochi.

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