Japan

Got a sweet tooth? Then there is plenty for you to enjoy in Japan. The country is known for many things, including its unique and often brightly-colored desserts and sweets that you can enjoy all year round. The Kansai region has its specialties and twists on popular classics, especially in Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. You can find delicacies made from sugar, rice, sweet plant sap, and more. Here is a selection of must-tries for the dessert connoisseur. Yatsuhashi This is a popular Kyoto regional specialty (meibutsu) best known as a wagashi – Japanese confectionery typically served with tea. It is also commonly sold as a boxed gift in sweet stores. The dessert has been around since the 17th century and is named after Japanese harp player Kengyo Yatsuhashi – which explains why the pieces are usually cut into harp-like shapes. Yatsuhashi has an appearance not unlike gyoza or Italian ravioli. They have an outer casing made from mochi rice flour, sugar, cinnamon, and an inner sweet paste filling in different flavors. You can eat them uncooked as a sweet snack or enjoy them baked or steamed with a cup of tea at the end of a meal. Dango Dango is…