Wagashi, the world of traditional Japanese confections, has a great variety of individual treats, each with their devoted fans. Broadly generalizing, it may be said that they feature anko(red bean paste) as often as not, and invariably go well with green tea. Monaka sandwiches anko between two crispy rice crackers, while Taiyaki is a similarly crispy batter made into a distinctive fish shape, again with anko inside. These are perhaps two of the most famous Wagashi. Monaka has inspired a variety of monaka-style ice cream sandwiches you can find in any convenience store, and Taiyaki is unforgettable as the snack that looks like a fish. A similar snack with even longer roots is more of a no-nonsense round cake, fluffier than Taiyaki, chewier and thicker. Its delicious and filling, but perhaps the most noteworthy thing about it is what it is or isn't named. The pictured round delicious treat has not been able to settle on a single name across the country. In Kanto, where most visitors may gravitate, it is known as Imagawayaki. Outside the capital region, you may be more likely to hear Obanyaki, a name evidently spreading out from Shikoku. In Osaka and Kyushu, it may be called Kaiten-yaki, Taiko-yaki, or Taiko-manju. In Hyogo the -yaki convention is entirely discarded, and it is widely known as Gozasoro, the term almost universally used in Himeji. Incredibly, these don't count for half the known names for this snack. This makes for a fun game when you see at at festival stalls or in market streets travelling across Japan. What name will it have when you find it?

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho local product and souvenir: Babba Club’s karinto Karinto made by the Kawanochi district processing group Babba Club These additive-free snacks focus on safety and peace of mind. They also make Adam cookies and longevity senbei. Handmade pickles are also popular.

🍘 Ame-sen Back on Sale 🍘 Kyo-wa Seika’s "ame-sen" is back on sale! 😆✨ These treats are senbei rice crackers filled with soft candy inside. 🍘 They’re a rare summer delicacy that you can’t enjoy during the hot months, so be sure to give them a try! 💁‍♀️

Speaking of festival days, milk rice crackers.

Visited Tokyo Skytree. Haven’t been going outside at all lately so we needed a change of pace. Found some really nice Edo Kiriko, at some beef tongue, and tried senbei ice cream for the first time