Wasanbon Wagashi Workshop: Japanese Pressed-Sugar Confectionery

This workshop is taught by Yuki Sakura, wagashi artisan. This session is devoted to wasanbon, a traditional Japanese sugar refined by hand in Shikoku, known for its delicate sweetness and fine, smooth texture. You will press the sugar into carved wooden molds and take home the sweets you shape yourself. This is a pressed-sugar class, not our usual nerikiri session. All materials included. No experience needed. Registration closes 72 hours before the session. Cancellations made within 72 hours of the session are nonrefundable.
About this Event

This workshop is taught by Yuki Sakura, wagashi artisan.

Wagashi, or Japanese confections, have a rich history dating back hundreds of years. Shaped to echo the turning of the seasons, they are made to be appreciated with the eyes as much as the palate.

This session is devoted to wasanbon — a traditional Japanese sugar refined by hand in Shikoku, known for its delicate sweetness and fine, smooth texture. It carries a light, elegant flavor that reflects the quiet beauty of Japanese culinary culture. Please note that this is a pressed-sugar class, not our usual nerikiri session.

This workshop offers more than the chance to taste wasanbon — it invites you to enjoy shaping it with your own hands. Pressing the sugar into a carved wooden mold, packing it firmly, and gently releasing it are simple movements, yet each one becomes a moment of artistic expression. As you work, you will discover the character of wasanbon and the subtle grace found in Japanese confectionery traditions.

At the end of the class, you’ll take home the wasanbon sweets you crafted with care. I hope you’ll share them with your family and friends, recalling the moments from the workshop as you admire and enjoy the confections shaped by your own hands.

What Makes Us Different?

Hands-on experience: All the ingredients and materials are prepared, and containers for taking your sweets home are provided. There is no baking and no cooking — you only need to walk into the classroom.

Personal attention: We believe in providing personalized attention to each of our students, with our instructor offering individualized guidance and support.

Community atmosphere: Our classes offer a warm and welcoming environment where you can connect with other sweet-making enthusiasts.

No experience needed. Beginners are welcome.

Please note: Registration closes 48 hours before the session. Cancellations made within 72 hours of the session are nonrefundable.

About the Instructor
Yuki Sakura

Yuki Sakura originally pursued a career as a pâtissier, dedicating herself to creating Western-style desserts. However, as she reflected more deeply on her identity as a Japanese person, a new desire began to grow within her—a desire to share Japanese culture with the world through her own hands. That realization led her to the path of Wagashi (和菓子).

Today, Yuki creates Wagashi for tea ceremonies and matcha specialty shops. Each piece is crafted entirely by hand, infused with the changing seasons and the feelings of the maker. Wagashi are not simply sweets; they are expressions of nature, emotion, and tradition. They are meant to be appreciated with the eyes, felt with the heart, and remembered long after the last bite. Delivering this “multi-layered experience” is the foundation of her Wagashi-making.

Looking ahead, she hopes to share the joy and depth of Wagashi with people across countries and generations. Her goal is to bring the beauty and warmth of this traditional Japanese art form to a wider audience around the world.