Do you like cakes? In Japan, January 6th became Cake Day, starting in 1879 when Ueno’s Fugetsudo was the first to advertise cakes in the Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun (Japanese newspaper).
Fugetsudo’s history began in 1747 when the first owner, Kiueimon Osumi, arrived in Edo. Later on, Fugetsudo promoted cakes with messages like, “We employed foreign patissiers to create Western-style cakes, and when showcased at exhibitions, they had a good reputation. Please give them a try.” This successful promotion was crucial in introducing the delicious sweet called “cake” across Japan.
During that time, traditional Japanese sweets known as “Wagashi” dominated, and Western-style sweets were very rare in Japan. Despite facing significant historical events, including the Meiji Restoration, the Kanto earthquake, and two world wars, Fugetsudo has created a lasting legacy of delivering the joy of encountering delicious sweets, and a new culture.
Inspired by the amazing story of Fugetsudo, this blog will introduce Japanese cakes and their culture.
Shortcake Day. Credit: Chisato (created on Canva)
Japanese Cake Celebration Day
In Japan, there’s not just Cake Day, but various other days to celebrate cakes. For example, every 22nd of the month is Shortcake Day. If you look at the calendar, you’ll notice that the 22nd is always under the 15th. Do you know what strawberries are called in Japanese? They are read as “15 (Ichigo).” Thus, the Shortcake with strawberries on top has become a special day on the 22nd under the 15th. Interesting, right?
The next one is Swiss Roll Day (Roll Cake in Japanese). This day is celebrated on June 6th and September 9th because the swirl pattern on roll cakes is similar to the numbers 6 and 9. On the 6th of every month, various sweet shops offer sales and promotions.
Furthermore, every 19th is Cream Puff Day (Shu-cream). Interestingly, we Japanese remember numbers by relating them to similar-sounding words. In this context, Shu-Cream sounded like the number 1 and 9. So supermarkets and convenience stores started to promote it in Japan.
There might be more to come in the future! These days, several shops often have deals, so you should give it a try when you are in Japan!!
Birthday Cake. Credit: Chisato
Top 5 Japanese Wa-Cakes
You might have heard about Washoku, which is a Japanese traditional cuisine, recognized by UNESCO for its seasonal ingredients and unique culinary techniques.
Here, I will introduce the top 5 cakes unique to Japan, not like Wagashi but in combination with Western-style sweets.
Seigaiha cake from Cafe Comme Ca. Credit: ichigo_n25 on Instagram
1. Cakes Express Japanese Traditional Beauty
The cake in the above photo is designed to represent the traditional Japanese pattern of “Seigaiha,” a motif that symbolizes the blessings of the expansive sea. Also, Seigaiha, depicting endless waves, carries the wish for eternal happiness and a prayer for people’s peaceful lives. It includes the elegant sweetness and rich aroma of pears from Yamagata Prefecture, and black cocoa cream to express the beautiful waves, creating the delicious Black Mont Blanc. At Cafe Comme Ca, the patissiers personally visit local farmers, embracing the ingredients and history of the region. Cafe Comme Ca expresses the farmer’s passion and the beauty of traditional Japanese art, history, and culture through artistic cakes. Their cakes incorporate various seasonal Japanese fruits, making them not only delicious but also visually appealing. They are highly recommended as gifts for your loved ones.
Website: http://www.cafe-commeca.co.jp/about/
Main store: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FrGs5Ezoy3iYHmot7
Strawberry Shortcake. Credit: ヒトソラ
2. The Japanese Origins of Shortcake
Shortcakes actually originated in Japan. Fujii Rinemon, founder of Fujiya, encountered a “shortcake” in the U.S. in 1912, featuring a crispy biscuit dough similar to scones, layered with whipped cream and strawberries. He adapted it to suit Japanese taste and released it in 1922, leading to the widespread popularity of the fluffy shortcake we know today. As I mentioned before, the 22nd of every month is Shortcake Day. So be sure to try an authentic shortcake in Japan!
Website: https://www.fujiya-peko.co.jp/
Main store: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SorLKzHQqo44HLS99
Matcha and Hojicha Half & Half Cheesecake “Yumefutaba” from Ito Kyuemon Credit: 抹茶きなこ on Instagram
3. Rich Uji Matcha Cheesecake
Ito Kyuemon is a tea shop in Uji, Kyoto that values the new essence of tea while radiating the unique beauty, rich aroma, and flavor characteristic of Uji tea, established in 1832. Ito Kyuemon has a contract with authentic farmers in Uji and remains committed to producing high-quality tea. Even in today’s era where machine picking is common, they exclusively use “hand-picked first tea” from experienced artisans in the Shirakawa district of Uji and Uji Tawara town. They are respecting traditions passed down since the Edo period. Thus, their carefully made Uji matcha cheesecake is a delightful treat for matcha lovers for sure. The bittersweet cocoa-flavored tart crust complements the rich cream cheese and the astringency of matcha, creating a fresh and harmonious taste experience. This cake expresses the charm of Uji’s town. Unfortunately, there are some sweets that you cannot purchase in-store, so be sure to check out their official online shop.
Website: https://www.itohkyuemon.co.jp/corporate/shop/
Main store: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SNwXwvDgnPGVNavaA
Canned Cakes. Credit: Yokohama High Collar
4. Hikara Sweets with a 2-Year Shelf Life
Actually, Yokohama has two faces such as traditional Japanese culture and is also a gateway to Western culture. “Haikara,” the shop’s name refers to a term used during the port’s opening period to describe people who liked Western-style dress and lifestyle. The cheesecake and gateau chocolat, designed with “wrapping Western cake culture in traditional Japanese origami,” have a two-year shelf life without preservatives. For Japan, where there have been many natural disasters throughout its history, canned cakes that are not only long-lasting but also delicious are wonderful items that make us appreciate the significance of food. I understand why these sweets earned recognition as “delicious disaster-prevention food!”You can transport them on the airplane at normal temperature, so It is definitely an excellent choice for delightful souvenirs!
Website: https://y-highcollar.com/Store: Available at select hotels in Yokohama and various gift shops like Loft, as well as on online stores “BASE” and “Creema” for purchase.
Baskin Robbins’s Pikachu Icecream Cake. Credit: mariko on Instagram
5. Cute Characters in Ice Cream Cakes
Baskin Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, originally founded in America in 1945. In Japan, Baskin Robbins often collaborates with famous Japanese brands, including Pokémon, Super Mario, and Sanrio Puroland. Therefore, you can savor localized ice cream cakes featuring cute characters. If you love these characters, it’s a must-try place to buy your favorite cake!
Website: https://www.31ice.co.jp/contents/product/cake/index.html
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nzoE68ztnHGMmRmn7
Anpanman Cake. Credit: Chisato
Are you ready for Cake Day? Cake Day in Japan is not just a celebration of a delicious treat. It’s a journey through time and culture. As you savor each delightful bite, you taste the fusion of tradition and innovation. From the original Japanese shortcake to Western-inspired dishes, there is no limit to the great world of cake in Japan. So, the next time you’re in Japan, indulge in some cakes to experience the rich history and culture that have shaped these delightful sweets! Enjoy each Cake celebration!
If you’re a foodie, Arigato Travel offers tours with interesting local stories behind the places, so make sure to check out our plans as well!
Featured image: 仲居 宏之
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