11 Delightful Japanese Desserts To Try

Our recent trip to Japan was a whirlwind of incredible flavours — and the desserts were truly unforgettable. From the iconic chew of mochi to lesser-known sweet gems tucked away in local markets, we’ve rounded up our favourite Japanese treats that delighted us along the way.

In this guide, we’re sharing our favourite finds — from traditional wagashi (和菓子) to modern treats — so you can discover the best Japanese desserts to try, whether you're travelling or shopping at home.

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What Makes Japanese Desserts Unique?

Japanese desserts stand out for their delicate balance of flavour, texture, and seasonality.

Many classics rely on rice flour, sweet azuki beans, and subtle natural sweeteners rather than heavy sugar, resulting in a light finish that pairs perfectly with tea. 

Presentation also matters: from the fish-shaped taiyaki to the vibrant green of matcha cakes, each treat is crafted to delight both the eyes and palate.

Understanding these fundamentals will help you appreciate the desserts below—and maybe inspire you to recreate them with ingredients from our online Japanese supermarket.

Our favourite Japanese Desserts

Sweet treats are not hard to come by in Japan. You'll find a wide variety of delicious desserts in convenience stores, cafes, and bakeries. Not to mention the interesting things you can find at food stalls in the market.

But here are our favourites among them all, including some of the most famous Japanese desserts:

Mochi

Everyone's favourite Japanese dessert! Mochi is, without a doubt, the most popular Japanese dessert to have made it to this side of the world. And for good reason!

Made from glutinous rice (mochigome) pounded until smooth, mochi has a chewy texture and a gentle sweetness that pairs beautifully with red-bean paste, ice-cream fillings, or even fresh fruit. Traditionally enjoyed at the Japanese New Year for good luck, mochi is now an everyday indulgence around the globe. Ready to taste authentic varieties? Browse our full mochi range here.

Taiyaki

Taiyaki is the Japanese fish-shaped cake you might have seen in Japanese anime and films. It's a mouth-watering fried bread with a sweet filling that's often sold at street markets. From the smell alone, you'll be itching to buy one, and you won't regret it.

The filling is traditionally a sweet red bean (which we personally love!), but you can get other varieties too, like the first one we ever tried in Kyoto, which comprised of: sugary strawberry, velvety cream and decadent chocolate sauce.

Kakigori

In the hot and humid Japanese summer, Kakigori is a must and a lifesaver. Kakigori is a Japanese shaved ice dessert similar to the more common bingsu. The main difference between the two is that while bingsu has a milk base, kakigori has a refreshing ice base.

Much like other shaved ice desserts, kakigori comes with an abundance of potential toppings. Traditionally, it is sweetened with a syrup or condensed milk and is topped with fruit. You can find it in many flavours, such as strawberry, coconut, grape, melon, and matcha!

One to try if you visit during the hottest months!

Manju

Manju resembles mochi but is different in one key way: it's made by kneading flour into a dough and steaming it. The manju itself will differ depending on what flour is used and what filling it has.

Like mochi, it's usually filled with a red bean paste, but can come in all sorts of varieties. Other popular flavours include chestnut, yuzu, and matcha. So, there's something for everyone.

Zenzai

A traditional sweet soup made with red beans and mochi, Zenzai is the perfect dessert for the colder seasons as it's usually served hot! However, you can sometimes find it cold in the summer months too. It also varies in sweetness, depending on where you buy it.

Zenzai might not look the most appetising, but we wholeheartedly recommend you try it if you get the opportunity. It's a lot tastier than it looks.

Japanese Jellies

Jellies are so popular throughout Japan for both the old and the young. For us, jelly dessert was always a childhood favourite growing up.

There are many varieties. Kanten is a popular traditional Japanese jelly that's often enjoyed in the summer months. Kyoho Jelly comes in the form of little grape balls and is eaten as much for the experience as the taste. Konjac fruit jelly is practically a staple in children's lunchboxes. And, of course, mixed fruit jellies can be found in any convenience store in Japan and come with many types of fruit.

Black Sesame Pudding (Kuro Goma Purin)

You can find a variety of black sesame desserts in Japan, from cookies to cakes and, of course, pudding. The latter is the most traditional of them and is definitely worth a try.

Admittedly, it's quite an acquired taste. A little earthy and nutty with a distinct sesame profile that you wouldn't expect in a dessert. But it works!

Japanese Cheesecake

Cheesecake is delicious in all its forms, but let's be honest - it's often quite dense. Japanese cheesecake avoids this issue by presenting a delicious, crustless, light and fluffy cake.

You can find Japanese cheesecake in most cafes in Japan, and we definitely recommend trying it. It's a little less sweet than the cheesecakes you'll find over here, but definitely great with a cup of tea or coffee.

Matcha-based Desserts

We couldn't finish this list without introducing you to the many delicious matcha desserts out there. Matcha is one of the greatest Japanese ingredients, and Japan is one of the best places in the world to enjoy matcha-infused foods. We definitely lucked out while we were there.

If you're interested in learning how to use matcha, you may enjoy this blog post.

Matcha Ice-cream

In the summer, this is a game-changer. But, matcha ice cream is so good in Japan that you might even consider it all year round. And, if you get the chance, try some at a tea farm. You'll get the best experience there.

Matcha Cake

From cheesecakes to sponge cakes, matcha-infused cakes aren't difficult to find in Japan. And each one we've tried has been delicious. The vibrant green certainly helps with the appeal too.

Matcha Mousse

You can find various forms of matcha mousse in Japan - some that are more solid and others that hold their shape a little less. No matter which you go for, the matcha won't disappoint. Creamy and sweet with just a hint of that earthy tone.

Quick Dessert Pairings & Serving Tips

• Serve warm taiyaki with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a streets-of-Tokyo experience at home.
• Pair light Japanese cheesecake with a cup of matcha tea to balance sweetness with umami.
• Chill mochi for 10 minutes before eating—this firms the exterior while keeping the centre soft.
• Enjoy black sesame pudding alongside a drizzle of condensed milk for extra creaminess.

Final Word

There are so many sweet treats in Japan to try. We absolutely encourage you to explore the endless range you'll find in markets and cafes. But we hope we've been able to give you a good place to start.

The next time you find yourself in Japan, don't only try sushi, but give some of these best Japanese desserts a try! Or if you're not there anytime soon, why not try cooking your favourite Japanese dessert recipes at home? But until then, find your sweet tooth with our Japanese snacks.

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