Traditional Japanese sweets or ‘wagashi’ are experiencing a boom overseas as interest in Japanese culture grows.

Japanese desserts are usually paired with green tea and characterized by flavours such as matcha and red bean paste, making them less sweet than European and American treats.

For those in Tokyo who want to sample some high quality Japanese desserts, Häagen-Dazs is opening a limited time only cafe with the theme of harmony, pairing traditional style sweets with various ice cream flavours.

Eat Wagashi Japanese Sweets in Tokyo

Although it seems unexpected that Häagen-Dazs are the ones to open this café, the global ice cream brand is very popular in Japan, releasing Japan specific flavours such as matcha and kinoko bean powder. They are also very willing to indulge Japan’s insatiable need for seasonal and limited time only products.

The new stylish café will be in the swanky Ginza district of Tokyo. Located on the sixth floor of the Tokyu Plaza, you can enjoy a cityscape view from the windows while you indulge in your dessert. The cafe also serves a range of green teas to accompany the food in classic wagashi style.

Some of the favourite sweets which have been recreated to be served with Häagen-Dazs ice cream scoops are dorayaki which is red bean pancakes, and zenzai, a red bean soup with round mochi swimming in it.

There’s eight different desserts in total which use various flavours of ice cream. Each delicious looking sweet has a handy recommendation for the tea that best complements it.

Häagen-Dazs Sabo Cafe Information

The cafe will be open from 18th April to 6th May 2018.

Opening hours: 11:00 - 23:00 (Closes at 21:00 on Sundays and public holidays, last order is one hour before closing)

Address: Tokyo, Chuo-ku, Ginza 5-2-1 Tokyu Plaza 6F (inside Sukiyabashi Sabo)