48 Incredible Japanese Desserts

Japanese desserts (Wagashi) don’t always get enough attention in my dessert world. I’ve been slowly changing that and have been making them far more often. Most Japanese sweets aren’t as sugary as what we typically serve here in the US, although many of the Japanese desserts in this list have been tailored to our palates.

You’ll find everything here from traditional Japanese desserts to Japanese pastries to Japanese pancakes! Most of Japanese dessert recipes are incredibly simple to make and will make the perfect ending to any Japanese meal.

Japanese Dessert Recipes

1. Japanese Coffee Jelly

Let’s start this list with a bang and go with my favorite from the entire list! Coffee Jelly might seem strange if you’ve never heard of it but hear me out.

Sweetened coffee is turned into “jelly” that’s the consistency of Jell-O. It is, essentially, coffee Jell-O that’s served with cream, milk, or even whipped cream. It’s a sophisticated dessert that’s also one heckuva lot of fun to eat.

2. Mochi Ice Cream

My oldest begs me to buy Mochi Ice Cream (strawberry is her favorite). They sell it everywhere now – even at Costco! I’d had Mochi many times before but never with ice cream; it takes it to a whole new level!

Mochi is a sweetened sticky rice dough. Wrapping it around ice cream is the perfect way to serve it and is much simpler than you might think!

3. Strawberry Cream Japanese Cake Roll

This Japanese dessert is light and airy with a whipped cream filling that’s stabilized with a bit of gelatin. It’s much easier to make than the final result makes it looks. With step-by-step photos and clear instructions, this is definitely one to try.

4. Hakkaido Chiffon Cupcakes

Who wants a “cottony meringue cupcake filled with delicious custard”? 🙋‍♀️

Light and airy, these little Japanese sweets aren’t overly sweet and they don’t need frosting, only a dusting of powdered sugar. They’re also a dessert that tastes even better the next day, so they’re perfect if you’re looking for something to make ahead of time.

5. Mitarashi Dango

Mitarashi Dango is a traditional Japanese rice dumpling that’s covered in a sweetened soy glaze. The dumplings are skewered on a bamboo stick, traditionally five to a skewer.

The chewy dumplings brushed with the sweet glaze are irresistible and the perfect ending to a meal or for a snack with a cup of hot green tea.

6. Purin (Japanese Caramel Custard Pudding)

“Purin” means “pudding” in Japanese. This version has two layers: a soft, smooth and creamy custard with a sweet caramel-like syrup with a slight hint of bitterness. It can be made up to 3 days ahead making it perfect to serve at your next dinner party.

7. Cream Pan (Japanese Custard-Filled Cream Buns)

This delicious sweet bread melts in your mouth. The fact that it’s filled with custard is just a bonus! This Japanese dessert recipe takes more time and care than most of the others on the list, but it’s well worth the extra effort.

8. Matcha Magic Cake

If the last Japanese dessert recipe was extra effort, this one is just the opposite. It’s called “magic” cake for good reason: a very thin, pourable batter becomes a custard-like “cake” that’s sliceable and oh-so-delicious! Give it a dusting of powdered sugar and enjoy the wonderful texture of this truly magical cake.

9. Melon Pan

Melon Pan is a classic Japanese sweet bread that’s covered in a thin layer of crisp cookie-style crust. A grid pattern is etched into the top for a gorgeous, tasty, traditional Japanese dessert that everyone will love!

10. Japanese Cheesecake

If you’re looking for a Japanese dessert to serve that doesn’t stray too far from what you might be used to, give this Japanese cheesecake a try. It’s much fluffier and softer than traditional cheesecake with an incredibly light texture.

There are a few more steps involved when making this version but with clear instructions as well as troubleshooting tips, it should be a breeze!

11. Matcha White Chocolate Swiss Roll

How gorgeous is this simple roll cake?? If you love the flavor of Matcha then you’ll absolutely love the flavors of this beautiful dessert. With a white chocolate cream center and a tender, moist sponge cake to wrap it in, this is one Japanese dessert you’ll be proud to serve and glad to be eat!

12. Dorayaki (Japanese Red Bean Pancake)

Sweet, fluffy pancakes are “stuffed” with a sweet red bean filling to make a delightful, traditional Japanese dessert. It’s very popular in Japan and is beloved by kids and adults alike. It’s perfectly served with green tea for a wonderful ending to a meal.

13. Fluffy and Soft Japanese Chocolate Cake Roll

Yet another cake roll but this time it’s all about chocolate. A soft and fluffy chiffon cake is filled with a light chocolate whipped cream – what’s not to love?

14. Matcha Cream Puffs

It’s a beautiful thing when two cuisines merge to create an entirely new dessert flavor. These pretty little puffs are best served the same day they’re made, but don’t worry, they won’t last longer than that anyway!

15. Japanese Pancakes

These extra thick, fluffy pancakes might not technically be a dessert, but we’d be remiss not to include them, especially since they could easily be dessert-worthy with a bit of chocolate sauce and fresh berries. You’ll need a mold or you can easily make your own (instructions are included).

16. Japanese Milk Pudding

With just four ingredients, this silky, creamy pudding tastes similar to ice cream! You can find this easy pudding in stores throughout Japan but it’s also very easy to make at home. Garnish with some edible flowers for a beautiful Japanese dessert.

17. Matcha Marshmallows with Fresh Mint Hot Cocoa

These cute little Matcha marshmallows are tasty enough to enjoy on their own but even better in a cup of hot cocoa. This would be a fun recipe to make with your kids. Serving after a cold day sledding outside is entirely optional.

18. Homemade Pocky Sticks

You’ve probably seen pocky sticks at the store and may have even picked some up. They’re very popular with my kids who beg me to buy them. They come in a variety of flavors but making them at home means you can make them just how you like them plus add nuts, sprinkles, or whatever your heart desires!

19. Mochi Donuts

These mochi donuts are the ultimate cultural fusion dish. They have a chewy mochi center that’s paired with a crunchy, golden brown exterior. Then it’s rolled in granulated sugar for the perfect dessert for any occasion.

20. Japanese Strawberry Shortcake

My mom’s strawberry shortcake will forever be my favorite (she makes the biscuits with Bisquick and they’re SO good, plus quick and easy) BUT this Japanese version is a close second. It has a soft, pillowy cake that’s the perfect complement to the strawberries and whipped cream filling.

21. Matcha Tiramisu

This Japanese dessert on the list is a mix of Italian and Japanese flavors to create the ultimate delicious ending to your Japanese meal. This one is definitely a make-ahead dessert as it needs to be chilled for at least two hours and preferably overnight. Check out the step-by-step photo instructions to see how easy this incredible dessert really is.

22. Green Tea Ice Cream

This popular Japanese ice cream flavor has a vibrant green color and a unique, slightly bitter, and sweet taste. It is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients including matcha powder, cream, milk, sugar, and egg yolks.

23. Anmitsu

This is a traditional Japanese cold dessert is made with agar jelly, sweet red bean paste, fruit slices, and sweet syrup, often served with a scoop of ice cream. Agar jelly has no flavor or taste but many find the jelly texture enjoyable.

24. Taiyaki (Japanese Fish Shaped Waffle)

Taiyaki are fish-shaped cakes filled with sweet red bean paste, matcha, fruit jams, custard, or other sweet fillings. They are enjoyed during various celebrations and festivals throughout the year and are also a popular street food in Japan.

25. Castella Cake (Kasutera)

Originating from Portugal and adopted by Japan, these sponge cakes are made with flour, eggs, sugar, and starch syrup. These popular tea-time sponge cakes have a soft, moist texture and a slightly sweet taste.

26. Kakigōri (Japanese Shaved Ice)

Kakigori is a Japanese shaved ice dessert topped with flavored syrups such as strawberry, lemon, melon, and simple syrup. They are often accompanied by sweetened condensed milk, fruit, or red bean paste and are very popular during the hot and humid summer seasons in Japan.

27. Purin (Japanese Custard Pudding)

Purin, is similar to flan or crème caramel, a caramel-flavored custard pudding with a smooth and silky texture. This popular treat can be found in almost any Japanese market or convenience stores.

28. Yuzu Sorbet

Yuzu sorbet is a refreshing frozen dessert made from yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit that originally came from China. Yuzu tastes like a mix of lemon, mandarin orange, and grapefruit and has a tangy and citrusy flavor. As yuzu’s popularity has grown worldwide popular dishes like yuzu sorbet and yuzu sauces have gained prominence.

More Japanese Desserts

These Japanese desserts range from the traditional and popular to desserts that are served up during Japanese holidays and events such as Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year), Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Day) or cherry blossom season.

1. Amezaiku: Amezaiku is a traditional Japanese candy art made by crafting multi-colored taffy to sculpt into intricate animal, flower or character shapes.
2. Anpan: Anpan is traditional Japanese pastry and consists of a sweet bun filled with red bean paste, typically made from azuki beans. Other fillings include white beans, green beans, sesame and chestnuts.
3. Ohagi (Botamochi): These sweet rice balls, known as Botamochi in spring and Ohagi in autumn, are made glutinous rice, sugar, and red bean paste, and coated with soybean flour.
4. Chinsuko: Also known as Okinawan Shortbread Cookies, this is a traditional Okinawan cookie made from a blend of flour, sugar, and lard, resulting in a crumbly, sweet biscuit.
5. Hakuto Jelly: Hakuto jelly is made from white peaches “Shimizuhakuto” and is very popular during the summer season in Japan.
6. Hanami Dango: These three skewered balls of mochi come in three colors, pink, white, and green and are often enjoyed during Hanami to celebrate cherry blossom season.
7. Hina Arare: These colorful, bite-sized rice crackers are often eaten during Hinamatsuri, or Doll’s Day, on March 3rd. Eating “Hina-arare” symbolizes a prayer for the health and growth of young girls.
8. Imagawayaki aka ōban’yaki: Imagawayaki, which takes on many names depending on the region, is a popular Japanese snack or dessert pancake that is crispy on the outside and filled with red bean paste, custard, or chocolate on the inside.
9. Kagami Mochi (mirror rice cake): This is a traditional Japanese New Year’s decoration made from stacked with two round mochi rice cakes, with the smaller round mochi sitting atop the larger one. The term “kagami” means mirror and the round mochi shapes symbolize a mirror and represent good luck and prosperity in the New Year.
10. Kuri Kinton (Candied Chestnuts and Sweet Potatoes): Japanese sweet potato is mashed with chestnuts resulting in an appearance which resembles gold nuggets or coins. This dish is often served during Oseibo (end-of-year gift-giving) and Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year) representing good luck, fortune and prosperous business.
11. Kuromame (Sweet Black Soybeans): A traditional Japanese sweet made by simmering black soybeans in a sweet and slightly savory syrup until tender. This treat is an important part of the symbolic Osechi Ryori meal of traditional Japanese New Year foods.
12. Miso: Miso paste is more of a secret ingredient in desserts, enhancing flavors of many desserts. Miso paste is popular in cookies, brownies, chocolate cakes, caramel sauces and desserts and much more.
13. Mochi: Mochi is a traditional Japanese rice cake made from glutinous rice and can be served in its solid form or as an ingredient in many Japanese dishes. Mochi plays an important role during many Japanese celebrations including New Year, Cherry Blossom season, Children’s Day, and Girls’ Day.
14. Momiji Manjū: This famous Japanese confection from Hiroshima, is a sweet cake made with mochi and rice flour and filled with sweet red bean paste or other fillings and shaped like a maple leaf.
15. Namagashi (Raw Sweets): These traditional Japanese sweets are artistic soft candies made from azuki (sweet red bean paste), jellies, fruits, or nuts as fillings. They are typically served during the Japanese tea ceremony but are also enjoyed throughout the year.
16. Raindrop Cake (Mizu Shingen Mochi): As the name suggests, this unique and translucent jelly-like treat looks just like a single raindrop on a plate. It is made with agar and mineral water and served with kinako, roasted soybean powder, and kuromitsu, black sugar syrup.
17. Sakura Mochi: This sweet pink mochi is typically enjoyed during Girls’ Day or cherry blossom viewing parties in the spring. It consists of sweetened red bean paste, covered with a layer of soft, pink mochi and wrapped in a salt, pickled cherry blossom leaf.
18. Sata Andagi: Originating from Okinawa, Sata Andagi is a deep-fried doughnut and made with flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder. Similar to doughnuts, Sata Andagi comes in many flavors and the texture is crisp, dense and cakey.
19. Tokyo Banana: Tokyo Banana is a popular souvenir, banana-shaped sponge cake filled with banana custard cream inside. In addition to the banana shape, these fun pastries come with a variety of designs including flowers, sea otters, pandas, giraffes, Hello Kitty and Pokemon.
20. Yomogi Dango (Mugwort Dango): A type of sweet dumpling made from shiratamako (rice flour) and Japanese mugwort or Yomogi leaves as it is known in Japan. They are often enjoyed during the Japanese holiday of Shōbu no Sekku, celebrated on May 5th.

Do you have any favorite Japanese desserts we missed? Share them in the comments below so we can consider adding them to the list. You might also be interested in this list of easy desserts, these blueberry desserts using either fresh or frozen berries, or this list of Mexican desserts.