Make Modern, Beautiful Wagashi With an Artisan in a Kamakura Teahouse

A Hidden Teahouse in Nature-Rich Kamakura

Kamakura is a popular tourist destination known for its historical sites and natural beauty, with mountains and the sea. Temari, quietly nestled in Hase near landmarks like the Great Buddha and Hasedera temple, offers not just wagashi and tea for purchase but also hands-on experiences for making authentic wagashi. Since opening in 2013, the teahouse has attracted visitors from all over Japan.

Teahouse Temari is located in a quiet spot of ​​Hase, Kamakura

Temari is run by Yuko Misonoi, a wagashi artist with an unusual background. After working as a teacher and host, she became a mother and then pursued a career in wagashi. Misonoi is dedicated to sharing the charm of Japanese sweets, offering technical instruction both at home and abroad, and making media appearances.

When the shop first opened, traditional designs were still the norm. Misonoi wanted to "create exciting, cute wagashi with a uniquely feminine touch in a field dominated by male artisans." True to her vision, Temari offers highly creative and beautifully designed Japanese sweets that stand out and captivate at first sight.

Yuko Misonoi, representative of Temari and a wagashi artist

Lovely and delicate, wagashi is part of Japan's beautiful traditional culture. Among the many types, nerikiri is one of the most iconic, made by kneading white bean paste. Its name reflects the process of thoroughly kneading (“neru” in Japanese) ingredients like bean paste, gyuhi (rice flour kneaded with sugar and starch syrup), wheat flour, and yam.

Temari uses white bean paste as the base and combines just four colors—pink, blue, yellow, and green—to create its designs.

Temari nerikiri: Known for pastel colors and playful designs

The sweets you'll make in this experience were designed under the supervision of Misonoi. Guided by an experienced wagashi artisan, you'll create beautiful nerikiri with modern decorations inspired by Japan's iconic motifs, Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms.

Make Nerikiri with an Artisan

You'll begin making nerikiri with tools typically used by Japanese wagashi artisans. First, knead the dough with your fingertips to incorporate air. You'll be able to watch the artisan’s hands up close as you work together, so even beginners will feel at ease.

The dough feels soft and comforting with the warmth of your hands

To make Mt. Fuji nerikiri, layer and blend white bean paste on blue dough to mimic a snow-capped mountain. Use a squeezing technique to shape the dough into Mt. Fuji, then decorate with an auspicious crane motif and add a touch of gold leaf for a sparkling finish.

Enjoy a relaxing moment as you shape cherry blossoms in your own style

Misonoi says, "Even if there's a sample, feel free to follow your own style." When making sakura nerikiri, which involves decorating a pale pink dough base with cherry blossoms, you can show your individuality through the number of flowers and the gradation. Add your personal touch to the playful design to create a one-of-a-kind piece.

Your nerikiri will look even more adorable on a plate

Watch a Stunning Demonstration by a Japanese Artisan

After making nerikiri, you can watch a Japanese wagashi artisan demonstrate advanced techniques, seeing high-level skills in action. They will create sweets with seasonal motifs, such as "cherry blossoms" in spring and "fireworks" in summer.

As you admire the artisan’s skill, the sweets are made in the blink of an eye

Cherry blossoms are made by shaping pink bean paste into balls and using a triangular tool (sankakubou) to create delicate petal lines. For a nerikiri inspired by night sky fireworks, colorful bean paste is scattered and mixed. Note that your instructor and class content may change depending on the date.

The triangular stick, shaped like a prism, has three different corners, letting you draw thin, thick, and double lines with just one tool

The highlight of this experience is getting a close-up look at the nerikiri-making process, which is rarely seen. You'll gain an appreciation for the skill required to craft these delicate but bold sweets. Enjoy the fascinating sight of colorful white bean paste coming together into a beautiful piece right before you, a display of the artisan's impressive skill.

Fireworks made from vibrant dough—Temari's signature, colorful touch

Enjoy a Relaxing Tea Time with Nerikiri and Matcha

After the artisan’s demonstration, you'll finally taste the nerikiri you made. You'll also enjoy the matcha you prepared yourself, with clear, beginner-friendly instructions provided. Simply mix matcha and hot water in a tea bowl, then use a tea whisk to froth it. Hold the whisk firmly and quickly shake your wrist to produce fine matcha bubbles.

Enjoy the soothing sound of the tea whisk as you mix the matcha in the bowl

Enjoy tasting your finished matcha and freshly made nerikiri. Before you eat, take a moment to admire your work. Your handmade nerikiri might taste especially delightful. Experience the full flavor of traditional Japanese culture with the gentle sweetness of wagashi and the rich taste of matcha.

Experience the Profound Wagashi Culture

In this experience, you'll make nerikiri under the guidance of a wagashi artisan in Kamakura, surrounded by nature throughout the seasons. Discover the blend of traditional techniques and modern flair with Temari, and deepen your appreciation of Japanese culture. It’s a chance to explore the art of wagashi up close and add your own touch to this delightful tradition.

Nerikiri's sweetness pairs perfectly with the rich, astringent flavor of matcha