Nerikiri Wagashi: Japanese Confectionery
Learn to sculpt beautiful Japanese sweet confections using traditional nerikiri techniques
Wagashi, or Japanese confections, boast a rich history spanning hundreds of years. Among the most exquisite are nerikiri, hand-sculpted sweets in various flavors and styles, reflecting nature’s beauty and often modeled on seasonal scenes. These edible works of art are famous worldwide and accessible to everyone, not just masters.
You will learn the characteristics of Nerikiri, its ingredients, and traditional techniques while crafting your own original designs.
This workshop offers more than the joy of tasting Wagashi; it gives you the experience of creating edible art, engaging your senses of sight, touch, and taste. Simple hand movements— pressing, pinching, layering — become acts of sculpture and painting, turning the creative process itself into an artistic experience. Through this hands-on practice, you will discover the unique beauty of Japanese food culture.
At the end of the class, you’ll take home the Nerikiri you lovingly crafted yourself. We hope you’ll share them with your family and friends—revisiting the stories and moments from the workshop as you admire and enjoy the sweets you created with your own hands.
What Makes Us Different?
Hands-on experience:
All the ingredients and materials are prepared, and containers for taking them home are provided. You only need to walk into the classroom and leave with four beautiful wagashi.
Personal attention:
We believe in providing personalized attention to each of our students, with our instructors offering individualized guidance and support.
Community atmosphere:
Cooking is always more fun with friends! Our classes offer a warm and welcoming environment where you can connect with other sweet-making enthusiasts and share your love for Nerikiri.
PRICE
$80 / person
DURATION
2 hours
LOCATION
91 E 3rd street, New York, NY 10003
We are currently scheduling our next sessions.
About the Instructor
Mari Matsuo
Mari is an instructor at Temari NY who specializes in teaching Wagashi (Japanese confectionery).Her journey into food art began when her children were young — she started making "kyaraben" (cute bento boxes featuring anime characters and animals), hoping to bring joy to their lunchtime.Her love for beautiful and creative food art led her to discover Wagashi — Traditional Japanese sweets — and she instantly fell in love with the craft.She went on to become certified as a "Nerikiri (Traditional Japanese Sweets) Art instructor" in Japan.
Now, Mari brings her passion to New York City, sharing the art of Wagashi with students and inspiring more people to experience the joy of making these beautiful Japanese sweets at home.
Yuki Sakura
Yuki originally pursued a career as a pâtissier, dedicating herself to creating Western-style desserts. However, as she reflected more deeply on her identity as a Japanese person, a new desire began to grow within her—a desire to share Japanese culture with the world through her own hands. That realization led her to the path of Wagashi (和菓子).
Today, Yuki creates Wagashi for tea ceremonies and matcha specialty shops. Each piece is crafted entirely by hand, infused with the changing seasons and the feelings of the maker. Wagashi are not simply sweets; they are expressions of nature, emotion, and tradition. They are meant to be appreciated with the eyes, felt with the heart, and remembered long after the last bite. Delivering this “multi-layered experience” is the foundation of her Wagashi-making.
Looking ahead, she hopes to share the joy and depth of Wagashi with people across countries and generations. Her goal is to bring the beauty and warmth of this traditional Japanese art form to a wider audience around the world.
