Explore Japan — Season 1, Episode 18: Sweet Revolutionary: Mastering the Art of Marketing Wagashi

Episode synopsis

The delectable Japanese confectionary tradition of wagashi dates back to ancient times, featuring shapes and flavors that change with the seasons. Sanno Hiroyuki, 39 years old, is a freelance artisan who is revolutionizing the world of wagashi. His social media posts often go viral, reaching young people all across the globe. He doesn’t have his own shop, but he gets orders from overseas as well. What’s the appeal of his creative approach to wagashi? We’ll follow Sanno as he forges delicious new paths in this age-old craft.

About Explore Japan

Japan continues to thrive as it incorporates cultural elements of music, fashion, cuisine, sports, arts and science from around the world. People’s encounters trigger the fusion of Japan’s and the world’s diverse culture, unceasingly producing a myriad of new phenomena and events. This series will feature how various culture in modern Japan and overseas blend together and influence each other.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Koshu: The Miraculous Wine
• E2Japan-discovery, Self-discovery: Exchange Students in Tokyo
• E3My Life with Aikido
• E4Delivering to Space
• E5Peru & Japan Fusion of Cuisine
• E6The Somin Naked Festival
• E7The World of Miniatures
• E8The Manufacturing Spirit and Sustainability
• E9Japanese Gardens, Aesthetic Encounters
• E10Going Beyond Tradition: The Challenge of Craftspeople in Kyoto
• E11Innovative Japanese Bread
• E12Capturing Masters’ Workmanship