It was a privilege to host The Art of Wagashi, a cultural gastronomic event run by New Zealand’s embassy of Japan.

As the cherry blossoms or sakura blooms in Japan, the country is transformed into a scenery featuring pink and white hues. But do you know that many tasty treats can be prepared with these blooms?

“Neo wagashi,” a modern twist on traditional Japanese sweets, is gaining popularity with its photogenic appearance that is perfectly suited for today's social media era. Long-established shops ...