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Category: Food

A Taste of Japan: DIY Monaka Sweets from La Collina by Taneya

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Hello, this is Eri!

The other day, I visited La Collina, a beautiful facility run by Taneya in Omihachiman, Shiga Prefecture.

Surrounded by nature, with stunning architecture and whimsical design, the place feels like stepping into a fairytale world.

One thing that immediately caught my eye was this unique, oil-can-shaped package.

Inside was one of Taneya’s signature sweets, Fukumi Tenbin—a traditional Japanese monaka (wafer sweet).

This special can version is only available at La Collina!

You can find it in the gift shop, which is set inside a charming garage filled with antique vehicles. It’s such a fun and nostalgic space.

Fukumi Tenbin is a type of monaka where you sandwich sweet red bean paste between two crispy wafers—by yourself!

That’s right—this is a DIY-style Japanese sweet, and the process is part of the fun.

It’s super easy to assemble:

  1. Open the red bean paste packet
  2. Sandwich it between the two wafers

That satisfying crunch when you bite in, paired with the rich flavor of the filling, makes it a truly delightful treat.

This time, I served it on a colorful Kutani-yaki plate, a type of traditional Japanese porcelain.

The combination of handcrafted sweets and a beautifully crafted dish made the moment feel extra special—like a quiet celebration of Japanese artistry.

If you’re ever in the Kansai region, I highly recommend visiting La Collina Omihachiman.

It’s more than just a sweets shop—it’s a place where you can experience the world of Japanese confections.

Prefer to read in Japanese?

→ 日本語の記事はこちらからどうぞ。



Celebrate Tanabata with Mino Ware: Stars, Wishes, and Summer Flavors

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Hello, this is Eri.

July 7th marks Tanabata, a traditional Japanese festival.

It is inspired by a romantic legend where Orihime and Hikoboshi, two lovers separated by the Milky Way, are allowed to meet only once a year—on this special night.

On Tanabata, people write wishes on colorful paper strips and hang them on bamboo branches. Star-themed decorations also add a festive touch to the celebration.

This occasion also brings seasonal charm to the dining table.

A popular Tanabata dish is somen noodles, arranged to resemble the Milky Way.

These smooth, chilled noodles are perfect for Japan’s humid summer and provide a refreshingly cool treat.

You can garnish the plate with star-shaped carrots or cucumber slices cut like bamboo leaves for a touch of summer flair.

At Miyake Ceramics, we offer tableware that complements the Tanabata season beautifully.

Our star-shaped small bowls are ideal for holding condiments like chopped myoga, ginger, or shiso leaves.

Leaf-shaped plates inspired by bamboo are perfect for serving small appetizers or traditional sweets.

The soba cups with bamboo designs are great for dipping sauce, and the bamboo-leaf chopstick rests subtly add a seasonal accent to the setting.

By reflecting the season in your choice of tableware, your everyday meals can feel a little more special.

Why not celebrate Tanabata night with elegant, refreshing dishes that embrace the spirit of the season?

Prefer to read in Japanese?

→ 日本語の記事はこちらからどうぞ。

Savor the Season: Chilled Potato Soup in Artisan-Made Mino Ware

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Though June is typically known as the rainy season in Japan, here in Toki City, Gifu, the summer heat has already arrived. With the sun blazing outside, we often find ourselves craving something cool and refreshing — especially during lunch.

One of my favorite seasonal dishes is a chilled Potato soup. Naturally sweet and smooth, it gently comforts the body and refreshes the spirit — a perfect remedy for hot and humid days.

To enhance the experience, I served it in carefully crafted Mino ware bowls.

The white bowl features a soft, matte texture that feels natural and calming in the hand.

The black bowl, with its quiet elegance, beautifully offsets the pale color of the soup, adding visual harmony to the table.

In Japanese culture, we often say that presentation is part of the flavor.

Thoughtfully chosen tableware doesn’t just hold the food — it tells a story, reflects the season, and shows care for the person who enjoys it.

Why not embrace the summer heat the Japanese way — with a simple, comforting soup, presented in cool, artisan-crafted Mino ware that brings together tradition, design, and functionality?

Let your customers experience the quiet luxury of Japanese hospitality — one bowl at a time.

Prefer to read in Japanese?

→ 日本語の記事はこちらからどうぞ。

Silver Bowls, Sweet Moments

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Hi, this is Eri!

Recently, a friend of mine visited from Tokyo, and as always, we took the chance to explore another charming café together — this time in the town of Tajimi.

One of our favorite things to do when she comes to Gifu is go café-hopping, and this spot is known for its seasonal fruit kakigori (shaved ice desserts).

This time, we ordered the Fresh Strawberry Kakigori.

It came beautifully topped with vibrant red strawberries, a generous layer of yogurt cream, and even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The most memorable part? The silver bowl it was served in.

Cool to the touch and stunning in its simplicity, the silverware added a unique sense of occasion — turning each spoonful into a refreshing and luxurious experience.

We also enjoyed a hearty lunch set featuring honey mustard chicken, which was as flavorful as it was satisfying!

As the seasons change, I’m already looking forward to coming back to discover new flavors.

Last time we visited, I tried their pineapple and peach kakigori — here are some photos I’d love to share with you:

🍍 Pineapple Kakigori　
Juicy, sweet, and light — like capturing a taste of summer in a bowl.

🍑 Peach Kakigori
Delicately sweet with a creamy yogurt topping that balances the flavor beautifully.

While this café didn’t use Mino ware this time, I couldn’t help but notice how much the right tableware enhances the experience of even a simple dessert.

Whether it’s ceramic, glass, or metal — the feel of the material in your hands can leave a lasting impression.

Hope this inspires you to enjoy more fruit-filled summer moments, wherever you are!

Prefer to read in Japanese?

→ 日本語の記事はこちらからどうぞ。