Photo Series [Candied in Japan]

Candied Kushi-Dango 

Candied Strawberries

Candied Clementines

While living in Japan, I traveled to the Dangiri Festival of the Kansai region. It was one of the most exciting events I witnessed. Men gathered together from their respective towns and pulled beautiful and heavy shrine-like carts through the streets. As if this festival wasn't colorful enough, I came across some side streets with street vendors offering sticky and sweet delicacies. You may recognize the strawberries and clementines but if you are unfamiliar with Kushi-Dango, you are not alone. I encountered these sweet but savory skewered dumplings for the first time while in Japan. They are extremely unique in flavor and have a chewy and doughy texture. Despite their resemblance to eyeballs, Kushi-Dango became one of my favorite treats because of their interesting flavor. As for the rest of the delicacies, I have never had much of a sweet tooth, but the colors and textures sure did satisfy my eye.