Dagashi
- Published 2015.7.27
The History Behind Dagashi
Japanese Dagashi was first created during the Edo Era (1603-1868) and was popular in Edo City, now known as Tokyo. Cities during the Edo Era contained large city gates that existed within the city to control the flow of people in the city. The people who lived near these gates started to open small shops that would sell cheap goods such as sandals, paper, dumplings, and dagashi to the people passing by.
The affordable snacks quickly became popular because they were made out of kneaded millet, grain, or starch syrup which was not very costly compared to snacks made out of white sugar.
The early 1950s was the beginning of the golden age of dagashi, and during the 1960s and 1970s, dagashi varieties expanded through new manufacturing processes from industrialization. Dagashi used to be handmade locally, limiting the varieties and the amount that could be made due to the time consuming making process. Children during these times received small allowances, so they could afford to buy dagashi.
Recently, dagashi have been popular due to the retro feel that the snacks have. Dagashi bars are also becoming popular in the Tokyo area, appealing to the older generation and some dagashi stores now stay open till 3 a.m. to appeal to office workers that finish their work late at night.
