Philosophy: Crafting the Future of Wagashi
1.The Call to Adventure: Beyond the Recipe
Our journey didn’t start in a kitchen, but in the vast Azuki bean fields of Japan. Mika Wada, the founder of the Dorayaki Online School, has long been on a mission to share the profound potential of the Japanese Azuki bean with the world. Through her work documenting the lives of farmers and artisans, she witnessed a growing global fascination with Wagashi.
She also saw a frustrating reality: while people worldwide were attempting to make Dorayaki or Anko through YouTube videos, they were often met with failure. Professional bakers and restaurateurs in Paris and beyond expressed a deep desire to serve authentic Wagashi, BUT they lacked a bridge to true technical mastery. They were left with “pancake-mix” imitations that failed to capture the soulful harmony of authentic bean paste and crust.
2.The Conflict: Defending the “Authentic Harmony”
Today, “Wagashi-style” desserts are trending on social media—mochi ice cream made with potato starch or pancakes filled with canned paste. While these are visually appealing, they lack the structural integrity and nutritional depth of true craftsmanship.
Wagashi is a precise dialogue between ingredients. The bean paste is crafted specifically for the crust, and the crust is engineered to embrace the paste. When this harmony is lost, the essence of the experience is lost. We believe the world deserves to know the “real” Dorayaki—not as a rigid tradition, but as a standard of excellence from which new, local innovations can grow.
3.The Vision: A Superfood for a Sustainable Earth
Our mission is rooted in the earth itself. The Azuki bean is more than an ingredient; it is a Superfood. Rich in polyphenols, potassium, and fiber, it supports health and beauty from within. Furthermore, Azuki production restores the soil, fixing nitrogen naturally and contributing to a more sustainable agricultural cycle without the need for excessive chemical fertilizers.
By empowering chefs in global hubs like New York and Paris to master Dorayaki, we are accelerating a movement. We start with Dorayaki, but we are building a gateway to the entire world of Wagashi—Daifuku, Nerikiri, and beyond. We envision a future where this sustainable, nutrient-dense tradition becomes a pillar of the global culinary landscape.
4.Our Philosophy: Technical Independence for Creative Freedom
In Japan, mastery traditionally takes a decade of apprenticeship. However, the global demand for authentic craft is moving faster than tradition allows. We bridge this gap not by teaching a rigid “secret recipe,” but by empowering you with Technical Independence.
We don’t expect you to simply mimic Japanese flavors. We provide the authentic foundation so that you can create your own original fusions that resonate with your local community. True fusion is the marriage of deep technical knowledge with local soul. We give you the tools to become a self-reliant creator who commands the craft.
5.The Goal: Spreading the “Wa” (The Circle of Peace)
Our ultimate goal is your success—both commercially and spiritually. We want you to build prestigious brands and high-margin products that stand out.
But beyond profit, we invite you to join the circle of “Wa” (和). In Japanese, “Wa” means both “Japanese” and “Harmony/Peace.” Wagashi is a craft born from the desire to pray for others’ happiness and to foster connection. When you serve a Dorayaki crafted with true skill and intent, you are spreading a circle of peace and mindfulness.
We are not just training chefs; we are inviting you to be a part of a global circle that nurtures the earth, honors health, and connects smiles across borders.
Founder Profile
Mika Wada | Visionary & Project Producer Mika is the driving force behind the Dorayaki Online School. Through her global project to promote Japanese Azuki beans, she has documented the lives of farmers and artisans while witnessing the untapped demand for authentic Wagashi in Paris and New York. Realizing that video tutorials were not enough to bridge the technical gap, she partnered with Master Yoko Senoo to create a system that empowers international chefs. Her mission is to use Wagashi as a catalyst for global health, sustainability, and the “Wa” (circle of peace).
