Taiyaki

This funny-looking fish-shaped snack is often described as a cross between a waffle and a cake. But what makes taiyaki different from them is that while the batter is usually made from ordinary pancake, it is baked with a tantalizing filling unique to Japan. The most common fillings are red bean paste made from sweetened azuri beans, chocolate, sweet potato, cheese, custard, okonomiyaki, gyoza, or sausage. If you plan on touring the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto be sure to order some mouth-watering taiyaki from one of the street vendors nearby.