Yokan is one of the representative Japanese confectionary. Kanten (agar-agar: mucilage of sea weed) is used to jelly sweeten bean paste.
In summer, Mizu-Yokan (Mizu means water) is often eaten. Compared with regular Yokan, the softer Mizu-Yokan contains more water and tastes light.
Many of summer sweets, which look transparent and cool, are solidified with Kanten or Kuzuko (powdered arrowroot).
Neither Kanten nor Kuzuko is an animal product, while gelatin which commonly used to make jelly is water-soluble protein extracted from animal skin and bone.
Japanese confectionary is suitable treats for vegan or vegetarian people.