Japan wins for cakes

After spending an extended time abroad, my four Japan born and bred children, started making lists of things that Japan does better than other countries they have visited. High on the list is cakes. Ironically, in my own lists long long ago when I first came to Japan, I thought cakes in my home country were far nicer than in Japan. However, over time, I have come to like the cakes in Japan. 

Personally, I still wouldn't put Japan over my home country in terms of taste. One reason is that my favorite cake, a black forest gateaux, is not readily available in Japan. But I will say this; the aesthetics of cakes in Japan is far superior to that of my home country! For my four Japanese children, the taste is also better in Japan. They particularly miss the strawberry shortcake that is widely available throughout Japan. You don't really see it in Europe, at least not with fresh cream the way it is made in Japan.

Do you like the cakes in Japan? In your opinion, does Japan do cakes 'better' than in your home country? Are they more expensive in Japan? I thought cakes were expensive in Japan until I realised how expensive they now are in Europe. On cost, there isn't much of a difference between them relative to size.