Add a sweet touch to your Tokyo holiday
Tokutaro Sakura (徳太樓)
This is a luxurious Japanese sweet store behind the Asakusa Temple and Hanayashiki. The store is located in downtown Tokyo (Shitamachi), but it also delivers to local restaurants. Even when you’re completely full, you will still be able to fit in a light kintsuba, which is made from sweetened red beans wrapped in wheat flour dough. It’s no wonder that over 500 kintsuba are sold every day.
Patisserie Villon (洋菓子ヴィヨン)
This store specialises in baumkuchen, which is a work of art baked in the shape of a vase. You’ll be guaranteed to gasp in astonishment when you open the box. The cakes are moist and the most appetising part is that you can enjoy them without needing to drink water! Some 48 hours of continuous baking has been said to be the key to making this delicious product.
Ohmiya Patisserie (近江屋洋菓子店)
Ohmiya Patisserie is a store with a Showa retro feel. You can buy inexpensive apple pies and shortcakes, but the most popular product is its fruit punch. This jewellery box of fruit in a jar is an excellent treat to spoil yourself with and makes a perfect present too.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am - 7pm; Sundays and national holidays, 10am-5.30pm; Closed on New Year's Day (for New Year’s holidays, please contact us)
Tel: +81 3 3251 0291
http://www.ohmiyayougashiten.co.jp
SATSUKI Patisserie (パティスリーSATSUKI)
Only 40 slices of the super melon shortcake (1500 yen or US$13) are sold each day and the shop’s resident patisserie has poured his heart and soul into these works of art. Its best-selling creation elevates the charm of sweet, fresh melons to another level.
Chocolatier Erica (ショコラティエ・エリカ)
Chocolatier Erica is a specialist chocolate store that has been satisfying gourmet tastes for 34 years. Each and every chocolate is carefully handmade. Its Ma Bonne chocolate bar, filled with marshmallow and walnuts, will change the way you look at chocolate.
Naniwaya Head Office (浪花家総本店)
This is a well-established store in Azabu Juban that has been baking taiyaki (fish-shaped pancakes with red bean paste filling) for more than 100 years. Its taiyaki – which inspired a popular song in Japan – achieves a perfect balance with its crispy outer layer and warm red bean filling.
Sasama (Confectionary Makers) (御菓子処 さゝま)
This delicious range of Japanese sweets made with traditional techniques will completely captivate you. A seasonal approach to confectionary making is used, which changes each month. Get ready to be charmed by the colours of nature. In spring, try the Rapeseed range, which is decorated with the motif of rape blossoms. The brilliance of each season is presented with contrasting colours of yellow and green.
Toshi Yoroizuka (Ebisu Branch) (Toshi Yoroizuka 恵比寿)
Patisserie Toshi Yoroizuka was the winner at the French International Confectionary Trade Fair, so why not try some of his world-renowned pastries? If it’s your first time here, you must try the speciality Jean-Pierre. When you pierce its shiny surface with your fork, you’ll be greeted with a centre filled with moist cream and crunchy nuts. Don’t miss out on the exquisite texture of this wonderful pastry!
There is a wealth of sweet spots for gourmet travellers from around the world who are visiting Tokyo. Head out on your own mission and find some dessert gems!
