On weekends, there is always a long line here. Since there was no line on weekdays, I bought both the red bean and white bean flavors. The freshly made ones have a chewy texture. The sweet bean paste inside is not too sweet, which is great. It was perfect for snacking on.

It was cold, so I was drawn to a warm dessert at Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro Plaza Building B2. There were about 20 people lined up that day, but it went down to around 8 people by the time I finished shopping elsewhere, so I decided to wait in line to make a purchase. I bought 5 red bean and white bean desserts, with the red bean ones costing 110 yen each in a box. It seems like the price might have gone up since the last time I visited. I tried one while it was still slightly warm. The red bean paste was rich and the sweetness was light, making it easy to eat a lot. The skin was a bit too moist, which was a bit disappointing. It seemed like eating it on the spot would be the most delicious. For the second one, I tried the recommended heating method, microwaving. However, the skin became a bit dry and tough, so I might have overheated it. After eating, the red bean paste left a refreshing taste. Even at 110 yen each, it's still a good deal. The staff members had lovely smiles and were efficient. Thank you for the meal.

While wandering around the basement of Ikebukuro LUMINE, I stumbled upon Gozasu! I didn't know it was here, as I usually only go to the upper floors. Just like in Omiya, there was a line. It's quite popular. I ordered four red ones. Oh, by the way, I heard they raised the prices. It's understandable in these times, but once it goes over 100 yen, it's a bit much... I wish it was a little cheaper, maybe without the wrapping paper and brochures. When I was asked if I had a LUMINE card, I realized this wasn't LUMINE but the neighboring Tobu Department Store haha. I thought the basement was spacious, and it turns out they're connected. Gozasu itself was reliably delicious.

This is my favorite dorayaki shop. I always order with red bean paste and white bean paste. I usually order three with red bean paste because I never get tired of the delicious taste. I admire how skillfully they wrap the dorayaki in paper while waiting in line.

After shopping at the food department of Tobu Department Store Ikebukuro, my wife mentioned that she wanted to buy Imagawayaki from the store. She chose the white bean paste and regular types. We only wanted one piece, so we got a quarter of a piece to try. The taste hasn't changed over the years, with a strong aroma of baking soda, giving it a traditional flavor. The highlight is the delicious bean paste. The slightly salty flavor is also distinctive. I don't usually buy it when I'm alone, but occasionally, it tastes really good. I would like to buy it again if I have the chance!

Do not underestimate Gozakou-san, a chain store based in Himeji. In the Kanto region, they have imagawayaki, obanyaki, and other types of rotating cakes, which vary in name depending on the region. At Gozakou, they offer a mix of "red" and "white." The red comes from the red beans used as the main ingredient, while the white comes from the white kidney beans. The red bean paste is not too sweet, with a slightly subdued sweetness, while the white bean paste has a rich flavor that surpasses the red in sweetness. The combination of the two bean pastes is a stroke of genius, with the perfect balance of sugar content contributing to its popularity and long lines. The reason for its popularity may be that it is not easy to get tired of eating it and that it leaves a good aftertaste, making you want to eat it again soon. It's a mysterious imagawayaki that becomes addictive. My buying routine is to intentionally purchase an odd number, with more white ones (laughs).

The popular morning drama "Kamukamu Everybody" has been gaining popularity, and it has also brought attention to local treats such as "Gozakou," "Kaitenyaki," "Imagawayaki," and "Obanyaki." The names of these treats vary by region, and they are known for being delicious and affordable. Despite the long lines, I decided to wait and try them out. I noticed that they were selling for 95 yen each, which is cheaper than the 100 yen price mentioned in the drama. I hadn't had these treats in a while, and they were indeed delicious. 😊

I have been using this place occasionally, but when I crave for sweet Japanese confectionery, I come here to buy. The imagawayaki here is reasonably priced and easy to eat, which is nice! There are a few chairs nearby, so you can eat there on the spot. I usually eat the hot one there. Thank you for the meal.

Ikebukuro Tobu Department Store Plaza Building B2. They bake the manju on the spot. There is always a long line, so I usually don't buy them for myself but receive them as souvenirs (lol). Lately, I've been buying them even when there's a line (lol). If you buy one or two, they wrap them in paper. If you buy three, they wrap them in bamboo-like paper. If you buy four or more, they come in a paper box. On this day, I bought three red and one white as souvenirs. I tried them out later. They were slightly warm as it was towards the end of their stock. They were just warm enough so I didn't bother reheating them in the microwave. My mother and I both prefer the red ones. The red one had a slightly grainy red bean paste, soft and lightly sweet skin that was slightly crispy and sticky. The white one had a sweet taste that hits you first. Both have a nostalgic and simple taste. Even one piece has a good amount, but I always end up eating two (lol). They put a white bean paste sticker on the box of white ones and explain it. The staff members have lovely smiles and work efficiently. Thank you for the meal.

I really felt like eating a taiyaki, which often appears in morning dramas. The effect of television is amazing. The taiyaki here is not too sweet with red bean paste, and the price is also cheap, which is really nice. I haven't seen it much in town recently, but the sense of security that comes with chain expansion is appreciated.

In these times, the "Ozakugo" is the best in terms of cost performance. One costs only 95 yen. The red one is made with azuki beans, and the white one is made with white kidney beans. The skin is filled tightly with sweet bean paste. Of course, they are delicious when freshly baked, but even when cooled down, the texture of the skin remains firm and offers a different kind of deliciousness.

Located in Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo. A take-out only rotational baked goods store (known as imagawayaki, obanyaki, or oyaki depending on the region) on the B2F of Tobu Department Store Plaza. Established in 1959, with its headquarters in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. There are a total of 75 stores nationwide. The nearest station is Ikebukuro Station, a big terminal with a high number of passengers after Shinjuku and Shibuya. Affordable and delicious treats are available here. Today, I stopped by the Tobu Department Store in Ikebukuro to purchase a snack. The "gozarosouro" is a popular treat in the Kansai region. I tried it for the first time. I personally prefer imagawayaki. What about you? Today's order: Red bean paste x2 for 95 yen each. Made with red beans from Tokachi, Hokkaido. The moist red bean paste is delicious, and the skin has a nice weight to it. Next time, I'll try the white bean paste too. #Gozarosouro #Imagawayaki in the Tokyo area #Obanyaki in the Tokai region #Oyaki in Hokkaido #Rotational baked goods in Kansai #Gozarosouro in Hyogo Prefecture #Sweets #Demonstration sales #Japanese sweets #Take-out #Ikebukuro Tobu Department Store #Souvenir #There is also a store in Shinjuku Takashimaya.

I had mentioned it a few times, but it didn't really click with me. The taiyaki and imagawayaki near Ikebukuro West Exit have been in a long slump. Recently, places like Kanda Daruma and Hakata-ya in Machiya opened and closed almost immediately. The chain store Naruto Taiyaki is doing well, but... In the midst of this, with the advantage of being in a department store basement, "Gozakou" has been relatively successful for a long time. Despite moving to the same location on the 2nd basement floor of Plaza Building due to Tobu Department Store's renovation, it is still thriving and seems to attract many customers. This shop's specialty is Gozakou. It is known by various names such as taiyaki, imagawayaki, obanyaki, taikoyaki, nijuuyaki, and so on, but in Hyogo Prefecture, Gozakou has become synonymous with these treats. According to many surveys, Kyoto is known for "taiyaki," but when I was a child, my mother called it taikoyaki. However, my father, who is originally from Edo, what did he call it? Now, this shop has standing tables and tables where one or two people can sit in front of the store, where you can eat freshly baked treats. In the previous location, there were chairs in front of "Nakahora Farm" and next to the elevator, but those seats seemed to be reserved for people eating soft serve ice cream from "Nakahora Farm," making it a bit intimidating to eat Gozakou there. "Gozakou (red)" (95 yen) - As shown in the photo. Inside is red bean paste made from Tokachi, Hokkaido. It felt like my first time eating freshly baked treats on the spot. I thought it was quite delicious. On the positive side, there was a sense of elegance within the sweetness, a subtle sweetness that gradually brings out the umami flavor. On the negative side, it might be too refined, lacking a punch. However, what one expects from this Gozakou may vary depending on the mood and other factors. The combination with other foods before and after may also play a role. This time, maybe because it was freshly baked, I enjoyed it more than usual. Thank you for the meal. And just as I was finishing up this review and checking the prices on the receipt, it said, "Imagawayaki 1 piece 95 yen." So, it wasn't Gozakou after all? (laughs) (Written by Kyonatsu Shuusora, July 9, 2020) (44 reviews, 3.12 stars)

The basement first floor grocery section of Tobu Department Store is open for business, making it convenient to buy ingredients like bread and vegetables. While there are no Western or Japanese confectionery shops on this floor, there is a small sweets section that sells Imagawayaki. They offer red bean paste and white bean paste flavors for 95 yen each, as well as seasonal mugwort mochi (which was sold out). I purchased one red bean paste Imagawayaki and ate it at home. It was cold, but the dough was chewy and had a stretchy, mochi-like texture when I tried to cut it in half with a knife. While I usually prefer crispy thin skin for Taiyaki, I enjoyed the thick and chewy texture of Imagawayaki.

I went because it's closing at the end of this month. Tobu Ikebukuro is long and narrow, so you have to check the street numbers to find the underground department store. This place is located in the basement of the 9th street. It's in the Metropolitan, a relatively new Hanasan Terrace underground. It's quiet, with about 3 counter seats for eating in. On a weekday afternoon, there were 2 customers before me. Soft serve regular 380 yen, 2 red bean paste and 1 white bean paste each 95 yen including tax. You can choose between cone and cup for the soft serve, and I chose a cup. There is a Carpigiani machine in the back, and it squeezes out the soft serve right away. It's truly Carpigiani! The melting sensation is different. And the red bean paste is gently sweet, stopping just before becoming too sweet, creating a nice mix with the sweetness of the ice cream fat. Both adults and children are likely to enjoy it. The cup portion is quite generous. I wonder what a large size would be like... It was really delicious! I wish they would offer it even outside of summer... It seems like the location is not ideal, but if it were on the 1st floor of the station or near the ticket gate, it would attract a lot of people. I couldn't resist and took a bite of the Goyakko (steamed bun) because it was freshly baked. The chewy dough with a moderate sweetness of the red bean paste was plentiful. Even with plenty of filling, it's easy to eat. I like warm red bean paste. I wanted to compare it with the white bean paste, but I didn't eat it as a souvenir. I heard it was delicious. It seems like a good choice for a souvenir when you drop by again! Thank you for the meal! I hope they bring back the soft serve!!! (laughs)

I love this place so much. It's one of only two stores in the country where you can get red bean soft serve ice cream, but unfortunately they will stop selling it on August 31st. They won't even bring it back next summer. I went there knowing it might be my last chance. The red bean soft serve ice cream was 360 yen (tax included) for a regular size. The deliciousness of the red bean spread out gently with each bite. It was so tasty! I can't believe I won't be able to have it again. If you haven't tried it yet and were planning to, please go before August 31st.

My favorite Imagawayaki shop is "Gozakou"! They have plenty of sweet red bean paste and the cost performance is great, I love it. However, I recently found out that their Ikebukuro branch offers "Azuki Soft Serve"! I visited the shop right away. It is located on the basement 2nd floor of Tobu Department Store. As expected, they have soft serve on the menu. I ordered the Azuki Soft Serve in a cone for 380 yen (tax included). They also offer it in a cup for 460 yen (tax included). The soft serve has a faint red bean color. When I took a bite, the flavor of red bean spread gently. Truly delicious, Gozakou, well done! The soft and smooth texture was also great. If only they added a dollop of red bean on the side, it would be perfect. I asked the staff and they said that only the Himeji and Ikebukuro branches of Gozakou offer soft serve! Red bean lovers, please make sure to visit!

I came to Ozaikusama located in the basement of Tobu Ikebukuro. When I get tired, I sometimes crave their Imagawayaki. They sell two types: with white bean paste and with red bean paste, both for 85 yen each. I bought 5 of the red bean paste ones. The Imagawayaki has a thick skin and is filled with plenty of sweet bean paste. The red bean paste is delicious with a nice texture. I'm not a big fan of the white bean paste, so I always end up buying the red bean paste. If I get tired again, I'll definitely stop by for a sugar boost. Thank you for the meal!

The place is located inside the Tobu Department Store in Ikebukuro, about a 1-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station. The quality of the products on the 2nd basement floor is rated at 87 points, service at 80 points, and cleanliness at 85 points. The overall rating is 86 points out of 100. Freshly baked items are displayed from the beginning, with one costing ¥85. You can choose between white bean paste and red bean paste, and this time I chose red bean paste. Overall, the appearance (freshly made and fluffy), taste (the dough is chewy and moist, and the red bean paste is sweet and delicious), and satisfaction (great taste at such a low price near Ikebukuro Station! Discovered a hidden gem) are all rated highly. I would definitely like to visit again if I have the chance. Thank you for the meal.

Soft serve ice cream comes in two sizes, and the large size is only available in a cone. I wished they offered cups as well! I ordered the regular size red bean soft serve on this day, and since they said it's only available in a cone, I had to order it that way. The texture was slightly grainy like red bean, with a sweetness similar to a red bean bar. It wasn't too strong, and had a richer milk flavor compared to a red bean bar. The smooth finish was nice, but it was disappointing that the cone flavor transferred to the soft serve. It was a bit pricey, but the red bean flavor was definitely present!