In 2023, I visited a traditional Japanese confectionery shop selected as one of the top 100 in Japan. It was located about a 10-minute walk from Hiroo Station, with a slight uphill slope near Hiroo Garden, which was a bit tiring (laughs). I wanted to buy "dorayaki soba" (a type of sweet pancake) but unfortunately, they were sold out by 3 pm on weekdays. Some of the premium sweets were also sold out. I noticed a fruit daifuku (sweet rice cake) with a choice of kiwi or Shine Muscat grapes. Since the kiwi was bigger, I chose the kiwi option. I was told that I could also eat in the store, so I decided to do that. For dine-in orders, they only offer set menus with a drink. The options were either sencha (green tea) or matcha. I chose the sencha set because it was cheaper. When I sat down, the sencha set was brought to me. I was informed to pour hot water for the second cup of tea myself. I peeked into the teapot and saw fresh tea leaves inside. Impressive! It wasn't leftover tea leaves for the second cup. The kiwi in the fruit daifuku was huge, and I couldn't help but smile. Inside the shell-shaped monaka (wafer cake), there was kiwi and white bean paste, with the sweetness of the bean paste not overpowering the fruity flavor of the kiwi. It was delicious. Eating in the store also helped relieve the heat. Payment was made afterwards.

I visited Azabu Shogetsudo, a famous traditional Japanese sweets shop, located a 10-minute walk from Hiroo Station. I arrived just before opening on a Saturday and was able to enter without waiting. I purchased the Azabu dorayaki soba for 280 yen. The dorayaki soba uses high-quality Azuki beans from Tanba, and the skin is made with eggs and buckwheat flour. The dorayaki skin is moist with a strong buckwheat flavor, and it pairs well with the perfectly sweetened red bean paste. I enjoyed it until the last bite.

A famous shop for traditional Japanese sweets and desserts, serving dishes like anmitsu, yokan, dorayaki, and other traditional sweets. The shop is located in a somewhat hidden corner of the city, with a quaint atmosphere. When I visited on a Saturday at 1 pm, there were only three groups of customers, all locals. I was even mistaken for a participant in a summer festival and given a voucher for a food stall. I managed to grab the last piece of soba dorayaki, as well as some chestnut-filled sweets and sweet bean paste in a pouch. The soba dorayaki had a unique and delicious soba-flavored outer layer with sweet bean paste and mochi, which paired perfectly. The chestnut-filled sweets were also delightful, with a great balance of dough, sweet bean paste, and chestnut. The creativity and the traditional flavors blended well, resulting in the taste of a truly renowned shop. Thank you for the delicious treats.

I have been living in Hiroo for over 25 years, just a 5-6 minute walk from this place that was selected as one of the top 100 traditional Japanese sweets shops. Despite passing by it hundreds of times on my way to Shibuya and Omotesando, I have never actually visited it. Neither my parents nor anyone in the neighborhood has ever mentioned it. The taste is quite good, but I can't help but wonder why bother going to such a remote location. It feels like the selection of the top 100 traditional Japanese sweets shops is just a way to attract foodies and it's making me want to cry. Traditional Japanese sweets are best enjoyed at a favorite shop or bought as souvenirs when visiting tourist spots or department store food halls. Going out of your way to try different traditional Japanese sweets shops seems like something only a person with a lot of free time would do, and I'm starting to feel embarrassed. Well, I'm mostly talking about myself here, so if you are someone who enjoys visiting traditional Japanese sweets shops, please don't take offense to my post.

A Japanese confectionery shop located a little further inside Nishi-Azabu. The store was quite spacious with a wide variety of products. Their anmitsu yokan seemed to be famous, but unfortunately it was sold out. They had seasonal chestnut sweets that looked appealing, but I ended up buying a soba flour dorayaki called "Azabu dorayaki"! The name itself sounded classy and delicious. The dorayaki cost 280 yen and can last for about 4 days. It had a unique bitter aroma with a hint of tea-like flavor, probably from the soba flour. The dough was not very sweet and had a slightly astringent taste. The red bean paste was also not too sweet, with some pieces of mochi inside. A subtle and sophisticated dorayaki for adults. It might be appealing to those who prefer less sweet treats, but as a big fan of sweet desserts, I might have made a slightly wrong choice. Overall, it was a unique experience. Enjoyed my meal!

Arrived on Tuesday morning around 11:30 am. Turned at the intersection in Takagi-cho and walked along a slightly shopping street-like area. No wait. Went inside the shop and bought the intriguing dorayaki soba for 280 yen. In order to eat in, I had to choose a tea and sweets set, so I opted for takeout and ate in a nearby park. The dorayaki was cold and incredibly delicious! It was a tasty Japanese confectionery that I could eat as many as I wanted. Thank you for the meal! I will definitely go again :)

◼️This long-established Japanese confectionery shop was founded in 1918. Their specialty is the "Anmitsu Yohkan," a dessert featuring a mix of red and white sweet bean paste, agar jelly, mochi, and chestnuts, all shining brightly.◆"Ichimai Nagashi Azabu Anmitsu Yohkan" Small [Specialty]: This dessert consists of yohkan with red bean paste made from high-quality beans from Tanba, topped with agar jelly, mochi, chestnuts, and sweet bean paste. It was created by the third generation of the family.◼️The shop accepts credit card payments and has a beautiful dining area after undergoing renovations.

I went to Azabu and visited Shougetsudo, a Japanese confectionery shop. They had a variety of traditional sweets for sale. Today, I bought some warabi mochi. I chilled it in the fridge at home before enjoying it. The smooth warabi mochi had sweet red bean paste inside, which paired perfectly together. The kinako powder sprinkled on top of the warabi mochi and the red bean paste also complemented each other well. I look forward to trying other Japanese sweets from there next time.

I bought the specialty of Mafu Shougetsudo, a single-serving anmitsu sheep cake, as a souvenir for my hometown visit. The expiration date is a little longer, 8 days. The large size (equivalent to two small ones) costs 2,484 yen, while the small size costs 1,296 yen. A carry-out bag costs 10 yen. It is recommended for 3-4 people, but since there are 3 chestnuts, dividing it among 3 people might be better. The anmitsu sheep cake is slightly soft and blends well with agar and gyuhi. It is delicious as it is, but the climax is when you open the lid. Highly recommended as a souvenir.

When I randomly stopped by, the shop seemed famous so I tried their recommended dorayaki. I was surprised to find mochi inside. The red bean paste was large and sweet. I couldn't really taste the buckwheat flavor, but I guess this is what dorayaki is like. I don't eat it often, so this experience was new to me! LOL

I visited "Azabu Shogetsudo," a long-established Japanese confectionery store located in Nishi-Azabu, where high-end and top-class stores line the streets. The store was established in 1918 and is accessible from Hiroo Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, just a 10-minute walk away. It is located on the first floor of "B.I.S Nishi-Azabu" off Roppongi Street. The bright and stylish interior features a pleasant eat-in space with a corner dedicated to tea utensils. The showcase displays a variety of wagashi, yokan, and baked sweets in a tasteful manner. The menu I tried today included: ・Ume Shizuku: A seasonal delicacy that melts in your mouth, showcasing the beauty and deliciousness of traditional Japanese confectionery. ・Kneaded Mochi: A refined sweet with a subtle sweetness and a chewy texture. ・Cold Matcha: Enjoying matcha with Japanese sweets enhances its smooth and exquisite flavor. I savored Japanese confectionery and matcha in this cosmopolitan corner of the city and look forward to visiting again. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

I finally purchased the Anmitsu Yokan that I had been curious about for a while! Last time I went, they happened to be closed for a few days. I climbed up the hill and finally made it there. They sell it at Shinjuku Takashimaya and Nihonbashi Takashimaya every Thursday. But I still wanted to go to the store and see everything! I confirmed that they were open the day before and set off! It was an unusually humid and hot day, but I made it up Ushizaka and turned left. I was sweating a lot, but I finally met the Anmitsu Yokan I had been longing for. Seeing it made my excitement level go up! The recipient will surely be very happy with its appearance. The price has gone up since I last saw it online, but 1296 yen is still reasonable. I measured it and it was 17x12cm in size, with a height of 2cm. The taste was refreshing, similar to Mizuyokan. It also had delicious chestnuts in it, and I am very satisfied. I have made a reservation to buy a lot of them as gifts for the next gathering!

I had been curious about this shop for a while. I decided to buy something while taking a walk. I was actually looking for the Sakura mochi, but they were sold out! Oh well, that's how it goes. When I arrived at the shop around 4:30, the Sakura mochi was already gone. So I bought a different kind of mochi and a strawberry daifuku instead. My friend got a chestnut yokan and another one whose name I don't know. When we got back, we tried them. The strawberry daifuku and the mochi were both delicious with a gentle sweetness. Even though my friend gave me a bite of theirs, I ended up eating all of mine right away. Sorry, but it was just too tasty. We didn't check on Tabelog or anything before going in, so I didn't know, but the shop has high ratings on Tabelog, and I can see why. I wonder if their anmitsu yokan is a specialty? I hesitated, but since I was too focused on the Sakura mochi, I didn't buy it this time. Next time, I'll try the anmitsu yokan too. Thank you for the delicious treats!

I had the Anmitsu sheep sweet at Mafu Shougetsudo. It contained mochi, agar, and chestnuts, giving it a unique taste. It was not too sweet, so it might be considered healthy. I think it would be a well-received gift if brought as a souvenir. Thank you for the meal.

I had some business in Hiroo and decided to stop by here on my way back. I purchased the Azabu Dorayaki Soba for 270 yen (tax included). It is a refrigerated dorayaki with mochi and adzuki bean paste made from Tanba Dainagon beans inside. The dough is made with soba flour without using wheat, so it feels a bit dry, which I believe is a characteristic of soba flour. The adzuki bean paste is not too sweet and very delicious. The chewy mochi is also tasty. Thank you for the meal.

It's a cool and refreshing yokan. I had the "Ichimai-ryu Anmitsu Yokan" from Azabu Shogeido. It has a beautiful visual with agar, chestnut, and two-colored mochi scattered in the yokan. The sweetness is mild, with a refined sweetness of red bean paste underneath the dough. The sweetness of the chestnut, red bean paste, and the texture of agar are all highlighted. It's a delicious sweetness that pleases both the eyes and the taste buds. I enjoyed it with a bitter tea on a hot summer night.

I went directly to the store to buy popular sweets from Azabu Shogeido for a gift. It's located between Hiroo and Nishi-Azabu, so the access by train isn't very convenient, but I went close enough. Each piece costs 1188 yen and they are so cute and sparkling! The sheep-shaped sweet bean paste cake has agar jelly, mochi, and candied chestnuts inside, and surprisingly, it's not too sweet. The expiration date is about 8 days, so it can last for a while, which explains why it's popular as a gift. I made a reservation on the same day in the morning because I was worried it might be sold out since it was a Saturday. When I went to pick it up in the evening, it was sold out at the store, so making a reservation was the right decision! The store has shortened hours until 5 pm, so I'm glad I checked beforehand. The staff were also very friendly. If I ever go near there again, I'll definitely buy some more! (*^^*)

At the meat shop Horikoshi, on my way to the parking lot after buying Horikoshi's meat bara chirashi, an old-looking Japanese sweets shop caught my eye. It seemed like there was no one inside, so I was a bit hesitant to go in, but I decided to give it a try. The showcase was filled with attractive Japanese sweets. The shop's specialty seemed to be the "Ichimai Nagashi Azabu Anmitsu Yōkan," which looked a bit too sweet and didn't seem very appetizing to me. However, I decided to buy it just to give it a try. As a backup, I also bought the definitely delicious strawberry daifuku and strawberry mochi. 1. Ichimai Nagashi Azabu Anmitsu Yōkan - 1188 yen 2. Strawberry Daifuku with white bean paste - 380 yen 3. Strawberry Mochi - 350 yen Personally, I'm not a big fan of Yōkan, but let's give it a try. *munch munch* Hmm?! It's surprisingly not too sweet. It's a bit more refreshing compared to regular Yōkan. The addition of mochi, chestnuts, and agar gives it a refreshing taste, maybe because of the agar. To put it simply, it's really delicious!! It's quite large, but if I don't hold back, I could probably finish it all by myself. I was surprised by how good it was. It turned out to be a great souvenir for myself. Although it's a souvenir, it's for me. *laughs*

I visited this place around 3:30 PM on a weekday and unfortunately, both the strawberry daifuku and dorayaki were sold out. So, I got a bean daifuku and it was delicious. The bean daifuku cost 270 yen and had a soft mochi with chewy beans. Despite being small, it had plenty of sweet bean paste inside. The sweetness was just right, allowing the flavors of the ingredients to shine. It was delicious. I would love to visit again if I have the chance.

I visited Shougatsudo in Azabu-Hiroo. Their anmitsu yokan is famous in the world of Japanese sweets. When you open the box, you'll see sparkling agar jelly, cowhide, and chestnuts, resembling stars in the night sky. Japanese sweets are deeply rooted in nature, seasons, and history. You can feel the craftsmanship of Japanese sweet artisans in Shougatsudo's sweets. The one-piece flow anmitsu yokan costs 1,188 yen. It's a single piece made by pouring anmitsu ingredients into a box and solidifying it with sweet bean paste and agar. You can scoop it with a wooden spatula or cut it as you like. The soft texture of the yokan and the rich taste of the red beans are delicious. It's a perfect souvenir that will be appreciated by families with children or as a tea snack. Thank you for the meal.