I reserved and purchased the annual New Year's gifts as usual. The pastry shop has started special production for the Bûche de Noël to be used on December 24th, so the variety of products available for sale is limited, and early reservation is necessary for items that are in high demand. The purchased items include Florentins (10 pieces for 2,808 yen including tax) x 10 boxes, Choux Cream (6 pieces for 324 yen including tax), and Chocolate Soufflé (2 pieces for 324 yen including tax). When it comes to pastries, baked goods are essential. Biscuits, cookies, sponges, Amaretti, Macarons, etc., may seem like minor players, but they are the foundation of pastries and play a crucial role in enhancing the deliciousness when turned into fresh cakes. Don't be misled by the visual appeal and the sweetness of cream, fruits, and nuts. Baked goods are the basis of pastries.

Barry Ogawaken is known for its original Raisin Witch, which I love, but their fruit pies made with seasonal fruits are also delicious. The star fruit of the season is strawberries, but unfortunately, the strawberry pie was sold out when I visited. So, I ended up buying the chestnut pie, which was my second choice. The chestnut pie (¥500) has a shelf life of 3 days. It's a baked treat where chestnuts with skins are wrapped in pie dough, allowing you to enjoy the true flavor of chestnuts. It's a small-sized pastry, about one size smaller than a woman's fist, wrapped in a cute package with the Ogawaken logo. When you cut into it, you feel a crisp sensation. The pie has a fragrant, crispy texture, and the chestnuts provide a subtly sweet, rustic flavor. It's simple and delicious, and goes well with tea. The strawberry shortcake (¥600) is a classic shortcake that is faithful to the basics. It has more cream than sponge, and the strawberries inside are large and very sweet. It's a straightforward shortcake from a traditional Western confectionery shop. Although this review is a bit late, the mango pie and Pione shortcake I had in the summer were also meticulously made and truly delicious. The fruits were fresh and juicy. The pie had plenty of custard, and the rich texture of the pie crust did not overshadow the presence of the mango.

Raisin and walnut cookies, 5 pieces for 625 yen. I reserved them and went to pick them up. I used to have delicious cookies as gifts before, but I hadn't had them in a few years. I suddenly felt like eating them, so I made a reservation online and bought them at the store. Even though there were only 5 pieces, they came in a pretty decent box. When I removed the plastic wrapping, I found cookies with a nice brown color and sliced almonds on top. They have raisins in them and the dough is crispy and delicious. I ended up eating a second one right away.

Two of us went to Meguro to celebrate Father's Day. We bought Masumoto bento from Mitsukoshi and cake from Senbikiya. We played board games and had a lot of conversations. On our way back, we received cookies from Ogawaken as souvenirs. It's a choice of three items from acquaintances. We will enjoy them tomorrow.

It is a very delicious Western-style restaurant in Ochanomizu. I bought a raisin sandwich at that Meguro shop. The raisin sandwich is a long-selling item and a classic product. The moist texture, the combination of raisins and cream inside, is excellent and very delicious. It is a great delicacy that you would want to enjoy with coffee during coffee time.

The Raisin Witch is so famous that you wouldn't believe there are people who don't know about it. Their baked goods are all delicious, without a doubt. It's a shame if you only know about the Raisin Witch. This time, I selected tea time cookies, leaf pie, floatantang, lemon pound, and more. The cookies are crispy and crumbly, making you want to eat another one after just one. The leaf pie is firm and satisfying with a good volume. The baked goods from Paris Ogawa-ken teach us what delicious baked goods should be like. It doesn't matter about appearance, trendiness, or healthiness. It's a familiar and luxurious treat that anyone can enjoy. The Raisin Witch orders kept coming in non-stop while I was paying. It's consistently popular. They also sell fresh cakes. I want to try their cakes next time. The nearest stations are almost non-existent, but Meguro or Gakugeidaigaku might be the closest. It might be better to use a bus.

I like cookies that are crispy with plenty of raisins, and I enjoy eating them with a not too heavy cream after chilling. I like raisin sandwiches and have been trying various kinds, but personally I think this type of cookie stands out. The cakes also looked delicious, so I tried the strawberry pie. The strawberries were sweet, the pie was crispy, and the custard was comforting in a nostalgic way. It was delicious.

It has been about 5 years since I last visited Ogawaken on Meguro Street. On this day, the parking lot was full and there was a line of customers inside, showing the usual bustling atmosphere. It was crowded, so I waited outside for about 5 minutes. Just as an elderly couple came out of the store, I entered. Both of them had nice smiles! Delicious sweets definitely make people happy! I spotted "taiyaki pies" on the bottom shelf of the showcase, so lucky me! However, as my turn approached, I saw a sign saying "We accept reservations" - so I couldn't get the taiyaki pies this time. But that's okay, as last time, the leftovers brought me luck. Ogawaken's cakes are not visually stunning, but rather have a classic lineup. I decided to go with the Marjolaine (¥432) with cute chocolate dots. Everyone in front of me was ordering the reserved raisin witch cake. Ogawaken was founded in 1905 by the first generation, Ogawa Tetsugoro, and has maintained its traditional style. The cookies assortment (¥1728) I bought included almond slices, hazelnut cookies, leaf pie, cheese cookies, and coconut cookies with caramelized almonds. The Marjolaine was a creamy treat with layers of meringue, vanilla cream, praline cream, and ganache, subtly scented with almonds. Although the service this time was not as exceptional as before, the careful wrapping without extra charges showed the pride and history of Ogawaken.

I visited Ogawaken in Meguro based on a friend's recommendation for their Raisin Witch. It's recommended to make a reservation in advance as it's a popular item. The combination of rum raisins and buttercream is classic and delicious. The cream is not too rich, making you want to keep eating more.

Visited during the day, located near Gakugei-daigaku Station. A bit of a walk. Located along Meguro Street, with a stylish cafe-like appearance. There is a factory on the premises. - Average customer service - Dish: Raisin sandwich, 1100 yen (excluding tax). The crust is crispy, and the inside has rum raisins and cream. Delicious. - Overall: The cost-effectiveness of getting 10 pieces at this price is high. I like the crispy texture. They also sell shortcake, but it's always sold out, which I find strange considering there's a factory next door.

My favorite raisin sandwich is this one from Parigawa. I really love it. Even if you're not a fan of raisin sandwiches, I hope you try this one because you'll probably end up liking it. I wasn't a fan of raisin sandwiches until I tried Marusei's butter sandwich and became obsessed. Among all the ones I've tried, this one and Marusei are my favorites. The crunchy, firm cookie is delicious, not too sweet or heavy. The buttercream is generously spread, and the raisins are plump and not overly chewy like dried fruits can sometimes be. It's incredibly delicious.

I found Raisin Witch from Ogawaken at the supermarket I usually go to and couldn't resist picking it up. It said it's limited to 10 boxes on weekends, but there were 9 left on Sunday afternoon. Our family enjoys this snack, so it was gone just a little past the expiration date. I hope they continue to sell it at the supermarket, but if sales are not good, they might not have it anymore.

"Chacha" Hojicha jelly and matcha mousse with red bean jelly at the bottom. As you go lower, it gets sweeter, but overall the sweetness is mild. The hojicha jelly doesn't have much sweetness, but the roasted tea flavor is just right. The matcha mousse has a perfect balance of tea flavor and smooth mousse texture. Personally, I prefer a stronger taste of hojicha and matcha, but this dessert had a gentle and delicate taste typical of Ogawaken, and it was delicious. The cream puff is a classic and delicious. I remember it being more rich and sweet with custard, but maybe it's because it's summer? The choux pastry was slightly chewy and tasty.

I made a reservation online for the popular "Raisin Witch" at Ogawa Ken and went to pick it up. [Reservation method] Reservations can be made on the Ogawa Ken official website (https://ogawaken.co.jp/) under "WEB Reservation". You can choose either the Shinbashi store or the Meguro store for pick-up when making a reservation. [Directions] 11 minutes' walk from the East exit of Gakugeidaigaku Station. [Impressions] I went at 10 am, but there were already 6 or 7 customers inside, and more kept coming in. According to a notice, "Customers with reservations are also waiting in line," so having a reservation doesn't mean you get to pay first. The cookie dough is very crispy and has a good texture, but it crumbles a bit when you eat it. The raisins are large and plump. The butter flavor is subtle, but the aroma of rum is very nice!

Today I visited the area around Gakugeidaigaku and Tachikawa University. This is the fourth place I've visited so far. I've been to Ogawaken a few times, in Daikanyama, Awajicho, and Shinbashi. Ogawaken is a well-known place for dessert lovers. Despite having the same name, each Ogawaken store is independent and not part of a chain. The founder's children or relatives have each opened their own stores under the same name, with different recipes for their signature "Raisin Witch" pastry. The Meguro branch is considered a branch of the Shinbashi store. It's a bit far from Gakugeidaigaku Station, but worth the visit. The stores are not very big, with a showcase of pastries and about 10 types of cakes, mostly classic-style. I bought the Raisin Witch for takeout and enjoyed a cake in the salon. The salon is spacious and elegant, attracting mostly mature ladies. I tried the Mocha Walnut Roll Cake, Strawberry Pie, and Raisin Witch. The roll cake had a slightly bitter taste, with a nice balance of cream and walnuts. The Strawberry Pie had a vibrant color and a delicate balance of sweetness and tartness. The Raisin Witch was crispy with a light cream and raisin filling. Overall, the experience at the salon was relaxing and the prices were reasonable.

I made a reservation for the smallest whole cake. It cost 2,200 yen plus tax and came in a nice box. The bottom of the cake was made of sablé dough. It truly felt like a cake from Ogawaken. The classic strawberry shortcake made me feel very happy.

There is a bakery along Meguro Street. I bought a raisin sandwich and cake. The raisin sandwich had a perfect balance of cream and raisins. I also bought a strawberry shortcake, cream puff, chestnut cake, and roll cake. They are simple but delicious.

I usually go to Ogawaken in Shinbashi, but today I stopped by a shop on Meguro Street due to some errands. The place was packed with customers. It took about 10 minutes to make a purchase. I got a Raisin Witch. It seems to be freshly made. It's crispy. The combination of raisins and cream is basic but still delicious as always. I also bought a cream puff that caught my eye. It has a refined custard cream. The taste is standard and not flashy at all. Both are classic sweets. That's why you never get tired of them.

After visiting the "Bigiya" near Gakushuin University Station, I was excited to explore an area I don't usually frequent. Given the current situation, I went to the Meguro post office to send my partner's PCR test kit. Nearby, I stumbled upon a perfect shop for souvenirs. When it comes to Raisin Witch, the famous confectionery shop from Hokkaido called "Rokkatei" developed their Marseille Butter Sand with inspiration from the Raisin Witch of Ogawa-ken in Daikanyama. As a Hokkaido resident, I felt it was a must-try. The shop had a classic Western confectionery feel, offering cakes and baked goods, but I was there for the Raisin Witch. They were neatly packaged in boxes on the counter. The Raisin Witch is a cookie with a generous amount of raisins and cream, made with natural vanilla. It has a crispy cookie exterior, unlike the moist sablé of the Marseille Butter Sand, and comes with almond slices. The dough tends to crumble easily. The raisins take the spotlight, and the richness of butter is less pronounced compared to the Marseille Butter Sand. Shortening is used in the filling, giving it a light texture. Although I usually avoid trans fats and shortening, I found this to be an exception. Understanding the roots of the Marseille Butter Sand made me appreciate its deliciousness even more.