Hyperlocal Tokyo

Located in the Gransta basement level 1, within the ticket gates of JR Tokyo Station, this shop is situated along a wide corridor lined with takeout specialists and souvenir shops. They offer a wide variety of options, from classic black sugar karinto to unique flavors rarely found elsewhere, making it hard to choose. I ended up purchasing a set of three bags. I enjoyed them at home. The exterior was crispy, while the inside had a pleasant firmness that melted in my mouth. All three flavors were distinct, but the kinpira gobo stood out with its perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness, leaving me wanting more. While a bit pricey, the stylish packaging makes it a great option for souvenirs. Thank you for the delicious treat.

Established in 2007 (Heisei 19), "Nihonbashi Kinpurin Karinto Specialty Store" is a karinto specialty store located in a corner of the basement level of Tokyo Station's Gransta. This store is produced by Marui Suzuki Co., Ltd., an established wholesale dealer founded in 1895 (Meiji 25). I visited on a weekday at 4:30 PM. I was overwhelmed by the wide variety of karinto, but I chose and purchased the following flavors! * Roasted Corn * Plum and Perilla * Wasabi ◾️Roasted Corn This delicious treat evokes the taste of roasted corn! The sweetness of the corn and the savory aroma of soy sauce are irresistible. I could eat it forever. ◾️Plum and Perilla It truly tastes like plum and perilla! It's sweet and sour, just as it looks. It's a perfect karinto for summer, wouldn't you say? ◾️Wasabi This karinto has a strong wasabi flavor without being too spicy. The sharp spiciness of the wasabi is addictive. I think those who like it will love it! When you think of karinto, you usually think of the simple sweetness of brown sugar, but I think this karinto is closer to a rice cracker. It's thin and easy to eat, and there are so many different flavors. Personally, I love this karinto.

I visited this specialty shop for takeout on a weekend evening. They are known for their modern-style "karinto" (a type of Japanese fried dough), which are popular as souvenirs. While "karinto" is typically associated with brown sugar, this shop offers a wide variety of unique flavors, including purple sweet potato, "mitarashi" (a sweet soy sauce glaze), vegetables, and Japanese-style broth. This time, I purchased their most popular "kinpira gobo" (380 yen), which is a "karinto" flavored with stir-fried burdock root. The burdock root flavor was stronger than I expected, and the spicy chili pepper seasoning was addictive. It paired perfectly with whiskey, making for a wonderful end to my dinner.

My son gave me some sweet potato and burdock root flavored "karinto" (a type of Japanese fried dough), and I heard there were other flavors available at Gransta in Tokyo Station, so I went to check it out! ✨ I've only ever had the traditional kind of "karinto" before, but they had flavors like chili pepper and sansho pepper, Japanese dashi broth, and even limited-edition flavors. There were so many options, I had a hard time deciding what to buy, but I ended up getting the chili pepper and sansho pepper flavor, which I'd never tried before, and the cinnamon raisin flavor, which is exclusive to Tokyo Station. The vegetables were colorful, and the Japanese dashi broth flavor also caught my eye. The new flavors were delicious, with a nice crispy texture. ✨ I thought it would be a great souvenir to bring back home when I visit my family.

This shop is located inside the ticket gate, so it's recommended to stop by on your way to catch the train. I've been here many times, but this was my first visit in a while to buy some souvenirs. I purchased the Salt Tomato for 390 yen. This limited-time offering is said to highlight the mellow sweetness and acidity of the tomato with a perfect touch of salt. I bought it thinking it would be a good snack for drinks, and it has a well-balanced flavor. They have a wide variety of products, making it a great place to buy souvenirs.