Hyperlocal Tokyo

This wagashi shop is located a short walk from Omotesando Station. I had assumed it would be an old-fashioned storefront, given its establishment in 1910, but it turned out to be a newly built, stylish building, so I almost walked right past it. The black bean sugar-coated sweets were delicious.

I heard about this place on the radio and decided to visit. They were known for their sakura mochi, but it wasn't the season, so I stopped by to look for a gift for a friend. When the elevator opened, I was immediately inside the shop. It was a small space, and I was the only customer, so I felt a little nervous as I asked for recommendations. I ended up buying a traditional mochi. I thought it might be too big, but the smooth, sweet, and light koshian filling was delicious, and I ate it all in one go. My friend loved it too. I wanted something that would last, so I chose the mochi, but I'd also like to try their nerikiri (which is only available on the day) and mizu yokan (it comes in a square box and you cut it yourself. Individually wrapped ones should last a bit longer) sometime during the summer.

Located on the top floor of a building in Omotesando, the elevator opens to reveal a space reminiscent of a traditional tea room. A refined woman in a kimono greets you. The sweets are likely intended for use in a tea ceremony. I purchased "Goshoguruma" and "Haru no Yama" (¥500 each). "Goshoguruma" is a beautiful confection with layers of yokan, matcha bean paste, and agar, adorned with delicate flower petals and wheel designs. "Haru no Yama" features a crumble-textured kinton (sweet potato paste) filled with smooth koshian (red bean paste). The exquisite craftsmanship, showcasing the beauty of Japanese aesthetics in confectionery, was a delight to behold. The flavors were, of course, exceptional.

Traditional Japanese sweets with exquisite designs! Located an 8-minute walk from Omotesando Station, "Wagashi-dokoro Kikuya" is a renowned wagashi and sweets shop, listed among the top 100 in Japan. It's situated on the 9th floor of a building, not on street level. I arrived just after 11 am on a Saturday and there was no wait. I was able to enter right away. I purchased the "Nadeshiko" (550 yen) and "Kise Nishiki" (550 yen). These beautiful Nerikiri sweets are reminiscent of Kyoto's "Usuguri"! Their official website states: "We make all our sweets by hand, carefully crafting them to reflect the changing seasons. We strive to create delicious treats that blend tradition with beautiful designs and modern flavors." Both the "Nadeshiko" and "Kise Nishiki" were delicious, with smooth bean paste and dough. The beauty of these sweets made the entire experience enjoyable, from start to finish.

【Visited on September 12, 2023】 This was my first visit to Kikuya, a traditional Japanese confectionery shop located on Omotesando. Established in 1935, it's a long-standing confectionery store. You can feel its history just by looking at the signboard inside the shop. The shop is currently located on the 9th floor of a building, but it must have been a street-level store in the past. This shop was selected as one of the "Tabelog 100 Best Japanese Confectionery and Sweet Shops" in 2023. At first, I was going to buy some sweets that would last, but when I looked at the display case, I was captivated by the beautiful fresh sweets. I decided to choose something seasonal, and I went with "Hagi no Tsuyu." It's a beautifully colored confection with shades of blue, yellow, green, and brown. It has a topping of yokan (sweet bean jelly). The sweetness was just right, and it was a Japanese confection that made me want to enjoy it with green tea.