Japan’s subtly sweet desserts are a delight to explore. Whichever suburb of Tokyo you’re in, you’re sure to find a great selection of beautiful snacks to indulge in. No matter what your sweet tooth is craving, here are some prime locations to get your sugar rush!
Japanese Sweet Shops: PABLO
All items are tasty in the PABLO! Most of the PABLO menu are cheese stuff – cheese cakes, cheese tarts, cheese puddings, and even cheese drinks! The “rare cheesecake” is the most popular item. You can see long queues forming in front of all branches during rush hour. And I bet you will become one in the queue once you tried how creamy and delicious the cheesecakes are!
PABLO Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (Japanese) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Online Shop (Rakuten)
Estimated Price: Under ¥1,500 for a whole cheese tart, ¥200 – ¥250 for a mini tart
Sweet Paradise
An all-you-can-eat sweet shop chain in Japan that not only satisfies your sweet tooth, but also has lots of savoy food like pizzas, pasta and snacks! Want to eat as much desserts as you can, but worrying about the bill? Just come to the “sweet paradise” and eat!
Sweet Paradise Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (via Google Translate) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram
Estimated Price: All-you-can-eat for around ¥1500 – ¥2000
TULLY’S COFFEE
Being one of the best Japanese coffee shop chains, TULLY’S COFFEE is committed to the quality of their coffee and desserts. In order to make their customers satisfied, they spend a lot of time designing new sweets and making sure they will be a good fit to their coffee. If you want to spend a relaxing time in the afternoon, come to TULLY’S COFFEE!
TULLY’S COFFEE Information
Website ||| Facebook (via Google Translate) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram
Estimated Price: Under ¥500
HIGASHIYA (Ginza)
HIGASHIYA is all about traditional Japanese sweets and delicacies in an upscale setting. Though their restaurant (which serves traditional Japanese food in a 5-star setting) requires a reservation, their sweets counter is always available! If you want to try some beautiful and artistically crafted wagashi and anko (sweet bean paste) treats, then go to HIGASHIYA!
HIGASHIYA Information
Website ||| Facebook (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram ||| Online Shop (via Google Translate) *Overseas shipping is not available
Nearest Station: 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza-itchōme Station (Exit 6) or 5-minute walk from Ginza JR Station (Exit A13) (click on the Google Map for directions), POLA Ginza Building 2F
Hours of Operation:
[Shop] 11:00am – 07:00pm
[Sabo (Teahouse)] Tue-Sat: 11:00am – 10:00pm, Sun & Holidays: 11:00am – 07:00pm
*Both closed on Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a National Holiday)
Estimated Price: Under ¥3000
TAKANO FRUIT PARLOUR PafériO (Shinjuku)
Sumptuous parfaits are easy to find all over Tokyo, but TAKANO FRUIT PARLOUR PafériO sweets are based on a special seasonal menu. While you can enjoy a classic melon parfait, the seasonal offerings include only the freshest of fruits, the most intricate of assemblies, and hand-whipped cream. The desserts are what make this shop really shine!
TAKANO FRUIT PARLOUR PafériO Information
Website ||| Online Shop (via Google Translate) *Overseas shipping is not available
Nearest Station: 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (East Exit) (click on the Google Map for directions), B2F of Shinjuku Takano Building
Hours of Operation: Everyday 11:00am – 09:00pm
* Holidays: 1st January, the 3rd Monday in April and October
Estimated Price: Under ¥2000
Shiroikuro – しろいくろ (Azabujuban)
Though you can find dango and azuki-flavored treats anywhere in Tokyo, none are like the sweets available at Shiroikuro. This tiny shop only makes one batch of their Japanese-style sweets a day to ensure that they are super-fresh and delicious. Along with the quality of their desserts, they only use the blackest of beans and the whitest of mochi, hence the name Shiroikuro (white and black). The artistry and style of the shop only makes their treats all the sweeter!
Shiroikuro Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (via Google Translate) ||| Online Shop (Japanese) *Overseas shipping is not available
Nearest Station: 4-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Azabu Juban Station (Exit 4) (click on the Google Map for directions)
Hours of Operation: Everyday 11:00am – 08:00pm
Estimated Price: Under ¥1000
accueil (Ebisu)
Pancakes have been booming in Japan among young people! accueil is always one of the best 10 pancake shops in Japan. Pancakes here are not only fluffy, but they are also a little sweet because of the jelly added in the pancake mix. All pancakes of accueil look super good and are served with lots of whipped cream and colorful toppings. accueil also serves a salad pancake, which you can seldom find in other shops!
accueil Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (via Google Translate) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram
Nearest Station: 4-minute walk from Ebisu Station (West Exit) or 5-minute walk from Tokyu Daikan-yama Station (East Exit) (click on the Google Map for directions)
Hours of Operation: Everyday 11:00am – 11:00pm
*Holidays: Year-end and New Year
Estimated Price: Under ¥1500
100% Chocolate Cafe (Kyobashi)
A combination of chocolate shop and cafe where you can see items themed with chocolate everywhere! The menu consists of 100% chocolate and makes sure all of their customers can fully enjoy the happiness of eating chocolate. There are also 56 types of chocolate sold in the shop, which is made from different combinations of cacao beans, sweeteners, milk and other ingredients. If you are a fan of chocolate sweets, you should definitely give the 100% Chocolate Cafe Tokyo a try!
100% Chocolate Cafe Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (via Google Translate)
Nearest Station: 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Kyobashi Station (Exit 5) or 8-minute walk from Tokyo JR Station (Yaesu South Exit) (click on the Google Map for directions)
Hours of Operation: Weekdays 08:00am – 08:00pm, Sat-Sun-Holidays 11:00am – 07:00pm
Estimated Price: Under ¥1000
HIDEMI SUGINO (Kyobashi)
Being the highest-rated sweet shop in most restaurant review sites, HIDEMI SUGINO is a must-go sweet shop in Tokyo! Chef Hidemi Sugino won championships in the World Pastry Cup as well as other contests, and he was the first Asian to be allowed to enter the Relais Desserts (an association in France which is only for famous patissers). Everyone who eats the desserts here will highly recommend them!
HIDEMI SUGINO Information
Facebook (Japanese)
Nearest Station: 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Kyobashi Station (Exit 1) or Tokyo Metro Ginza-itchōme Station (Exit 7) or Toei Subway Takaracho Station (click on the Google Map for directions)
Hours of Operation: Tue to Sat 11:00am – 07:00pm (L.O. 17:30)
*Holidays: Sunday, Monday
Estimated Price: Under ¥3000
Marion Crepes – マリオンクレープ (Harajuku)
A trip to Harajuku’s Takeshita Street would not be complete without a sweet stop at Marion Crepes. This shop has been providing Harajuku with crepes since the 1970′s, and it shows! The variety and quality of their crepes makes choosing the most delicious one a difficult task. Go simple with strawberries and whipped cream, or extravagant with a crepe filled to the brim with ice cream, pudding, fruit, and a whole slice of cheesecake!
Marion Crepes Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (via Google Translate) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate)
Nearest Station: 4-minute walk from Harajuku JR Station (Takeshita Exit) (click on the Google Map for directions)
Hours of Operation: Weekdays 10:30am – 08:00pm, Sat-Sun-Holidays 10:00 – 08:00pm
Estimated Price: Under ¥1000
Chun Shui Tang – 春水堂 (Omotesando)
The bubble tea craze that is sweeping the world has reached Tokyo in the form of Chun Shui Tang. With its small but delicious menu and expertly trained tea brewers, your taste buds will thank you for the delicious combo of milk tea and tapioca pearls!
Chun Shui Tang Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Facebook (via Google Translate) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram
Nearest Station: 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station (Exit 6) or 6-minute walk from Harajuku JR Station (Omotesando Exit)
Hours of Operation: Everyday 11:00am – 09:00pm
Estimated Price: Around ¥500 for a bubble milk tea
Q-POT CAFE (Omotesando)
Pastel macaroons, cute cheesecakes, premium floral teas… Delicious sweets and drinks are all available here! Including an original limited Disney Collaboration, you may also bring cute Japanese candied-up accessories home from Q-POT CAFE!
Q-POT CAFE Information
Website ||| Facebook ||| Twitter ||| Instagram ||| Online Shop (From the USA warehouse)
Nearest Station: 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station (Exit 6) or 6-minute walk from Harajuku JR Station (Omotesando Exit)
Hours of Operation: 11:30am – 07:30pm
* Holidays: Year-end & New Year
Estimated Price: Around ¥2000 – ¥3000
TORAYA CAFÉ (Omotesando)
TORAYA CAFÉ originated in the wagashi shop “TORAYA,” which a 500-year history. By making anko sandwiches and bread with a perfect combination of Japanese and Western tastes, TORAYA CAFÉ is a prime location for a late-evening sit down snack with a friend!
TORAYA CAFÉ Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Online Shop (via Google Translate) *Overseas Shipping is not available
Nearest Station: 7-minute walk from Harajuku JR Station (Omotesando Exit) or 2-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Omotesando Station (Exit A2) (click on the Google Map for directions), Tokyo Omotesando Hills B1F
Hours of Operation: Mon to Sat 11:00am – 09:00pm, Sun 11:00am – 08:00pm (Close at 09:00pm if Sunday is a holiday/day before holiday, close at 08:00pm if Sunday is the last day of consecutive holidays)
Estimated Price: Under ¥2000
RAINBOW PANCAKE (Omotesando)
With a recognizable logo of a pancake in rainbow color, RAINBOW PANCAKE serves colorful Hawaiian pancakes with different delicious tastes like strawberries, tiramisu, and sweet potatoes. There are also pancakes that you can eat as a main dish, like bacon, cheese sauce, or salmon. WARNING – RAINBOW PANCAKE is so popular that you will probably spend time waiting in the queue!
RAINBOW PANCAKE Information
Website (Japanese) ||| Facebook (via Google Translate) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Official Blog (via Google Translate)
Nearest Station: 3-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station (Exit 5) or 5-minute walk from Harajuku JR Station (Takeshita Exit) (click on the Google Map for directions), ARES GARDEN OMOTESANDO 2F
Hours of Operation: 10:00am – 06:00pm
*Holidays: Tuesday
Estimated Price: Under ¥1500
ICE MONSTER (Omotesando)
A shaved ice shop from Taiwan! Different from the Japanese shaved ice – unflavored ice served with syrup – the Taiwanese version is made with different flavored ice blocks and heaped with fruits or ice cream. The ICE MONSTER is so popular because of the mountains of shaved ice (especially the mango flavor) and the variety of delicious side menu items such as tapioca, black sugar jelly and tofu pudding.
ICE MONSTER Information
Website ||| Facebook (via Google Translate) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate)
Nearest Station: 1-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station (Exit 4) or 5-minute walk from Harajuku JR Station (Omotesando Exit) or 7-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Omotesando Station (Exit A1) (click on the Google Map for directions)
Hours of Operation: Everyday 11:00am – 09:00pm *Winter (Until the end of February): Everyday 11:00am – 07:00pm
Estimated Price: Under ¥1500
A HAPPY PANCAKE – 幸せのパンケーキ (Omotesando)
Another top pancake shop! A HAPPY PANCAKE is one of the most popular pancake shops in Japan and has branches around the country. Pancakes here are super fluffy and feel like they are melting in your mouth and makes you “happy (幸せ)”. The whipped butter and caramel sauce are tasty too. They have been introduced on TV and in magazines many times. Believe it or not – people wait in the queue for up to 4 hours!
A HAPPY PANCAKE Information
Website (via Google Translate) ||| Twitter (via Google Translate) ||| Instagram
Nearest Station: 2-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Omotesando Station (Exit A2) or 10-minute walk from Harajuku JR Station (Omotesando Exit) (click on the Google Map for directions), Kiyohara Building B1F
Hours of Operation: Everyday 09:00am – 07:30pm
Estimated Price: Under ¥1500
So you can see there are uncountable sweet shops waiting for you in Tokyo, and they are all fantastic! Why not going into any one of them and enjoy your dessert time? You definitely won’t be disappointed about Japanese sweets!
