Welcome to TOKYO BEAT - a special series by your trusty Tokyo Tourism Representative (New York Office) that aims to provide you with story ideas and inspiration. To coincide with the New York Times Travel Show (Jan 24 – 26), as well as this year’s dessert theme at the City of Tokyo / TCVB booth (#132), we are pleased to introduce a couple of not-to-miss confectionary stores that are among the local favorites and are set to make an international splash in 2020.
Special Souvenirs This year, the City of Tokyo has designated certain shops, ranging from crafts to fashion and foods, as part of its essential Tokyo Omiyage Project –Tokyo Souvenir– list. Two dessert shops made the cut for its incomparable sweets, the first of which is Daikokudou Main Shop. For over 30 years, they have been making a traditional sweet senbei – a delicate egg, flour and sugar-based cracker, which is reminiscent of a biscuit or cookie in flavor. The shop’s Kabuki Kyogen Senbei is one of the best examples of this style, balancing a perfect crunch with a subtly sweet flavor that pairs well with everything from an floral cup of tea to a creamy glass of milk. Daikokudou is located in the lobby of the famed Kabuki-za theatre, which also makes it a must-visit. Ask Tokyoites about what dessert is quintessentially Japanese however, and you may continually hear the word dorayaki. These pancake like-patties folded over a sweet red bean paste are a sensational combination of fluffy, creamy, sweet. Kobikicho Yoshiya, located in Ginza, is considered to be one of the best places to get these, as it has specialized in dorayaki since 1922; to this day the store still follows the traditional method of making them by hand, one at a time, while using high-quality red beans from Hokkaido. As part of being official souvenirs, senbei are imprinted with patterns representing another time-honored art – Kabuki – as well as the “Tokyo Tokyo” logo, while dorayaki are imprinted with the “Tokyo Tokyo” logo.
Old & New Must Visit Shops There are many more distinguished dessert shops – ranging from the classic and traditional to the en vogue and innovative – that have made it onto the City of Tokyo’s Tokyo Dessert Map. Focused on some of the most food-centric neighborhoods in Tokyo, this primer introduces a wide range of traditional and innovative desserts, shops that have delighted Tokyoites for generations, as well as new stores that are push the envelope in terms of creativity. Instagram-famous ice cream shops like the super kawaii Eddie’s Ice Cream and the gigantic cotton candy creations from Totti Candy in Harajuku are here, as are historical gems like the over century-old Shiseido Parlour and the elegant green tea centric creations at Jugetsudo in Ginza. The classic treats that one can find in Asakusa are also well represented, from the melon bread in Asakusa Kagetsudo to the kibidango (mochi dumpling skewers) at Asakusa Kibidango Azuma, which you may never have heard of, but will quickly become a favorite thanks to its soft texture, nutty flavor, and warming sensation. Many other items, like soft serve ice cream, parfaits and cakes may be familiar at first sight, but trust the list – these standouts will expand one’s mind and palate like never before.
Win at the New York Times Travel Show The City of Tokyo is proud to be participating at the New York Times Travel Show after a stellar turnout last year, and has this year has composed a theme revolving around the city’s many delicious sweets. The Dessert Map is only one of the booth’s showpieces; visitors to the booth will also receive a sample of Taiyaki Ice Cream – soft serve in a fish shaped waffle cone – get a chance to watch a live ice sculpture performance on the show’s main stage, as well as enter a lottery to win a free round trip ticket to Tokyo!
For more information on Tokyo’s vibrant dessert culture, contact press@tokyo-nyc.com or call 917-200-4887. For general information on traveling in Tokyo, head to TokyoTokyo.jp and Gotokyo.org/en/
To visit the archives, visit: www.japansolutionusa.com/tokyobeat
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