Nestled in a charming, old-town district of Sumida, Tokyo, Ichiya is a traditional Japanese confectionery shop just a four-minute walk from Hikifune Station on the Tobu Skytree Line. Tucked away along a narrow path beside the train tracks, it might be a little tricky to find on your first visit—but that only adds to the experience of discovery.
Inside, you’ll find a minimalist yet sophisticated space, with a clean white interior. Behind the counter, skilled artisans carefully craft each piece of wagashi.
Ichiya specializes in daifuku (soft rice cakes filled with sweet bean paste) and dorayaki (pancake-like confections with a red bean filling). The daifuku selection ranges from the classic plain variety to unique flavors like mame daifuku (with whole beans), black sesame daifuku, apricot daifuku, and walnut daifuku. Their seasonal strawberry daifuku is especially popular. In the summer, they also serve refreshing shaved ice.
As for dorayaki, you can enjoy options like the classic version with fluffy pancakes and mildly sweet tsubuan (chunky red bean paste), or the Shittori Kuri Dora, which features a moist cake with a whole chestnut inside.
One of Ichiya’s standout qualities is its commitment to premium ingredients. They use top-grade Shiga Habutae glutinous rice for the mochi and Oni Zara sugar, known for its refined sweetness, to create simple yet deeply flavorful treats.
Although Ichiya is already well-loved by locals, their signature daifuku often sells out by the evening. If you’re planning a visit, it’s best to go early—or even better, reserve in advance.
Why not immerse yourself in Tokyo’s nostalgic downtown atmosphere while savoring the craftsmanship of exquisite Japanese sweets?
