Usagiya Japanese Sweet Shop & Cafe: Famous for One of the Top Three "Dorayaki" in Tokyo
Ueno is a popular neighborhood in Tokyo's Taito Ward, known for its zoo, museums, lush parks, and the bustling underpass bar streets. Its convenient location close to the city center and nearby Asakusa makes it a great spot to visit. Ueno Station also serves the Shinkansen, making it an ideal hub for tourists.
Some of the area's top attractions include Ueno Zoo, the National Museum, and the Ameyoko shopping street, which are always buzzing with both locals and tourists. Additionally, Ueno is known for its retro "shitamachi" (old town) atmosphere, adding to its charm. The area is also home to several cafes and sweet shops where you can indulge in traditional Japanese sweets called wagashi.
Among these, Usagiya stands out as a famous dorayaki shop, known for its status as one of the top three dorayaki in Tokyo. In this article, we’ll introduce the appeal of Usagiya, a long-standing establishment loved for over 110 years!
Usagiya: A Long-Standing Wagashi Shop Founded in 1913
Usagiya, founded in 1913, is a well-known wagashi shop in Tokyo. Located in Ueno-Shi-Kuromoncho, a historical district that once thrived as the town surrounding Kaneiji Temple, the shop has been offering carefully crafted traditional Japanese sweets made with the finest ingredients. Its popularity has endured across generations, making it a beloved spot for over a century.
Among their many offerings, the freshly made dorayaki and the Kisaku Monaka, named after the founder, are the most famous. Nearby, you can also visit Usagiya Cafe, which offers a fusion of Japanese and Western flavors, making it easy to enjoy the delightful taste of Usagiya in a more casual setting.
What is Wagashi?
Wagashi refers to traditional Japanese sweets made primarily from plant-based ingredients like rice and beans. They are known for their subtle sweetness.
Many wagashi feature anko (sweet red bean paste), such as dorayaki (two pancake-like discs filled with anko), monaka (thin, crispy rice cakes filled with anko), and daifuku (rice cake stuffed with anko). Other types include senbei, crispy rice crackers often made from kneaded rice or wheat flour.
Wagashi also play an important role in Japanese culture, especially in tea ceremonies where they are paired with matcha. Many are designed to reflect the seasons, featuring motifs of flowers, animals, or natural elements. This seasonal aspect makes wagashi a feast not only for the taste buds but for the eyes as well, and they are often enjoyed with green tea.
Usagiya’s Dorayaki: One of Tokyo’s Top Three Dorayaki
Source: Official website
The signature item of this 110-year-old shop is their dorayaki. Along with Kuromatsu Honpo Sogetsu and Kameju, Usagiya’s dorayaki is famous as one of the top three in Tokyo.
Made with high-quality ingredients and refined techniques honed over generations, Usagiya’s dorayaki is not only delicious but also reasonably priced, making it popular with a wide range of customers. Stuffed with plenty of anko, these dorayaki are so beloved that the shop produces 5,000 to 6,000 a day. Be sure to experience this crowd-pleaser during your visit!
Smooth Anko Made from Hokkaido Tokachi Azuki Beans
Source:Kawashimaya
One of the reasons Usagiya’s dorayaki is so delicious lies in their meticulous preparation of tsubuan (chunky red bean paste). The beans are cooked carefully to ensure they don’t lose their shape, and the sweetness is balanced to perfection.
Usagiya uses azuki beans from Hokkaido’s famous Tokachi region. Preparations for cooking the beans begin a day in advance, and the process of boiling them is carefully monitored to maintain the right temperature and cooking time. The anko, lovingly crafted by skilled artisans, boasts a subtle sweetness, a smooth texture, and an ideal bean consistency, resulting in a heavenly flavor.
Fluffy Cake with a Castella-Like Sweetness
Source:Tabelog
The fluffy, castella-like pancakes that sandwich the anko are equally impressive. They have a beautiful golden-brown color, pleasing not only to the palate but also to the eye. The batter, a blend of soft and hard flours, is cooked using a special dorayaki machine developed in collaboration with a machine manufacturer under the guidance of the third-generation owner. The machine applies heat from both sides, ensuring the batter forms neat vertical bubbles for an airy, soft texture unique to Usagiya’s dorayaki.
The pancakes are lightly sweetened with honey made from renge flowers, perfectly complementing the anko filling. The combination of this delicate pancake and the rich red bean paste creates an unforgettable dorayaki experience that draws visitors from far and wide.
More Than Just Dorayaki! Three Must-Try Japanese Sweets to Bring Home from Usagiya
Kisaku Monaka
Source: Official website
The "Kisaku Monaka," bearing the stamp of the founder, is a signature item that represents the essence of Usagiya.
Kisaku Monaka is a delightful Japanese sweet consisting of a thin, toasted rice flour wafer filled with sweet bean paste. The bean paste used is "koshi-an," which has a much smoother texture compared to "tsubu-an," and it's enhanced with candied adzuki beans. The crispy wafer combined with the sweetness of the bean paste and the texture of the adzuki beans creates an elegant and refined flavor.
This monaka was also beloved by the famous Japanese author Ryunosuke Akutagawa. If you're a fan of Japanese literature, you absolutely must give this monaka a try!
Usagi Manju
Source: Official website
The charming Usagi Manju is a treat that delights all the senses. The thin outer layer is made with Japanese yam, offering a gentle fragrance and chewy texture. Inside, the smooth and lightly sweet koshi-an bean paste pairs perfectly with the soft outer layer.
The cute design, featuring a rabbit with red eyes and ears stamped onto the white skin, has been gaining rapid popularity. With its delicate sweetness and adorable look, this is the kind of Japanese confection that will bring a smile to your face—and it's perfect for social media photos!
I predict that Usagi Manju will become the next signature item at Usagiya! Be sure to pick one up when you visit.
Kisaku Yokan
Source: Official website
Yokan is a traditional Japanese sweet made by mixing azuki bean paste with agar and letting it set. It comes in a variety of textures, such as the firmer "neri" with a higher sugar content, and the softer "ogura."
One of Usagiya's signature products is the "Kisaku Yokan," named after the shop's founder. It comes in three varieties: the refined "neri" that pairs well with strong tea, the soft "ogura" with a noticeable presence of azuki beans, and the "matcha" that goes perfectly with green tea.
With a long shelf life of 90 days, the Kisaku Yokan is an ideal souvenir, offering a delicate balance of agar and sweetness that captures the essence of traditional Japanese flavors.
Usagiya Also Has a Café! Three Delicious Sweets You Can Enjoy at Usagiya Café
Usa Kori
Source: Tabelog
Usagiya's signature shaved ice, "Usa Kori," is a must-try! As you dig through the fluffy white shaved ice, a hidden layer of sweet bean paste is revealed—making this a unique item exclusive to this café. The ice is made from pure, smooth Hawaiian water, combined with Usagiya's famous dorayaki bean paste and honey, which is also used in the dorayaki skin.
You can indulge in the light texture of the ice paired with the satisfying feel of azuki beans. The deliciousness of the bean paste, a hallmark of Usagiya, can only be experienced here.
For those who enjoy a more sophisticated treat, there’s also "Sake Usa Kori," a version served with a light drizzle of sake. The mild sweetness of the sake enhances the flavor of the bean paste, making it the perfect shaved ice for adults. If you love sake, this is definitely worth a try.
Usa Anmitsu
Source: Tabelog
Usa Anmitsu is a delightful dish featuring soft agar jelly served with Usagiya's dorayaki bean paste and honey. Anmitsu is a classic Japanese café dessert, typically served with agar jelly, fruit, sweet beans, and a drizzle of black sugar syrup. However, Usagiya’s version stands out with its simplicity, using only agar jelly, peas, their signature bean paste, and honey.
The carefully selected ingredients pair beautifully with the bean paste, creating an exquisite balance of flavors and textures. This unique sweetness and texture are thanks to the craftsmanship behind Usagiya’s famous "tsubu-an" (chunky red bean paste). Enjoy the perfect harmony of light sweetness, smooth texture, and the rich flavor of azuki beans.
Usa An Milk
Source: Tabelog
"Usa An Milk" is a unique dessert drink that allows you to enjoy Usagiya's renowned dorayaki bean paste in beverage form. The milk used in this drink is sourced from a dairy farm in Monbetsu, Hokkaido, famous for its fresh, high-quality ingredients. The rich flavor of Hokkaido milk, produced in vast pastures by farmers dedicated to organic farming, enhances the appeal of the bean paste in this drink.
The bean paste at the bottom of the glass combines with the fresh milk, creating a new and exciting dessert experience. This drink, filled with comforting sweetness, is perfect for relaxing and enjoying a moment of calm.
Usagiya Access & Basic Information
Usagiya
Address: 1-10-10 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access:
- Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Ueno-Hirokoji Station
- Chiyoda Line, Yushima Station
- Toei Oedo Line, Ueno-Okachimachi Station (4-minute walk)
Business Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone: 03-3831-6195
Official Website: http://www.ueno-usagiya.jp/index.htm
Usagiya Café
Address: 1st floor, 1-17-5 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access:
- 5-minute walk from JR Okachimachi Station
- 2-minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Ueno-Hirokoji Station
- 3-minute walk from Chiyoda Line, Yushima Station
Business Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed: Wednesdays
Phone: 03-6240-1561
Official Website: http://usagiya-cafe.com/
Must-Visit Historic Cafés in Ueno: "Oujou" and "Kojo"
"Kojo" – A Café with Lavish Décor and a Magical Atmosphere
Source: Tabelog
Ueno is the birthplace of Japan’s traditional cafés, known as "kissaten," which are famous for their carefully brewed coffee and rich selections of light meals and desserts. Among the most famous is "Kojo," a café established in 1963, known for its retro atmosphere.
The interior is lavish, reminiscent of a grand castle, and even after over 60 years, it retains its shine and charm. The café also offers shelves full of books and manga for customers to enjoy, making it a perfect escape into a nostalgic, otherworldly space in the heart of the city.
One of the café’s most popular items since its founding is the mix sandwich set, which includes ham, egg, and vegetable sandwiches. The café also offers a variety of desserts like parfaits. Enjoy the retro vibe and indulge in delicious café classics here.
"Oujou" – A Cozy Space to Enjoy Coffee and Food in a "Showa Retro" Setting
Source: Official Facebook
"Oujou" is a popular café that has been operating in Ueno's Ameyoko for over 50 years. Before the era of cell phones, it was a popular meeting spot and remains a beloved café for both locals and visitors from afar.
The café's décor, reminiscent of a European castle, has hardly changed since its opening. Among the many recommended dishes is the hearty egg sandwich and the "Napolitan" spaghetti, both of which maintain the original flavors from the café's early days.
Oujou is also known for its large "chocolate parfait" and "cream soda," both of which have gained popularity on social media. It’s a perfect place to visit when you're exploring Ueno and want to experience the charm of a classic Japanese café.