By David, long-term Tokyo resident & food-loving traveler

The best Japanese food can be found at places that specialize in just one thing, for example making the perfect piece of sushi. Similarly, there are fantastic places that focus on certain types of sweets only. Here are three local shops that serve exceptional desserts.

Fruit Parlor Goto

This shop is all about tasty treats prepared with fresh fruit. People line up before the shop opens to be the first to taste one of the popular parfaits. High-quality seasonal fruit is considered a luxury item in Japan, often given as expensive gifts. So a fruit parfait is considered a special treat. Check out the seasonal menu for specials. The parfaits are made in a traditional Japanese style, taking care to shape and present each piece of fruit well.

Address: 2-15-4 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo.

Usually open 11:00 - 19:00, closed on Wednesdays.

Access: Located in a traditional Asakusa neighborhood inside the Hisago-Dori shopping arcade, next to the Wired Hotel Asakusa and close to the Edo Taito Traditional Craft Museum https://craft.city.taito.lg.jp/en/kogeikan/. 5 minute walk from the Senso-ji Temple Main Hall past the tiny Hanayashiki amusement park.

Benitsuru

Benitsuru looks like a teppanyaki shop with all counter seats where you can see the chef work his magic. But here, the chef cooks up super fluffy pancakes made with rice flower. They are served as a wobbly stack of three covered in yummy sauce and fruit (or in a savory option with bacon and eggs). You can also order extra toppings like ice cream or butter. Sometimes the chef offers a special topping with seasonal fruits. Make sure to make a reservation. People line up in the morning to get one of the limited number of vouchers for later in the day.

Address: 2-1-11 Nishi-Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo.

Usually open 10:30 - 20:00. Reservations on the day open at 8:30. Closed on Wednesdays.

Access: The shop is located on Kokusai-dori Street near the Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station. 5-minute walk from Senso-ji Temple’s Kaminarimon Gate.

Kuriya Otona Kurogi

If it weren’t for the ice cream sign outside, you could easily mistake this place for a stylish champagne bar. The word Otona means adult in Japanese and Kuriya is added to imply artisan cooking. And in this sense the shop does not disappoint. Ordering parfait or kakigori (shaved ice) here feels like ordering a cocktail. Everything is made with distinctly Japanese flavors and seasonal ingredients. This October there are autumn desserts on the menu with sweet potato and figs. @otona_kuriya

Address: Parco_ya 1F, 3-24-6 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo.

Usually open 10:00 - 19:00 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, holidays last order 23:00).

Access: Located on the 1F level of PARCO_ya Ueno and Matsuzakaya department store in Ueno Okachimachi.

Click the link below to read this related article you might like: “Where to eat in Asakusa - 3 popular local sweet shops”