The Taiyaki is one of the most well-known snacks in Japan. Literally translating to fried sea bream, the Taiyaki is a pancake snack usually filled with red beans that comes in the shape of a fish. There are many Taiyaki stalls around Japan, especially in castle compounds, and here are 8 fantastic shops in Tokyo you definitely have to check out!
1. The traditional taste of Yanagiya
Yanagiya is located in Ningyocho, one of the old streets of Tokyo. Conveniently located just 4 minutes from Ningyocho Station, Yanagiya is a place where you can savor a traditional Taiyaki flavor. Opened in 1916, this is one of the most famous stores around the area and there is always a queue. Despite that, the queue moves quite fast so you won’t have to worry about waiting for hours! The fish shaped pancakes are filled to the brim and are a perfect walk-and-eat food as you explore the streets of Ningyocho.
Yanagiya
Address: 2-11-3 Nihonbashiningyo, Chuo, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 12:30pm - 6pm (closed on Sunday)
Access: 4 minute walk from Ningyocho Station
2. The original Taiyaki from Naniwaya Sohenten
The Taiyaki is today one of the most famous snacks of Japan, and Naniwaya Sohenten is where this snack was born. Opened in 1909, Naniwaya is the only place where you can enjoy the most original Taiyaki flavor that people have been loving for more than a hundred years! The Taiyaki at Naniwaya Sohenten has a thin and crispy yet soft layer, filled to the brim with delicious red beans. The Taiyaki here can be enjoyed take-away but you can also choose to dine-in at the second floor. Being a very popular store, it is recommended that you call in to place an order to avoid queuing!
Naniwaya Sohenten
Address: 1-8-14 Azabujudan, Minato, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 11am - 7pm (closed on Tuesdays and the 3rd Wednesday of the month)
Access: 4 minute walk from Azabu-juban Station
Website: Naniwaya Sohenten
3. The big-sized pancake of Taiyaki Wakaba
Taiyaki Wakaba is conveniently just 5 minutes from Yotsuya Station by foot. Opened in 1953, Taiyaki Wakaba is located in the middle of a housing estate and is popular amongst the locals. The Taiyaki from Taiyaki Wakaba is slightly larger and has a fluffy texture and delicious sweet red beans. They can be enjoyed both take-away and in the store.
Taiyaki Wakaba
Address: 1-10 Wakaba, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 9am - 7pm (closes at 6:30pm on Saturday, closed on Sunday)
Access: 5 minute walk from Yotsuya Station
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4. Taiyaki Sharaku, Asakusa
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Asakusa is a popular destination in Tokyo and is famous for having many walk-and-eat foods such as mochi and dorayaki. One of the stores famous in this area is Taiyaki Sharaku. The Taiyaki from Taiyaki Sharaku has a paler skin compared to other store which is thin and very crispy. Popular amongst locals and tourists alike, this store is highly recommended when visiting Asakusa.
Taiyaki Sharaku
Address: 3-9-10 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 10:30am - 6pm (closed on Monday)
Access: 8 minute walk from Asakusa Station
Website: Taiyaki Sharaku
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5. Enjoy Taiyaki Taichi while walking along the Edo Street!
The Yanasen region in Tokyo comprises the Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi area. This region is a popular destination and is a place where you can enjoy the olden Edo era (1603 – 1867) streetscape. Taiyaki Taichi is a Taiyaki store located here, conveniently just 3 minutes from Nippori station. The Taiyakis here are all prepared one at a time, with delicious red beans filling the pancake to the brim! They often sell out quite fast so it is highly recommended that you visit the store earlier in the day.
Taiyaki Taichi
Address: 7-18-4 Yanaka, Taito, Tokyo
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 12pm - 6pm, Weekends: 11am – 6pm
Access: 3 minute walk from Nippori Station
Website: Taiyaki Taichi
6. Taiyaki of Nezu in the Nezu area
Nezu is a popular destination in Tokyo and is well known for the Nezu shrine, as well as the beautiful scenery of Azalea flowers blooming in spring. One of the popular walk-and-eat foods that you can enjoy at Nezu is from the store Nezu no Taiyaki, meaning “Taiyaki of Nezu”. This store almost represents the Taiyaki of the region, and the delicious crispy Taiyaki is simply amazing! They sell out quite fast every day and also have unfixed holidays, so it is recommended that you check their official Twitter account before visiting.
Taiyaki of Nezu
Address: 1-23-9 Nezu, Bunkyo, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 10:30am - 2pm
Access: 7 minute walk from Nezu Station
7. The mega sized Taiyaki from Taiyaki Kanda Daruma Ueno Branch
There are a total of 7 branches of Taiyaki Kanda Daruma in Tokyo, and one of the most famous ones is the Ueno Branch. The Taiyaki Kanda Daruma Ueno Branch is well-known for having huge Taiyakis with “wings”. Here, not only can you enjoy the crispy and delicious plus-sized Taiyakis, you can also choose between red beans and custard cream for the fillings!
Taiyaki Kanda Daruma Ueno Branch
Address: 6-12-17 Ueno, Taito, Tokyo
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 11:30am - 11pm, Weekends: 10:30am - 11pm
Access: 4 minute walk from Ueno Station
Website: Taiyaki Kanda Daruma Ueno Branch
8. The retro Taiyaki of Banryu
Banryu is located at the Ekoda Market, a street that has been serving the locals since 1922. There are various stores here that have been around for many years, and one of them is Banryu. While being a very simple store with just 1 type of Taiyaki available, they can be enjoyed for just 100 JPY (0.90 USD)! The traditional Taiyaki taste is highly worth the visit.
Banryu
Address: 31-3 Sakaecho, Nerima, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 3pm- 7pm
Access: 3 minute walk from Ekoda Station
NINJA WiFi
Since Tokyo’s best taiyaki shops are found all over the the city, one way to make your journey easier is by staying connected with NINJA WiFi, one of our top picks for pocket WiFi service in Japan. Make use of their 3 GB per day package option if you only need to use navigation and tourism apps. If you need something with heftier bandwidth, NINJA WiFi has several adequate packages to check out. Have your device delivered to your hotel or workplace by paying a small charge. You can also just pick it up and return the device for free at their airport counters or Shinjuku counter.
For a better budget to indulge your taiyaki adventures, Trip101 readers should take advantage of a special 20% discount available on their NINJA WiFi purchase. Make sure to claim it by heading to the link below.
Connect to NINJA WiFi so you can stream or upload photos of your taiyaki tour in Tokyo. For additional information, don’t forget to check out our new article about NINJA WiFi.
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Data: unlimited (high speed data of 3GB, 5GB, 10GB per day)
Collection/Return: Delivery service to your hotel/accommodation. Collection and return at airport.
The best walk-and-eat foods around!
Tokyo is a place filled with great streets to explore, and is also one filled with a wide variety of stores with walk-and-eat foods. The Taiyaki, being one of the most traditional snacks in Japan, is definitely a must-try when walking along the streets of Tokyo. Make sure you check these stores out when in the region!
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