Wagashi Misuzu, a Japanese Confectionery Shop Loved by Locals

Hello, this is the staff of The Gate Hotel Ryogoku. Today, we would like to introduce Wagashi Misuzu, a Japanese confectionery shop established in 1948 and loved by local people for 70 years in the Honjo area of downtown Tokyo. This store also has a branch in the Ryogoku area where The Gate Hotel Ryogoku is located. When you want to take a breath of fresh air, how about being healed by the gentle sweetness of handmade Japanese sweets?

What kind of store is Wagashi Misuzu?

misuzu shop — Wagashi are lined up side by side. You will want to try every last one of them.

The origin of the store is the birthplace of the first owner.

The name of the store, Misuzu, comes from Misuzukaru, a word for a pillow in Shinshu (the land of Shinano). It was named after the first generation owner who was born in Nagano Prefecture.

Maybe the signature product will bring you good fortune?

The Motoku Inari Shrine, long revered by the locals, is located near the main store. The shrine is a deity that presides over a good harvest, and before World War II, it was said to be one of the three most important shrines in Tokyo. It is said that one of the store’s popular products, Motoku Mochi was born from the desire to honor this venerable Motoku Inari Shrine.

misuzu specialty gentokumochi — Motoku Mochi, one of Misuzu’s representative sweets

Japanese sweets with the warmth that only a family-run business can provide.

Boxed confections suitable for celebrations, etc.

The main store in Tachikawa, Sumida-ku has been run by the family for many years. Inheriting the craftsmanship of handmade sweets and the spirit of never compromising on ingredients, the current third generation has also introduced new elements through training in Western-style confectionery. Perhaps the secret to the continued love of the locals is their pursuit of freshness while maintaining the old-fashioned sense of security.

Walking distance from The Gate Hotel

The Midori Branch, located in the Ryogoku area, is a 15-minute walk from The Gate Hotel Ryogoku. If you come by train, it is a 12-minute walk from the East Exit of Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line or a 6-minute walk from Exit A5 of Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line. If you are strolling in Ryogoku, please check it out.

Specialty red bean paste made from the finest azuki beans

The red bean paste is the most important element of Japanese confectionery, and Wagashi Misuzu handles the highest quality azuki beans produced in Tokachi, Hokkaido, and selects the best of each year’s crop. Here are some of their popular and signature products using this red bean paste.

Signature product Cafe au Lait Daifuku

The perfect size for a snack.

The generous amount of whipped cream can be seen in the cross-sectional view.

It is truly a product that combines the best of both Japanese and Western style sweets.

It is smaller in size than most daifuku and has a cute, round shape. It is sold frozen and is served after it has thawed naturally for 10 to 20 minutes.

misuzu daifuku — The daifuku are colorful and pretty, and look great in photographs. From left to right: cafe au lait, green tea, and ramune flavors.

The mochi-like daifuku skin contains a soft and chewy red bean paste and a generous amount of whipped cream center. The classic flavor of the café au lait daifuku comes with a slightly bitter coffee aftertaste, which goes well with the sweetness of the red bean paste. The green colored one is matcha (powdered green tea), a refined sweetness that complements the red bean paste, and the light blue color is a summer-only ramune flavor that offers a refreshing, nostalgic taste, unlike anything you have ever tasted before.

If you defrost them just a little, the crispy texture will remain, and if you defrost them enough, the cream will become tender inside. You can decide when to eat yours according to your preference.

If kept frozen, they will last for 15 days; if refrigerated, they will last for 2 days.

Nama Dorayaki is a combination of a chilled temperature with a fluffy texture.

Even when half defrosted, the dorayaki has a different taste.

It is larger than Cafe au Lait Daifuku.

This Nama Dorayaki contains not only red bean paste but also whipped cream inside and is sold frozen just like Café Au Lait Daifuku. When thawed at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes, the cool filling and slightly fluffy dough create an exquisite taste.

Motoku Mochi originated from a local shrine.

The rice cake is filled with both molasses and kinako (soybean flour).

It is a famous confectionary named after the Motoku Inari Shrine, which was introduced earlier. The kinako (soybean flour) and kuromitsu (brown sugar) are reminiscent of Shingen Mochi, a specialty of Yamanashi. By pouring it generously over the resilient and soft rice cake, you will send your taste buds to cloud nine. The wrapped furoshiki cloth is old-fashioned and colorful, making it a perfect souvenir.

Other tempting wagashi (Japanese sweets) in the showcase await you.

For those who cannot visit in person, they also have an online store.

Please spend a relaxing time with Japanese tastes that pair with every season.