[Tokyo] Fans of Totoro, the beloved character from the Studio Ghibli movie ‘My Neighbour Totoro’, will not want to give this a miss.
PSA: Ghibli Park has recently opened in the Aichi prefecture of Japan last month, giving overseas fans more reasons to visit Japan.
Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory is nestled in the residential area of Setagaya-Daita, right next to Shimokitazawa which is known for their second-hand vintage clothing stores, bookstores, music shops, indie cafés and bars.
The double-storey building comprised of both bakery: Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory on the first floor for takeaways, and Totoro Café & Bakery on the second floor for dine-in.
If you ever see a long queue outside, this is the queue for dining in upstairs whereas customers seeking for takeaway can just enter the entrance to the first floor.
Opened by the sister-in-law of famed Studio Ghibli founder/director, Hayao Miyazaki, Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory is actually the only bakery in the world with official permission from Studio Ghibli to make confections in the shape of Totoro.
I will highly recommend to go there early as the Totoro cream puffs are only made once daily in the morning, and flavours do run out pretty quickly in the afternoon.
A total of 9 flavours are available on their menu, each uniquely differentiated by the leaf, flower, or ribbon hat on each Totoro.
Unfortunately, most of the flavours are only made on certain months of the years, so it’s not possible to try all of them in a single visit.
The only ones that are available all year around are the Custard Cream (JPY 460, SGD4.60) – presented by a green leaf; and Chocolate (JPY 460, SGD4.60) – represented by a blue ribbon hat.
Other seasonal flavours include Strawberry (January to June), Caramel Banana (January to March), Matcha (April to June), Peach (July to September), Mango (July to September), Chestnut (October to December) and Raspberry and Cream Cheese (October to December).
Each of them are about palm-sized, generously piped with cream within the choux puff pastry.
Made from Japanese wheat flour, the choux puff is pretty light and airy, in contrast to the velvety smooth cream inside.
I had their classic Custard Cream (JPY 460, SGD4.60), made from real vanilla beans and fresh whipped cream.
The custard was surprisingly pretty refreshing and smooth in texture, thankfully without being overly sweet.
My favourite is the seasonal Raspberry and Cream Cheese (JPY 500, SGD5) that is only available from October to December.
Generously piped with raspberry puree which gives it a citrusy punch, well balanced by the thicker and richer cream cheese.
Here at Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory, you will be able to find other Totoro confectioneries such as Cookies (JPY 240, SGD2.40) or even gift boxes as “omiyage” (souvenirs) which you can bring back home.
Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory
5 Chome-3-1 Daita, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0033, Japan
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 7pm (Mon, Wed – Sun), Closed Tues
Google Maps – Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory
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* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape who loves all things [NEW]. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
