Super healing afternoon tea: 7 must-try popular taiyaki spots in Tokyo

Located just about a 2-minute walk from the office buildings around Shinbashi Station, its deliciousness has drawn lines of sharply dressed office workers.

In addition to selling the common thin-skinned taiyaki, what makes Sakura-ya unique is their ultra-thick taiyaki – over 5cm thick and incredibly filling.

Between two golden, fluffy, ultra-thick crusts is a generous amount of filling, offering a satisfying texture that’s both crispy and chewy. Paired with red bean paste of just the right sweetness, it’s the kind of deliciousness that becomes addictive after just one bite.

Ginza Taiyaki<き 樱家 银座本店
Address: 1-11-5 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3571-8765
Business hours: Monday to Friday 12:00–1:00 AM / Saturday and Sunday 12:00–8:00 PM

3. [Azabu-Juban] Naniwaya Head Store

Known as the founding shop of taiyaki, ‘Naniwaya’ has been in business since 1909 – over 100 years of history.

With red beans from Hokkaido’s Tokachi region slowly simmered for 8 hours into a smooth paste and a uniquely fragrant, ultra-thin crust, the sweet yet not overly rich combination is endlessly enjoyable.

Due to its lasting popularity over the century, you often have to wait about an hour to get your hands on one.

It’s recommended to dine in on the second floor with a tea set meal to enjoy the privilege of skipping the line.

Naniwaya Head Store
Address: 1-8-14 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3583-4975
Business hours: 10:00–20:00, closed on Tuesdays and the third Wednesday of every month

4.【Tsukiji Market】Sanokiyaya

Known as the “Kitchen of Tokyo,” Tsukiji Market serves taiyaki here shaped like the impressive ‘black tuna’ fish.

The filling inside the tuna is made from Hokkaido’s Tokachi-produced top-grade red bean variety “Beni Shouzu,” offering an intense bean aroma and perfect sweetness in a smooth, delicate texture that leaves a deep impression.

Besides freshly baked taiyaki, we also recommend the souvenir ‘Black Tuna Taiyaki,’ which has a crispy cookie-like exterior, making it easier to store and carry.

Sanokiyaya
Address: 4-11-9 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Outside Tsukiji Market)
Phone: 03-3543-3331
Business hours: 7:00–15:00, closed on Sundays and Tsukiji Market holidays

5.【Tokyo】Taiq<き铁次 大丸东京店

Located on the B1 floor of Daimaru Tokyo Department Store beneath Tokyo Station, the taiyaki shop “Taiq” features Japan’s only fully automatic taiyaki baking machine.

After nearly 10 years of development, this machine was finally completed, maintaining consistent quality while delivering the warm, artisanal touch as if baked by hand one by one.

With a completely different traditional shape, its cute, round form is highly appealing. The rich, full-bodied red bean filling from Hokkaido’s Tokachi region paired with a crispy exterior fills the air with aroma — the ‘Taiq,’ symbolizing good luck with its adorable look, is a popular souvenir item at Tokyo Station.

Taiq<き铁次 大丸东京店
Address: B1F, Daimaru Tokyo, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3212-8011
Business hours: Mon–Fri 10:00–21:00 / Sat & Sun 10:00–20:00

6.【Yotsuya】Taiyaki Wakaba

You can smell the rich aroma of charcoal even before reaching the shop. To try the super-popular taiyaki from Tokyo’s long-established favorite “Wakaba,” which has been around since 1953, be prepared to queue.

Skilled artisans pour the batter and red bean paste into the iron molds and bake them slowly over a small flame. The deliberately charred parts emit a subtly smoky aroma that’s hard to resist.

The taiyaki’s fish pattern is delicately drawn like a work of art, and its not-too-sweet, rich and solid filling paired with a thin, crispy crust creates a unique flavor. A subtle saltiness brings out the original sweetness of the ingredients, resulting in a comforting, top-quality delight.

A must-try taiyaki in Tokyo is none other than “Wakaba”!

Taiyaki Wakaba
Address: 1-10 Wakaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Note: the specific address formatting seems slightly off; assuming "小l?鹰爰br" is a formatting artifact and not translatable)
Phone: 03-3351-4396

7.【Ueno】Tourin-do Ueno Branch

Established in the first year of the Showa era, the traditional wagashi shop “Tourin-do” has branches in Osaka, Tokyo, and elsewhere.

The Ueno branch has a dedicated café where you can enjoy your favorite wagashi with matcha inside the shop.

The ultra-mini taiyaki, only 8 cm in diameter, is small, elegant, and exquisite. It uses Tanba Dainagon red beans for its filling, offering a silky, thick, and rich texture that melts gently in your mouth. Its unforgettable, intriguing sweetness lingers on the palate.

Tourin-do Ueno Branch
Address: 1-5-7 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3828-9826
Business Hours: 9:00–17:00
 

Conclusion
When in Tokyo, don’t miss out on the century-old popular coin-sized snack — ‘Taiyaki’ (fish-shaped cake)!

Author: MATCHA
Blog　Facebook Page