Popular Tokyo dessert shop Kuronekobune opens in Taiwan; Nagasaki cake available in limited daily quantities, so grab yours fast

▲ Kuronekobune, famous for its Nagasaki cake, has officially launched in Taiwan.

Reported and photographed by Huang Shiyuan, Taipei

The popular Tokyo dessert shop “Kuronekobune” from Jiyūgaoka has officially launched in Taiwan on March 7. Its signature best-selling product, the Nagasaki cake, is a favorite souvenir among travelers. Although priced at NT$600 per cake, many snapped up more than 10 at a time as they didn’t have to travel abroad to enjoy it. All 200 Nagasaki cakes prepared for the opening day sold out immediately. Since Kuronekobune’s Nagasaki cakes are flown in from Japan daily in limited quantities, those who want to try them should head there early.

The Nagasaki cake is said to have been introduced to Japan via the Portuguese in the 16th century. Over time and with advancing techniques, this confection, which originated in Portugal but flourished in Japan, is made by Kuronekobune using just three simple ingredients: sugar (granulated sugar and maltitol syrup), eggs, and wheat flour—without any added fats, baking powder, or preservatives. It is naturally baked using only the power of eggs and sugar. Additionally, the base uses premium white raw sugar known as “Oni Hakuto,” whose large crystals and minimal impurities allow the flavors to harmonize during baking, bringing out the cake’s natural taste.


▲ The Nagasaki cake comes in original and matcha flavors.

In addition to the Nagasaki cake, other popular items include dorayaki, Nagasaki cake crisps, and wavy waffles. As part of the opening promotion, Kuronekobune is offering an exclusive “Kuronekobune Banquet Gift Box” for NT$400, allowing customers to enjoy one slice of original Nagasaki cake, one slice of matcha Nagasaki cake, one original dorayaki, and one pack of wavy waffles—all at a special price. Limited quantities are available and will be sold while stocks last. Moreover, during the promotion period, customers who spend NT$1,000 or more in a single transaction will receive a complimentary “Kuronekobune Exclusive Design Tote Bag.”


▲ Dorayaki.


▲ Wavy waffles.


▲ Matcha-flavored Nagasaki cake crisps.

Established in 2006, Kuronekobune actually originates from the century-old Nagasaki cake shop Nagasaki-ya in Osaka. The founder, Araki Genjiro, opened “Senmasseien” in Nagasaki in 1919 and relocated to Osaka in 1924, renaming it Nagasaki-ya. Why the new brand is called Kuronekobune? According to Kuronekobune’s president, Araki Takashi, the term originally referred to Western ships that arrived in Japan during the Edo shogunate era through the early modern period, and also carries connotations of something new. The new brand embodies the vision of bringing Japanese sweets to the world. The name also draws inspiration from the phrase “Kurofune ga kuru” (“Black ships are coming”) found on the Nagasaki-ya trademark.


▲ Crowds at the store.

Kuronekobune has a total of 20 stores in Japan, plus four overseas locations in Shanghai and Seoul. The Taiwan flagship store marks its fifth overseas branch. To ensure consistent quality across all international locations, Kuronekobune insists on using carefully selected Japanese ingredients, manufacturing everything in Japan, and shipping products to Taiwan using low-temperature sea freight. The company develops exclusive overseas product formulas and strictly adheres to a no-preservatives policy.

Pricing: Nagasaki cake (original) NT$600 per box / NT$160 per slice; Nagasaki cake (matcha) NT$650 per box / NT$170 per slice; dorayaki (original) NT$80 per slice, (matcha) NT$80 per slice; Nagasaki cake crisps RASQ (original) NT$450 per box, (matcha) NT$500 per box; wavy waffles (matcha) NT$80 per slice, (chocolate) NT$80 per slice.

Address: Pacific SOGO Department Store Zhongxiao Branch, B2F (No. 45, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City)