Welcome Autumn with Seasonal Sweets in Tokyo

Take yourself on a culinary journey through Japan’s autumn flavors with cafe sweets and confectioneries in Tokyo.

Autumn in Tokyo brings cooler temperatures, stunning autumn foliage, and a delicious harvest of seasonal fruits, vegetables, and nuts. In this article, we will introduce three autumn sweets shops that have mastered the flavors of the season. Please note that although these eateries specialize in autumn flavors, their food offerings are available year-round.

High-quality Chestnut Sweets — Waguriya

Chestnuts have long been a staple of autumn in Japan. For a taste of this beloved nut, visit Waguriya. This cafe exclusively uses homegrown chestnuts from its farm in Ibaraki Prefecture and does not use additives in its sweets—allowing the chestnuts’ natural nuttiness and sweetness to truly shine.

Waguriya’s most popular dish is its chestnut Mont Blanc and Tea set—only available through dine-in. This dessert is made with chestnut cream topped with Mont Blanc cream and encased in thinly piped chestnut paste. If you are interested in takeout, Waguriya’s Mont Blanc soft serve is a must-try and only contains chestnut paste and milk. The simple elegance of both desserts highlight the chestnuts’ distinct flavor.

Although queues are commonplace, Waguriya’s unparalleled flavors are well worth the wait.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes — Ginza Tsuboyaki-imo

During a chilly autumn day in Tokyo, no snack is quite as satisfying as a freshly roasted Japanese sweet potato, called yaki-imo in Japanese, and Ginza Tsuboyaki-imo is a shop that has perfected the technique. This store differentiates itself from other sweet potato eateries by following the tsuboyaki cooking method.

Ginza Tsuboyaki-imo ages its sweet potatoes for a certain period and then roasts them for three to four hours over charcoal in custom-made Tokoname ware pots. This aging and slow-roasting process brings out the potatoes’ natural sweetness, resulting in a rich caramelized flavor and creamy texture. Enjoy a whole or half of a sweet potato, a Tsuboimo latte—made by blending roasted sweet potatoes in milk—or Mitsudama, which are dried pieces of roasted sweet potato that have a moist and tender texture.

Eye-catching Pumpkin Desserts — Kabocha

If you are looking for a cafe that embodies the aesthetics of autumn, Kabocha is the place for you. “Kabocha” is a type of Japanese squash related to gourds and pumpkins. As its name suggests, the cafe is hugely inspired by kabocha—from its green exterior and orange interior to its dozens of cute pumpkin decorations and serving dishes.

Here, you can find kabocha-flavored cakes, muffins, bagels, scones, and more. Kabocha’s baked pudding is especially unique as it is served in the kabocha’s outer peel. The kabocha pie is also a customer favorite and has a smooth texture laced with sweetness, warm spices, and kabocha flavor. If you are a coffee drinker, the restaurant’s kabocha latte is the perfect beverage to pair with your sweet feast. Design- and flavor-wise, Kabocha is a celebration of autumn.

Waguriya

Ginza Tsuboyaki-imo

Kabocha

For updated information on opening hours, days closed, prices, and more, please check the official website.