Torindo Ueno store

Though small enough to sit in the palm of your hand, the signature kodaiyaki at Torindo has a pleasing heft when you pick it up. Inside the thin, moistly baked sea-bream-shaped crust, rich azuki bean paste fills every curve from head to tail tip. The paste is not overly sweet, allowing the earthy, natural flavor of the beans to lead, making these little cakes equally pleasant whether savored during a neighborhood walk or packed into a gift box to take home.

Unwinding with Whisked Matcha and Seasonal Confections

Set within the calm residential streets of Ueno Sakuragi, the shop features a dedicated tea seating area where traditional Japanese sweets are served alongside carefully whisked matcha. The tea’s brisk, pleasant bitterness and vibrant aroma balance the sweets cleanly, offering quiet rest to tired feet. In addition to kodaiyaki-and-matcha sets, the tearoom serves classic favorites such as red bean zenzai and fruit-and-jelly anmitsu.

Shaved Ice and Mizu Yokan for the Warmer Months

When the weather turns warm, delicate shaved ice and smooth mizu yokan bring cooling relief. Guests look forward to seasonal bowls such as Uji matcha kakigori concealing bean paste beneath a mound of finely shaved ice, alongside variations drizzled with fruit syrups.

Inside, the warm wood-accented interior occasionally hosts displays of ceramics and traditional crafts, creating an inviting stop while strolling between Ueno Park and Yanaka. In addition to in-store shopping, the shop accepts credit cards, e-money, and QR-code mobile payments.