Toraya: From Kyoto to Tokyo

For half a millennium, Toraya has been making the traditional Japanese confections known as wagashi. Founded in Kyoto in the early 16th century when it was purveyor to the imperial court, Toraya moved its headquarters in 1869, following the transfer of the capital from Kyoto to Tokyo.

After trying a few locations within the city, Toraya eventually settled on the wealthy neighborhood of Akasaka for its headquarters in 1964. However, after over 50 years, the building began showing signs of age, and Toraya decided to completely refashion its flagship store from the ground up, creating not only a building which testifies to the success and venerable tradition of the Toraya brand but also embodies its values with its use of traditional and modern architecture.

A Refurbished Flagship Store

In October, 2018, Toraya opened its elegantly refurbished flagship store to the public.

Exterior

With its glass and wood exterior crowned with a roof in black lacquer made in the ancient plaster technique of shikkui and emblazoned with Toraya’s tora 虎 (tiger) logo, the building strikes an elegant form.

The Toraya logo and iron latticework from the original building is displayed at street level when you approach the entrance.

The main entrance, with the famous Toraya sign in the hiragana syllabary, written horizontally from right to left in the ancient style, on white noren curtain panels.

Once you step inside, the warm tones of hinoki cypress wood, used abundantly in the walls and panels, create a warm and inviting mood. Hiroshi Naito's architecture shines with a combination of traditional and modern accents.

Lobby: Reception

The reception is where you can ask information, make a reservation for the Toraya Tea Room on the 3rd floor, receive pamphlets and even purchase certain Akasaka shop limited edition items such as thin bars of yokan bean paste jelly in a packages decorated with Hiroshi Naito's architectural sketches for the shop.

An ikebana display gracefully livens up the white reception desk counter

Inconspicuously located in a slim wall panel near the elevator, there's a convenient vending machine selling pouches of "Yokan à la carte" containing 6 bite-sized pieces of strawberry, matcha and even miso flavored yokan.

Basement: Gallery

The gallery features regularly changing exhibits highlighting aspects of Toraya's history and wagashi manufacture. During our visit in December, there was an exhibit on the different types of yokan Toraya historically made and reproductions of the master patterns used to create them.

The mortar and wooden spoon-like pestle used to make yokan

A map of yokan types and their regional distribution among the numerous Toraya shop locations within Japan.

Just like most of the information within the Toraya flagship store, English translations are printed or separately available upon request. Here is an exhibit guide which was available at the gallery reception.

Second Floor: Shop

After climbing up the central staircase, you'll arrive at the second floor main shop area where countless varieties of Toraya confections are neatly displayed on tables arranged in rows against a striking black lacquer wall boldly highlighted by a giant Toraya logo.

Seasonal varieties, such as yokan decorated in a wild boar pattern to symbolize the new year, are prominently featured.

Only available at the Akasaka flagship shop, Senri no Kaze 千里の風 (Wind of a Thousand Miles), is a yokan decorated in a pattern meant to symbolize a fast and powerful tiger running like the wind.

In one corner of the floor, you'll find artifacts from Toraya's history such as these beautiful tiered boxes from the 18th century decorated with tigers and the Toraya logo

Toraya's confections are not limited to yokan, also featuring colorfully patterned an-yaki cakes such as these...

...and the pinnacle of wagashi artisansry, the nama-gashi (literally "raw confection") which delight with their colorful and delicate seasonal designs.

Third Floor: Tea Room

Another special treat available at the flagship store is a chance to enjoy some of Toraya's confections or a light meal, traditional deserts, hot and iced tea drinks and other beverages in the comfort of an elegant tea room with premium views overlooking Akasaka.

Climb the staircase to the third floor (or take the elevator), take a number (if you haven't already at the lobby) and have a seat, or observe Toraya confections being made in front of your eyes through a glass window looking into the central kitchen

The entrance of the Tea Room

This is only a sample of some pages of the menu which changes with the seasons.

The seasonal meal features savory as well as sweet items.

The list of seasonal nama-gashi sweets available when we visited.

The Senri no Kaze yokan and Zangetsu (waning moon) cake with bean paste filling, available in a set with either sencha green tea, or with matcha or matcha glacé (iced matcha).

Since it was only available in the Akasaka flagship store, we ordered the Senri no Kaze with a matcha glacé set.

Sweet, flavorful, and a perfect match for the iced matcha.

The tea room also overlooks the Toyokawa Inari Betsuin temple, which you may want to visit after your enjoyable time at Toraya's flagship store.

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Shop Information

• Name: Toraya Akasaka Shop
• Address: 4-9-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• Phone: +81-3-3408-4121 *Only in Japanese
• Shop Hours: 8:30-19:00 (Weekdays), 9:30-18:00 (Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays)
• Shop holiday: 6th day of each month (except in December)
• Tea Room Hours: 11:00-18:30 (Weekdays) Last order: 18:00 / 11:00-17:30 (Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays) Last order: 17:00, Lunch time 11:30-14:30
• Gallery Hours: 10:00 to 17:30 *The opening hours may change according to events held.
• Website: Toraya Akasaka Shop