• 2023.6.7
• food

Delicious "Japanese sweets" are the perfect answer for a date with your girlfriend! ? Compare the foods in front of Ikegami Honmonji Temple

Apparently, there are many shops where you can enjoy delicious Japanese sweets in Ikegami, Ota Ward, Tokyo! Not Ueno, Asakusa, or Ginza, but Ikegami... This area, which has long been known as a scenic spot, is also called ``Maisen,'' an acronym for Magome, Ikegami, and Senzokuike, and is said to be a perfect place for a walk around town.

Perhaps it could be an attractive new date spot where you can make your girlfriend a little happy...? Thinking so, I decided to visit Ikegami alone one early summer day and sample Japanese sweets. From Kusu mochi to anmitsu, shaved ice, and anmaki, here are the results of trying Ikegami's Japanese sweets! ?

Ikegami is a city that feels like it's not in Tokyo even though it's in Tokyo.

The area from Ikegami Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line to the historic Ikegami Honmonji Temple is full of delicious Japanese sweets shops. When I get off the Ikegami Line, which is like a local train, at Ikegami Station, time seems to pass a little more slowly. Even though this place is in Tokyo, within the 23rd ward, it has a more laid-back atmosphere than the Tokyo I know.

As I crossed the intersection and passed through the gate labeled ``Honmonji Street,'' I felt that the wind blowing through the city became even gentler. The greenery of the trees along the street, the colorful flowers lined up at the flower shops, and the people walking down the street are all calm and relaxing...

Even though you're in Tokyo, it feels like you've come to a city far away. If I walk this path with her, I think the conversation with her will naturally bloom. While I was imagining things like that, I arrived at the first Japanese sweets shop.

The jiggly texture is exquisite! Kusu mochi from “Ikedaya”

The first place I came to was ``Ikedaya'' on the approach to Ikegami Honmonji Temple. Although you can feel the long history of the store with its impressive appearance, it also has an atmosphere that makes it easy to casually drop by.

This might be a good place to start your Ikegami date... As I was thinking about this, I noticed that the kanji for ``kuzumochi'' posted above the store was not the usual ``kuzumochi,'' but the kanji for ``kuzumochi.'' I'm quietly looking forward to seeing what kind of dish I'll find.

As soon as I stepped into the store, I was greeted by a calm and comfortable space. Stylish lighting hangs from the ceiling, and plenty of light from outside comes in through the windows, creating an elegant yet bright atmosphere. The tables are spaced wide apart, so you can enjoy a relaxing conversation with your girlfriend here.

I immediately decided to try Ikedaya's most famous specialty, Kusumochi. I ordered Kusumochi (1 yen) with a simple kinako kake. As soon as it was brought to the table, the sweet and comforting aroma of kinako tickled my nostrils, and it almost made my mouth water.

The taste of eating it with thick brown sugar syrup is so delicious that you can't help but whisper, ``I'm so happy...'' If she were with her, they might really tweet at each other. Kusu mochi has an exquisite jiggly texture, and has just the right amount of elasticity, making it smooth and pleasant to swallow. The aroma of soybean flour and the rich sweetness of brown sugar syrup further enhance the taste of Kusumochi.

When I spoke to the owner, I learned that while ``kuzumochi'' in the Kansai region is made from arrowroot powder, ``kusumochi'' is more common in the Kanto region and is made from fermented wheat flour. Anyway, the name suggests good luck, so it's no wonder that just eating it makes you feel happy.

Ikedaya's Kusu mochi also comes in the ``Black Sesame Kinako Kake'' (600 yen), which has a rich sesame flavor, so I thought it might be a good idea to order one each and share half with my girlfriend.

When I looked out the window, I saw a liquor store that looked like an old folk house, giving off an atmosphere that was hard to imagine in Tokyo.

At this shop, you'll feel like you've traveled somewhere far away, and you might be able to give your girlfriend a little bit of comfort. I noticed this as I pictured her face as she seemed busy with work recently.

``Ikedaya'' also has a nice, friendly personality from the owner. This shop is loved not only because of the delicious Kusu mochi, but also because of the warmth of the owner.

"Many of our customers are elderly, but recently we have seen an increase in the number of young couples."

While hearing such stories, customers keep coming to buy Kusumochi as souvenirs. The Kusumochi from this shop has a flavor that will make people feel happy, regardless of their generation. It was a traditional Japanese sweets shop that was perfect for starting a date in Ikegami.

Ikedaya

Location: 4-24-1 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Access: 6-7 minutes walk from Ikegami Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line
TEL：03-3751-0154
http://kuzumochi-ikedaya.cafe.coocan.jp/

When I left the store, I was walking to an elementary school, and a group of elementary school students carrying school bags were passing by. A young man and an old man were slowly passing by on bicycles... The ordinary daily life of this city feels like an extraordinary experience when traveling somewhere, and it seems like it would be nice to enjoy a leisurely walk around town on the way to the next store.

It's like a cool jewelry box! Anmitsu from “Asanoya Honpo”

The second place we visited was Asanoya Honpo, a sweets restaurant located a little further along the approach towards Ikegami Station. Although it is a long-established store that was founded in 2, the exterior is beautiful and stylish, making it look like a new cafe. I think she would be happy to join us here.

Next to the entrance of the store, there was a curtain with the word "ice" written on it. If we had a date on a summer day, this place might be a cool spot, like an oasis...I imagined her and her folding up her parasol.

The small interior of the store has a simple and clean atmosphere. Her unpretentious nature actually makes her feel comfortable, and I think I'll be able to make her feel at ease as well. ``It was hot outside, wasn't it?'' ``Let's eat something cold!'' I feel like the conversation will naturally start.

After thinking about what would make her the most happy, I chose "Shiratama Matcha Cream Anmitsu" (1 yen). When I saw the dish that was finally brought to me, I realized that this is definitely the one! I felt like screaming in my heart. It was an anmitsu that was so vivid to the eye that it looked like it was encrusted with colorful jewels. It's also a jewelry box with a refreshing feel that seems to drop the surrounding temperature by about 870 degrees Celsius.

When I tried it right away, I found that all the ingredients were lively and delicious: the pleasantly chewy shiratama dumplings, the exquisitely sweet matcha ice cream, the richly flavored bean paste, and the beautiful sparkling agar. . It's a waste to eat it, but you can't stop moving the spoon...that's what anmitsu is.

The agar is made from amanita from Miyakejima and Niijima, the red bean paste is made from azuki beans from Hokkaido, and the brown sugar syrup is made from brown sugar from Okinawa Prefecture, using plenty of ingredients from all over the country. It was truly a dish filled with edible gems.

One more thing: Now that you've seen the "ice" noren, you'll also want to try the shaved ice. I ordered "Strawberry Milk" shaved ice (750 yen), which my girlfriend seems to like.

What was brought to me was shaved ice with a gentle pink tint. When I put a spoon into it, I was surprised to find that it was soft and fluffy, like fresh snow. When you take a bite, the taste is not too sweet, and the deliciousness of cold strawberry milk spreads throughout your mouth. Summer has already come... I felt like whispering to myself.

If your date is on a hot day, this cup of shaved ice might be the best cooling agent. She could already feel happy imagining her relieved smile.

“I hope I can make something more delicious tomorrow than today.”

This is what the young 12th generation owner of the store told me. The smiling and kind owner complements the calm atmosphere of this restaurant beautifully.

Recently, young mothers with their children often come here. As I was listening to this story, a mother with her child on her bicycle had just come by to buy anmitsu. A mother who buys two takeout anmitsu and immediately hands one to her child...

“I want my children to come here again when they grow up.”

As I watched the children happily looking at the anmitsu, I felt that the owner's words were about to come true.

Asanoya Honpo

Location: 4-32-7 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Access: 4 minutes walk from Ikegami Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line
TEL：03-3753-7539
https://www.yamachou-asanoya.com/

As I was walking through Ikegami, heading for the next shop, I realized why this town somehow makes me feel calm. It means not having too many things. In Tokyo, which is full of many things, Ikegami has not too many things, in a good way. I think it might be very attractive as a date spot for those seeking solace rather than stimulation...

Exquisite chewy and moist! Anmaki of "Anmaki Darumaya"

The last place I visited was Anmaki Darumaya, located in the shopping street that extends from Ikegami Station. The atmosphere is bright and open, and you can't help but stop when you see the pictures of Anmaki displayed all over the store. It's a take-out only shop, so it might be perfect to stop by at the end of your Ikegami date.

Anyway, Anmaki is a specialty of Aichi Prefecture. I have a feeling that she will be excited about this open-mapped restaurant, which is a bit rare in Tokyo.

I immediately ordered three types of anmaki, which Anmaki no Darumaya is proud of. The dough is baked to a beautiful golden brown color and wrapped with plenty of red bean paste, creating an adorable shape!

Let's start with the most popular "Custard Anmaki" (1 yen). When you take a bite, the rich custard cream and mildly sweet red bean paste melt in your mouth, creating an exquisite Japanese-Western collaboration. The custard filling is also popular among women.

Next is "Anmaki" (250 yen), which is a simple bean paste. Even though it contains a lot of red bean paste, it has a light sweetness that makes it easy to eat. If you want to fully enjoy the deliciousness of red bean paste, this red bean paste seems to be a good choice.

And ``Cheese Anmaki'' (270 yen), which has many repeat customers. The saltiness of the cheese cream matches the sweetness of the red bean paste, giving it just the right amount of sweet and salty taste. Yet, it is so delicious that you can eat it all in one go.

The Anmaki fabric is chewy and soft, with a moist and gentle Kanto finish. Even though she may be eating Anmaki for the first time, I think she will enjoy it.

While browsing the storefront, I found a limited-time limited edition ``Strawberry Custard Anmaki'' (390 yen). There are strawberries peeking out from between the fabric, and it's charming enough to catch her eye.

When I tried it, it started with the first bite of strawberry, followed by custard cream and red bean paste, and it was just the best of the best. What's more, there's another strawberry that makes you happy at the end. She will definitely like this too!

Not only can you eat it while walking around, but it might also be a good idea to buy anmaki for your girlfriend as a souvenir. The Daruma doll drawn on the paper bag is also cute, so if you hand it to them at the end of your date, I'm sure they'll be happy.

The owner, who has a bright smile, used to live in Nagoya.

“I want people in the Kanto region to know about the delicious flavors of Nagoya.”

His enthusiasm has reached many people, and now there are people who come not only from Kanto but also all the way from Niigata Prefecture to buy. The deliciousness of this restaurant's red bean paste must be what attracts so many people.

What left an impression on me was the sight of people stopping by on their way to shop and buying anmaki as if it were a normal thing to do. Perhaps Anmaki is already becoming a new specialty of Ikegami.

Anmaki Daruma-ya

Location: 7-1-10 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Access: 1 minutes walk from Ikegami Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line
TEL：03-6410-3553
https://anmaki-darumaya.com/
*Summer vacation from July 7th (Tuesday) to the end of August

Ikegami, where delicious Japanese sweets are gathered, is a hidden date spot in Tokyo

After tasting and comparing the Japanese sweets, I was walking around Ikegami and was deeply impressed. There was a hidden date spot like this in Tokyo.

Just one bite of the plump Kusumochi from Ikedaya, the jewel box-like anmitsu from Asanoya Honpo, and the soft and gentle anmaki from Anmaki no Darumaya will bring a smile to your face. It was so delicious. At each shop, I was moved by the warm smiles of the owners.

Even if you don't have to travel far, just taking a short train ride and visiting Ikegami will make you feel like you've traveled far away. Ikegami is definitely such a city.

Here, you can feel safe inviting your girlfriend and eating Japanese sweets together. Kusu mochi, anmitsu, and anmaki. I wonder which one will make her smile the most...

While imagining this, I found myself starting to send her a message inviting her to a date in Ikegami.

Writer of this article: Daiki Tezuka

profile:
Kotaro Sawaki's ``Midnight Express'' inspired him to become a backpacker who travels around the world. He also enjoys traveling to watch sports events such as the Olympics and the Soccer World Cup. He is currently working as a travel writer. He also writes travel essays and columns.
My favorite places in Ota Ward are Sakurazaka, the banks of the Tamagawa River, and Terminal 3 of Haneda Airport.

Supervision: Satomi Matsumoto/Jun Miyoshi