We recently returned from a trip to Japan, and our heads are still spinning from thinking about all the delicious food we ate while there. Watch this space for more Japan travel food content, but in the meantime, here is a taste of what is to come. First up on our trip recap is a place we have had on our “must-visit” list for years, Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory (2 Chome-7-5 Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0003, Japan). The signature cream puffs are made in the shape of the character Totoro (star of the 1988 animated film My Neighbor Totoro), one of the famous mythical creatures from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. Shirohige’s is owned by Miyazaki’s sister-in-law, and is actually authorized to manufacture cream puffs in this special shape.
The cream puffs come in one size and a variety of flavors: standard flavors custard and chocolate (600 yen apiece), and more rotating seasonal flavors including matcha, strawberry, chestnut and mango (640 yen), each indicated by a different hat or decoration. Plan My Japan has a list of the seasonal flavors for each month, ours were strawberry and matcha in June. We heard rumors of long lines, but when we arrived just before opening at 11 AM on a weekday there were only a few people ahead of us. In addition to the cream puffs, you can buy other small souvenirs or even boxed shortbread cookies in the shape of the smallest (chibi) Totoro, which made the perfect gift from friends and family at home. Be aware that the Kichijoji store itself is quite tiny, fitting only 2 or 3 at a time, and at this location there is no seating. There is another Shirohige location in the Tokyo area that has more seating, if that is a deal breaker (5 Chome-3-1 Daita, Setagaya City, Tokyo 155-0033, Japan). However, the Kichijoji store is closer to the Ghibli Museum, making it a natural stop on a Ghibli-filled day (which is what we did).
Even though it is considered a bit declasse to do so in Japan, we just ate our cream puffs right in front of the shop. Now, onto the cream puffs themselves… even the pickiest among us devoured them! The filling was generous and the pastry was fresh and crisp, and not soggy at all. The matcha and chocolate fillings were particular favorites. We highly recommended Shirohige’s for fans of Studio Ghibli and good pastry alike. Very rarely does a place that has earned Instagram fame due to its aesthetic creations live up to the hype. Fortunately, Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory does just that.
Eating The World 