When you come to Asakusa, besides visiting the famous Kaminarimon Gate, paying a visit to Sensoji Temple, and strolling through Nakamise-dori to buy souvenirs, the most important thing is to try all the delicious Asakusa street food! Asakusa’s food culture is characterized by many affordable snacks and treats, and this time, I tried “Asakusa Kagetsudo,” which was established in 1945 during the Showa era. Its popularity can be seen from the fact that it has opened four branches around Asakusa. Their crispy ice cream pineapple buns are especially famous and a must-try when visiting Asakusa!
How to Get to Asakusa Kagetsudo?
- Address: 1-18-11 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
- Business hours: 10:00~17:00
- Official website
Visiting the Asakusa Hanayashiki Raimon branch, located in a small alley on the left side of Nakamise Street. From the famous Asakusa landmark Raimon, turn left onto Nakamise Street and you will see it in just one minute. The Raimon branch is almost always crowded, and I was lucky to capture an empty shot.
Must Read: 9 Best Things to Do in Asakusa to Help You Capture 100 Years of Tokyo within a Day
Asakusa Hanayashiki Restaurant Ordering and Dining Suggestions
In addition to selling classic pineapple bread, Asakusa Hanayashiki also offers ice cream and Japanese desserts. After joining the queue, I ordered a chocolate-flavored ice cream pineapple bread. When ordering, you can directly say the English name of the flavor, which is listed in the top three sales on the menu.
As Piao Er is a symbol of spring, I couldn’t try the summer limited edition “Jumbo Melon Pan Hami Melon Pineapple Bread”. If you come in summer, I strongly recommend trying the melon bread that made Hua Yue Tang famous.
In Asakusa, it is forbidden to eat while walking, which is actually the same throughout Japan. Even though many tourist attractions have street food stalls, the Japanese rule is to buy and stand at the entrance of the shop to eat. However, because Hana-Gekidan has indoor seating, customers can sit down and enjoy their meal after receiving their order.
Chocolate Flavored Ice Cream Pineapple Bread
When I actually got my hands on it, I didn’t think the pineapple bread from Hua Yue Tang was as big as I imagined, and the shape seemed quite casual… But after all, this kind of hot and crispy, rich and fragrant pineapple bread was originated from Hua Yue Tang, and you can still feel the unique crispness and sugar powder taste of their pineapple bread when eating on site.
The chocolate ice cream inside is not particularly special, just with added flavor.
Perhaps the crispy ice cream pineapple bread from Kyogetsu has been popular for a while now, and many shops have copied and made it even better. Although Kyogetsu has the title of selling 3,000 pineapple breads a day in Asakusa, it is now just a snack worth trying when visiting tourist attractions. After all, at 200 yen per large pineapple bread, it is both cost-effective and has the flavor of Asakusa!
Other Asakusa food recommendations: 【Asakusa Food】10 Affordable Asakusa Snacks and Queuing Restaurants You Can’t Miss
One-day Tour of Attractions around Asakusa
【Morning】Visit Sensoji Temple, Shop at Nakamise Shopping Street → 【Afternoon】Stroll in Ueno Park, Shop at Ameyoko → 【Evening】Walk along Sumida River Park → Enjoy the Night View from Skytree Tembo Deck → Shop at Tokyo Solamachi
The itinerary in Asakusa is often combined with a one-day trip to Ueno and Tokyo Skytree, which are very close by. The above is the recommended itinerary route that I suggest, which is smoother to walk. You can also refer to Tokyo Asakusa one-day trip itinerary route arrangement for detailed transportation connections and fun attractions.
- Ueno: Ueno & Okachimachi Complete Guide: Sightseeing Guide near Ueno Station
- Ameyoko: Ameyoko Complete Guide: Food, Cosmetics, and Shopping
- Asakusa: [Tokyo Asakusa Attractions] Sensoji Temple – Recommended Walking Route
- Skytree: [Tokyo Skytree Guide] Attractions, Night Views, Transportation, and Shopping Malls
- Origin of Japanese Lucky Cat: Imado Shrine: The Love Shrine Most Popular Among Japanese Women
Ultimate Tokyo Food Guide: 20 Best Japanese Foods to Try in Tokyo