Sapporo Shinkuraya Main Store, a long-established Japanese sweets shop in Tanukikoji Shopping Street, has a cafe space where you can eat in. In the shop, which has a nostalgic atmosphere, you can enjoy cafe time while savoring Japanese sweets such as the specialty Hanazono Dango, making for a blissful moment. In this article, we will introduce the charm of the cafe space and the popular cafe menu.

Sapporo Shinkuraya, located in the center of Sapporo, is a long-established Japanese sweets store that has been in business since 1960. It was established in Sapporo as a branch of the long-established Otaru store "Shinkuraya." There is also a store in the basement of the Sapporo TV Tower, but this time I visited the main store located in the arcade on 6th Street in Tanukikoji Shopping Street. The exterior has a charming, slightly retro atmosphere that is reminiscent of the Showa era. In front of the store there is a triangular sign that reads "Specialty Hanazono Dango."

The noren curtain of "Hanazono Dango" exudes the feeling of a long-established store.

The shop has an impressive "Hanazono Dango" curtain hanging at the front, and many Japanese sweets are lined up in the showcase.

The sesame and soy sauce dangos are made to order.

In addition to their signature product, "Hanazono Dango" (150 yen per stick), they also offer walnut mochi, three-color dango, and seasonal sweets. When we visited in April, they also had sakura mochi. They all look delicious! The expiration date for Hanazono Dango is the same day, so if you want a sweet that will last longer, be sure to ask the staff for advice.

Beautiful cakes with a traditional, elegant appearance

Sapporo Shinkuraya is known for its Japanese sweets, but they also have Western sweets. On this day, the showcase featured limited-time items such as chocolate gateau (432 yen), baked cheesecake (432 yen), and chestnut Mont Blanc (432 yen).

We also have a wide selection of individually wrapped sweets that can be stored at room temperature and carried around

Be sure to check out the long-loved classics such as "Dorayaki" (180 yen) and "Hokkai Monaka" (237 yen). They are individually wrapped and can be easily carried around at room temperature, making them perfect as souvenirs.

A quiet and relaxing cafe space

Go up the stairs to the second floor. Not only can you buy sweets such as dango to take home, but you can also eat in at the cafe space on the second floor. The cafe space has a relaxed atmosphere with spaciously arranged tables. It is not contrived, but rather a natural and casual Showa retro feel. You can tell that this is a shop that has been loved in this area for a long time.

The tables and chairs are large and spacious.

When you sit down at the table with comfortable chairs that are not too soft, you will feel a sense of nostalgia even though it is your first visit. It is a space with a mysterious charm. It is open from 10am until 5pm, so it seems like it can be used in a variety of ways.

The "Hanazono Dango 5-piece Set" is a fun way to compare different flavors and comes with a drink (1,160 yen)

A must-try in the cafe area is the "Hanazono Dango" (150 yen per stick). There are five different flavors: black bean paste, matcha bean paste, white bean paste, sesame, and soy sauce. You can order just one of your favorite dangos, but we recommend the "Hanazono Dango 5-piece Set" (1,160 yen) which includes a drink. They're so cute you'll want to take a photo of them.

Not only are the dangos visually stunning, but they are also all delicious.

The bean paste, which is placed on top using a technique called Yamagata Itto-ryu, is beautifully flowing. After savoring the glossy soy sauce and delicate black sesame seeds, it's time to taste it. The soft, fluffy, and chewy dango is so delicious that you'll want to keep eating it even though it's voluminous.

Coffee that pairs well with Japanese sweets

The set includes a choice of coffee, tea, cola, or orange juice. The coffee comes in a retro cup and saucer, which matches the atmosphere of the shop.

Savory grilled hot sandwich

They also have a light meal menu. The "Hot Sandwich" (700 yen) comes with salad and a mini dessert and comes in two flavors: ham and cheese and tuna mayo. For an additional 300 yen, you can add a drink set. Ordering a hot sandwich for lunch and adding a dango or other dessert is sure to make for a happy lunchtime experience.

Anmitsu with beautiful glossy bean paste

In addition to the classic Hanazono Dango, they also have a wide variety of other sweets. In the warmer months, agar sweets such as anmitsu and mitsumame are especially popular.

Agar with the flavor of brown sugar syrup

Another attraction is the "Anmitsu" (730 yen), a sweet that can only be found at a Japanese confectionery shop! The agar, which is refreshing to the eye, has a smooth texture that goes down well. The rich, deep sweetness of the red bean paste is topped with plenty of gyuhi, red peas for an accent, and fruit, making it a very satisfying meal.

Sapporo Shinkuraya Main Store is a Japanese confectionery shop located on Tanukikoji 6-chome. It is a long-established store that retains the atmosphere of the Showa era in the arcade street crowded with foreign tourists. It is recommended not only to buy the specialty dango to take home, but also to spend a slightly retro tea time after a stroll through Tanukikoji Shopping Street.

*All prices are current as of the time of reporting. All prices include tax.