On December 13, a manju café called “Suginami Manju Honpo” opened in the Izumi-dori Shopping Street of Suginami Ward, Tokyo. The shop features adorable manju stamped with Shiba Inu designs, sold for 80 yen each (tax included). Let’s take a closer look at the shop and its owner.
See 7 more images of the café Suginami Manju Honpo here.
The shop’s signature product, the “Suginami Manju,” is a small, fusion-style manju that combines a castella-like dough with a filling of white bean paste. It’s baked to a golden brown and stamped with one of three Shiba Inu designs that perfectly complement its color. At just 80 yen each (tax included), it’s an exceptionally affordable treat even by today’s standards in Japan.
The Shiba Inu character featured on the stamped designs, “Komachi,” is inspired by the shop owner’s beloved pet (honorary store manager, a female dog). The manju stamp designs were created by designer Maiworlddesign, while the interior artwork was crafted by painter Natsuka Murata, known for her “Shiba Inu and Sweets” series.
The manju are baked using the “Kino-style Automatic Confectionery Machine,” a device originally developed in the early Showa period by the “Kino Ironworks” in Fukuoka Prefecture. Although Kino Ironworks has since closed down, a machine manufacturer in Nagoya has inherited and continues to produce similar machines, one of which was obtained for the shop. At the storefront, customers can watch the manju being baked rhythmically to the retro “clack-clack” sounds of the machine.
Currently, the shop bakes 500 manju per day (as of the end of 2024). Initially, the manju were prepared before the store opened. However, in response to customer requests such as “I want to eat freshly baked manju” and “I want to see the machine in action,” the production schedule was intentionally shifted to later in the day to accommodate these desires.
The couple, both new to the food service industry, are navigating their first venture together through trial and error. Their customer base spans all age groups and genders, with Shiba Inu enthusiasts even visiting from out of town.
The in-store café, “Komachi Chaya,” offers freshly baked manju, Turkish tea, and unique treats like “Manju Pudding à la Mode.” The manju are, of course, available for takeout. If they cool down in the fridge, it’s recommended to wrap them in plastic wrap and warm them in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds to enjoy them at their best.
Additionally, the café serves Mighty Leaf tea, a premium brand from San Francisco that is reportedly offered at certain luxury hotels for 2,000 yen, at the exceptional price of just 800 yen (tax included).
The shop owner, Koji Sato, transitioned to running a manju shop after working for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During his tenure with the police, he was seconded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and gained overseas experience at locations such as the Afghan Embassy and the Istanbul Consulate General. Regarding his motivation for starting the shop, he explained:
“Sweet treats are a luxury, aren’t they? They’re not something essential for life or survival. Reflecting on my career, I realized that being able to freely enjoy sweets is, in a way, a symbol of peace. That’s why I wanted to run a manju shop.”
The shop also offers a designated table for customers with pets. However, due to hygiene considerations, Komachi, the honorary store manager, “rarely comes to work.” Those who do get the chance to meet her can consider themselves lucky!
Suginami Manju Honpo
Address: 1F Rochelle Izumi, 1-22-10 Izumi, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 108-0063
Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Seating: 10 seats
Closed: Weekdays (check official SNS for specific dates)
Phone: 03-6629-4641
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