On March 27, three shops will simultaneously open on the south ticket gate side of Tokyo’s Takanawa Gateway Station: the in-station cream puff factory “MAISON CLASSIC FACTORY,” the in-station lounge “MAISON CLASSIC SALON,” and the in-station coffee stand “MAISON CLASSIC CAFE.” Prior to the opening, a preview tasting event was held for the media.
Here are the menus from each MAISON CLASSIC brand location, along with 10 additional images.“TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY,” which is directly connected to Takanawa Gateway Station and aims to become a new hub for culture and business, officially opened on March 27.
Located on the third floor just outside the south ticket gate, the takeout cream puff specialty shop “MAISON CLASSIC FACTORY” features a glass-walled factory overlooking the station, where visitors can watch the cream puffs being made—offering a fully immersive experience.
The choux pastry comes in three different textures, ranging from soft to firm and hearty, allowing customers to choose their preferred consistency. According to the shop, while the cream puffs are delicious freshly baked, they also recommend enjoying them after they’ve cooled, when the flavors and textures—such as the caramel—have settled. Refrigeration is recommended after taking them home.
The signature item is the “Brûlée Cream Puff,” where visitors can watch the caramelization process through the glass. Custard cream is filled into the choux pastry, then topped with cassonade sugar and caramelized with a hot iron. The roasted aroma of the burnt sugar contrasts with the rich sweetness of the custard, resulting in a harmonious blend of the choux pastry’s flavor, the custard’s richness, and the bitterness of the caramel. Only 60 pieces are available at each of the following times daily: 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, and 17:00.
“MAISON CLASSIC SALON” is a tea salon and bar lounge located next to the cream puff factory “MAISON CLASSIC FACTORY.” During the day, it operates as a tea salon where guests can enjoy freshly baked Dutch baby pancakes and their signature teas. At night, it transforms into a bar lounge offering original cocktails and a house gin created in collaboration with “Tokyo Hachioji Distillery.”
The “Takanawa Brest” is a specially created sweet to commemorate the opening of Takanawa Gateway City. Its shape and color are inspired by the Yamanote Line and train wheels. It also carries the wish that, just like a train that starts its journey from a terminal station and eventually returns, people will travel and ultimately come back. The choux pastry is made with cocoa powder and filled with a combination of Tosa bergamot confiture, matcha cream, chocolate cream, date purée, and griotte cherry purée. Developer Matsuura commented, “The idea and inspiration came from the Paris-Brest,” and added, “We expressed a Japanese-style Earl Grey using matcha and bergamot.”
The “Dutch Baby Pancake” is made using the same ingredients as the choux pastry from “MAISON CLASSIC FACTORY.” It’s designed to strike a balance—neither too heavy nor too light—offering both ease of eating and satisfying volume. Customers can choose between a sweet set with fruits, confiture, and cream served on a separate plate, or a savory set featuring items like bacon, soft-boiled egg, and avocado. Prices start at ¥1,980.
Matsuura also stated, “A major focus for us is conveying the deliciousness of handmade products,” adding, “Considering labor shortages and efficiency, it’s difficult to make everything from scratch in-store. However, by establishing our own factory, we’re able to produce everything starting from the dough.”
“MAISON CLASSIC CAFE,” the only café located inside the ticket gates at Takanawa Gateway Station, offers house-roasted coffee and sandwiches made with roasted brown rice flour. The sandwiches use bread baked at “MAISON CLASSIC FACTORY,” which brings out a rich aroma, depth of flavor, sweetness, and umami.
The café also offers a house-made gelato, “Gelato (Boiled Azuki & Uji Matcha Gelato).” It’s topped with boiled azuki beans made from 100% Hokkaido-grown azuki and shiratama (mochi dumplings). The texture and flavor of the azuki enhance the taste of the matcha gelato, resulting in a freshly made dessert that is rich in flavor and smooth in texture.
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