In Tomakomai, the nostalgic taste of cream puffs is a favorite among locals. In the past, a popular gift for visits or special occasions was a box of three-star Western-style sweets, with cream puffs and Baumkuchen being the most popular choices. While cream puffs have become smaller in size since then, they still maintain a retro charm and a timeless appeal. The moist choux pastry filled with a generous amount of simple cream, subtly flavored with a hint of rum according to a friend who knows a lot about sweets, is what makes them so delicious.

I found a new Three Star store in MaxValu while aiming to conquer all the Three Star stores. It seems like there is a Three Star store wherever you go in Tomakomai. This local sweets shop does not sell bread! They had cakes and sweets, but no bread. And because it is a small store, there were no "store-limited" items. They had 13 types of cakes. The Apple Pie was 250 yen. The apples were placed on top of the pie instead of inside it. The pie crust was crispy! There was no custard, but a thin layer of sponge cake at the bottom. The stewed apples were more sour than expected, but I liked it. The apples were generously mixed in and it was a delicious Apple Pie! Thank you for the meal!

I visited the MaxValu in Hanazono-cho, Tomakomai. I purchased a bag of Agekusuke (450 yen) around 12:00 on a weekday. I paid with WAON. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Tomakomai people may be well aware that recently, the area is not as bustling as it used to be. Along the national highway, there is the Sansei Main Store in Itoi, which used to be a stop for tourist buses. On weekends, people would line up to buy soft-serve ice cream. The most famous item here is the "Yoitomake" cake. The name "Yoitomake" originated from the son of the former owner of Sansei, who wanted to create a sweet treat that represented Tomakomai. The cake is shaped like a log, inspired by the lumber mills that were common in Tomakomai. The chant used when lifting and lowering the log with a pulley was "Yoitto make," which led to the name "Yoitomake." This cake is greatly loved, but it has become smaller and more expensive due to economic downturn and the scarcity of the key ingredient, Haskap berries. The scarcity of Haskap berries led to the creation of "Yoitomake Strawberry" as a new variation. Sansei is popular for its cakes, bread, and sweets, with branches in various locations and even booths in supermarkets. The writer shares their favorite cakes from Sansei, including the "Hawaiian" and the nostalgic "Butter Cake." They also highly recommend the "An Donut" as the best they have tasted. Additionally, they mention the famous "Sherbet" pastry, shaped like a caldera volcano, filled with cream. Overall, the writer expresses their love for Sansei's sweets and pastries.