A taiyaki specialty shop located a 2-minute walk from Azabu-Juban Station in Tokyo, known for being one of the top 100 sweet shops in 2022. This long-established shop has an eat-in space, but due to a shortage of staff, there are days when only take-out orders are available, so be aware! When I visited around 5 pm, I had to wait for about 30 minutes. I made a reservation and picked up my order 30 minutes later. It was convenient not to have to wait! The shop, founded in 1909, is a famous taiyaki shop that served as the model for "Ame-taiyaki-kun." The taiyaki is priced at 200 yen, which is very reasonable for such a renowned shop. Contrary to what I expected, the taiyaki had a thin skin through which you could see the red bean paste inside. The crispy and fragrant skin, paired with the chewy and refined red bean paste, is absolutely irresistible. It is my top choice for taiyaki! A moderate size makes it perfect as a snack or a sought-after souvenir. I will definitely come back.

I made a reservation on Monday at 12 o'clock and went to buy just one item. I had heard that the waiting time for the Azabu-Juban Noryo Festival was 3 hours, but when I passed by here three times, every time they told me there was a 2-hour wait, so I couldn't place an order now! When I called, I tried to give them the quantity, time, name, and even my phone number, but they cut me off, even though I had been there several times before. I arrived 2-3 minutes early and easily made my purchase without waiting. The customers behind me were able to buy their items smoothly when they went, so if it's not the weekend, you may not have to wait that long. When I went to pay 200 yen, I took out the money and didn't know who to pay, so when I tried to go further in, they stopped me and told me to pay at the counter first! It was a bit scary, so next time I'll buy at Edogawa Bridge or Asakusa. Places like Yanagiya in Ningyocho or Wakaba in Yotsuya can have long lines, but I didn't feel that way there. The staff at the back or on the second floor were quite friendly, but ordering here is a bit tricky. It was delicious and thank you for the meal.

Ma/Bu/Ju/Go: Kanmidokoro Naniwakasouhon-ten ("Yakisoba, Taiyaki, and Ice Strawberry") I've been craving yakisoba for a few days now, so I decided to visit this place. Yesterday, they were closed due to staffing issues, so I called today to confirm they were open. Established in 1909, this longstanding taiyaki specialty store has been faithfully following traditional production methods. It is said to be the shop that first invented taiyaki in Japan and is well-known for their delicious taiyaki. While everyone has their own preference, this shop is one of the "Big Three Taiyaki Shops in Japan." The other two are Wakaba in Yotsuya (established in 1953) and Yanagiya in Ningyocho (established in 1916). However, today I visited specifically for their popular yakisoba dish! The yakisoba was simply seasoned but incredibly tasty, light and easy to eat. Adding a bit of sauce midway through enhances the depth of flavor. Delicious! Next up was taiyaki and ice cream with hojicha (roasted green tea). The piping hot taiyaki had a crispy exterior and was filled with plenty of red bean paste. It was a classic that never gets old. To finish off, I had probably the last ice strawberry of the summer, and it was excellent! It was a tasty meal. Thank you for the feast!

I took it home. It was the first time I had ever had a taiyaki that was so crispy. It was burnt and fragrant, and delicious. Taiyaki goes well with milk. I bought a drink at the nearby convenience store and ate it in the car, and the kind store clerk even gave me a wet wipe for the taiyaki. I think it was FamilyMart.

I took the food home. There was a notice at the store saying reservations were required, so I wasn't sure if I could buy anything. However, when I asked the staff, they said it was okay because they were currently baking. I purchased five pieces for 200 yen each. I was looking forward to eating them, but the skins were too hard to eat comfortably. My friend, who bought them with me, said the same. It was disappointing. If I have the chance, I will try eating them at the café.

In Japan, this shop may be one of the most famous when it comes to "taiyaki" (fish-shaped cake with sweet filling). It is said to be one of the top three taiyaki shops in Japan, along with Wakaba in Yotsuya (established in 1953), Yanagiya in Ningyocho (established in 1916), and Naniwaya in Azabu-Juban (established in 1909). Among them, Naniwaya is probably the most well-known shop. Their taiyaki has a thin and crispy crust, and you can enjoy a good amount of filling from head to tail. The filling is not too sweet, with a perfect balance. It seems that there is often a line, but I was able to buy it without waiting when I visited around 2 pm on a weekday. It was truly delicious! Thank you for the meal!

Delicious taiyaki! The sweetness is just right and it's really good! The skin is thin and because they are lined up, you can eat them fresh. However, it's not worth waiting in line for a long time. On weekends, you can get a numbered ticket and wait in order. Depending on the time, you might be able to go in without waiting, so it's lucky when that happens and I end up buying some.

With the chewy texture being popular right now, this place competes with its deliciousness in a crispy thin crust with a burnt aroma! The taiyaki are cooked individually as natural products. The deliciousness comes from not being mass-produced.

I have been to Azabu-Juuban many times, but I didn't know about some famous restaurants until now, thanks to sites like Tabelog. Finally, I visited Naniwaya Souhonten for the first time. Reviews mentioned that you need to make a reservation and wait for about 3-40 minutes, so I was a bit anxious. However, when I arrived, there was no one in front of the shop. I was told that I could buy them immediately without a reservation. What luck! I bought three, ate one on the spot, and took the other two home. The thin skin and see-through filling were unique to this shop. Although the size is small, the crunchy skin and hot filling were well-balanced. The filling was not too much, giving it a classic taste. When I stopped by the cafe on the second floor, there was already a line forming. I warmed up the leftovers in the microwave and then toasted them to enjoy them almost as if they were just made. They were delicious as well. Azabu-Juuban has so many delicious options, but I would love to visit this shop again. Thank you for the meal!

It must have been over 10 years since I last ate taiyaki. I probably had it during the winter in Nihonbashi when I lived there, at Yanagiya in Amazake Yokocho in Ningyocho with my wife. The three famous taiyaki shops in Tokyo are "Yanagiya," "Wakaba" in Yotsuya, and this shop. I have never visited this shop in Azabu-Juban before. I have no intention of comparing taiyaki from different shops, as I just wanted to support this long-established shop. I decided to try it after having some soba. It cost only 180 yen, which was cheaper than I expected. It was smaller than the ones at Yanagiya, but I prefer smaller sizes for tea snacks. The tail part was crispy and had a subtle burnt flavor, which made it delicious. I stood at a discreet spot beside the shop to eat it. It may be bad manners, but it seemed acceptable for taiyaki. It tasted good, especially on a cold winter day.

After several months, I visited the second floor of Naniwaya Cafe in Naniwa House Main Store and tried a full course of yakisoba, shaved ice (Uji sweet potato flavor), and taiyaki. So far, the taiyaki here is my favorite. The filling is rich, the skin is crispy, and it's just delicious! I'm getting addicted to the yakisoba too. Thank you for the meal.

The origin of the "taiyaki"?! I was curious about this place, so I finally tried it out in the morning when there wasn't much of a line. My favorite taiyaki is from Tenon in Kichijoji, but this one didn't quite live up to my expectations - I'd rate it 3.0 stars. It's worth trying once, I suppose.

On 8/26, after dining at Azabu Jyuban Matsugen, I decided to stop by Senbei Yaki to buy some taiyaki for my wife, but they said it would take a few hours for the taiyaki to be ready. Instead, I bought some pre-made yakisoba. In the end, I ended up eating it myself. As for the taste, the acidity of the sauce was slightly strong.

Three of the best taiyaki shops in Japan! The thin crispy skin is filled with red bean paste from head to tail! The filling is not too sweet, thanks to a unique blend of Tokachi red beans and original red bean paste. The deliciousness is top-notch and unquestionable, making you want to come back for more!

I tried a sweet shop for the first time. It was a weekday, but it was almost full, so I was lucky to get in quickly. Although I had planned to just have shaved ice because it was hot out, I suddenly felt like trying the popular yakisoba and ended up ordering it. It was very delicious! I have never tried yakisoba before, so I would like to try it next time.

Today, I visited Naniwaya Sohonten, a taiyaki (fish-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste) shop located in Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Naniwaya Sohonten is known for its taiyaki which is a popular gift item loved by many. It is considered one of the top three taiyaki shops in Tokyo along with Yanagiya in Ningyocho and Wakaba in Yotsuya. Each taiyaki is carefully made using natural ingredients, and I decided to purchase several boxes as gifts for my daughter's family and son's family, as they always appreciate it. The shop also has a seating area on the second floor where customers can enjoy their taiyaki on the spot. The taiyaki is priced at 200 yen each, slightly increased from the usual 180 yen due to the current circumstances. The taiyaki is available in boxes of 5, 6, or 10 pieces, with the 6-piece and 10-piece options being more common. Although the appearance may not be visually appealing, the use of top-quality Tokachi red beans and a unique recipe for the sweet red bean paste make these taiyaki delicious regardless of who eats them. The shop is always busy, and waiting for freshly baked taiyaki can be a challenge. While I didn't find the taiyaki to be mind-blowingly delicious upon immediate consumption, they do taste exceptionally good after being left for a day. The flavor remains consistent and does not diminish. Overall, Naniwaya Sohonten is a top-notch shop, and I will definitely visit again. Thank you.

Here is the restaurant where Yakikun's performance takes place. It is known for having a thin and crispy skin. The small-sized taiyaki is perfect for just a little snack. The traditional building has a nostalgic charm that makes me happy. We can't help but sing sadly, "Every day, every day, we are cooked on the hot plate and it becomes unbearable."

A delicious taiyaki with crispy skin and plenty of red bean paste filling all the way to the tail!! The sweetness of the red bean paste was also mild, so I could easily finish it after lunch. I went to buy it at the perfect time, as I was able to buy it quickly and ate it while a line formed.

Tokyo's natural taiyaki, Yotsuya, Ningyocho, and Azabu-Juban are all famous and considered the "Big Three." I visited for the first time in several years around 6pm on a Saturday. When I peeked into the alley leading to the shop, there was no line... it seemed like I could buy without waiting. As I approached the shop, I felt a rush of hot air from inside! It was cooler outside! Even at this time, with temperatures exceeding 32 degrees on a scorching hot day with temperatures over 35 degrees during the day... a staff member came out of the shop and asked, "How many pieces? Starting from 5 pieces, you can get a boxed set." I paid for 4 pieces and quickly received my package, feeling the crispy texture of the freshly baked skin. Although I have visited several times before and had to give up due to the long wait caused by many reservations... today, thanks to the heat, I was able to buy without waiting, I suppose. :-) What has not been posted before? - Ordered taiyaki: 200 yen x 4 pieces (tax included) - Taste: The skin is thin enough to see the anko through it. Among the "Big Three," it has a moderate sweetness and saltiness, making it easy to eat with a balanced taste. The skin is crispy and filled with anko all the way up to the tail, making it delicious. It has thickness and a satisfying texture. - Evaluation: Considering the location and the fact that it is a natural taiyaki, it is reasonably priced and tasty, with a high rating. Today, I was able to buy without waiting, thanks to the scorching heat. I am grateful to the craftsmen who baked the taiyaki in such a hot weather. General evaluation: +0.1 for being a long-established shop.

My soul food living in Minato-ku is the taiyaki and yakisoba from Naniwaya. As a child, the hit song "Oyoge Taiyaki-kun" sung by Shimon Masato was inspired by this taiyaki. You can enjoy them at the shop on the second floor, but I often take them home. The freshly made taiyaki with crispy skin is delicious, I even eat it in the car! On weekdays, you can usually buy them immediately, but on weekends or holidays, it's better to call ahead to reserve and pick up. I've been told to wait for 2 hours without a reservation. When I have some free time during a stroll in Azabujuban, I make a reservation, pass the time, and go pick them up to hear the old man saying "welcome back". In the summer, you can also enjoy shaved ice on the second floor, which I used to go with my children. Even now, my high school-aged children say "I want to eat yakisoba" when passing by Azabujuban. The yakisoba here has a unique flavor that you must try along with the taiyaki!

I finally conquered the three famous taiyaki shops in Tokyo - Yanagiya in Ningyocho, Wakaba in Yotsuya, and Naniwaya in Azabu-Juban. Unfortunately, I can't recall much about Wakaba because it was so long ago. These shops are known for their taiyaki with a thin, crispy texture and a sweet red bean paste filling that's not too sweet. The slightly burnt parts at the head, fins, and tail are also considered part of the flavor. Each time I eat these traditional taiyaki in Tokyo, it reminds me of the ones sold in front of the public bathhouse in Kawagoe when I was a child. I used to think that the thick and sweet ones were the norm, but my first bite of Yanagiya's taiyaki was truly unforgettable. It happened when I was in kindergarten during the "Oyoge! Taiyaki-kun" craze. The taiyaki stalls were everywhere in Kawagoe, and Naniwaya was the model for the song's character. To experience such a moving reunion at the age of 50 is rare. Food has the power to evoke emotions, even something as simple and affordable as taiyaki. Despite the usual long lines, I was able to purchase six taiyaki without much of a wait. Each piece was carefully wrapped in paper bags and a wooden box, and the total for six was a reasonable 1200 yen. The wooden box helped retain the steam from the freshly baked taiyaki, showing the care and affection put into the preparation. The subtle sweetness of the red bean paste was exquisite, making it a perfect pair with coffee. We even warmed them up in a toaster and enjoyed them as a family.