"Matsushima-ya" is one of the three famous dorayaki (sweet bean-filled pancake) shops in Tokyo, along with "Gunrindou" and "Mizuho." This was my third visit. In reality, I've been here more times, but if you don't make a reservation beforehand, there won't be anything left, so it's important to always reserve in advance. This time, I came to pick up Matsushima-ya's chestnut steamed yokan, which is a seasonal delicacy at this time of year. Reservations for the chestnut steamed yokan start after the Bon festival, and sales start in September, with reservations taken only by phone. On the reservation start day, it's impossible to get through on the phone, so I gave up and called the next day, and connected right away. I requested the earliest date, which happened to be today, the Autumn Equinox Day, for pick up. At the time of reservation, I also ordered the chestnut steamed yokan, dorayaki, and the kibi daifuku that I was impressed with from last year. By the way, this year's chestnut steamed yokan is already sold out (laughs). Access: It's located in a quiet residential area up a steep hill from Sengakuji Station. It looks like a seriously old-fashioned dumpling shop (laughs). Review: 1. Chestnut Steamed Yokan (3000 yen): I immediately had it at home that night. It's my third time having Matsushima-ya's chestnut steamed yokan in a year, and it goes beyond my memory in terms of deliciousness! The yokan is what stands out as delicious! The perfect balance of sweetness, depth, and gentleness! This is a masterpiece for sure. Honestly, I want more yokan and less chestnuts because I want to enjoy the yokan to the fullest (laughs). I understand why those with a sweet tooth target Matsushima-ya's chestnut steamed yokan. 2. Kibi Daifuku (210 yen): Another masterpiece. The texture is like burnt rice and has a grainy texture, which is endearing. When you chew it, the distinctive aroma of kibi is irresistible. It's gentle but you can feel the uniqueness of kibi. 3. Dorayaki (210 yen): I had been into Osaki's "Takamatsu-ya," which spun off from Matsushima-ya, but after trying the original dorayaki again after a long time, this is indeed delicious! The salty accent of Takamatsu-ya is clear and easy to understand. However, Matsushima-ya's dorayaki has a deep quality to it! The taste of the beans is intense, and the sweet red bean filling is perfect. Honestly, I'm not easily impressed by Gunrindou or Mizuho, but Matsushima-ya's dorayaki might be my number one. By the way, when I tried to make a reservation for the chestnut steamed yokan at Takamatsu-ya, I got a voicemail saying that the husband had been injured and they would be taking a break, which was concerning.

This shop in Takanawa has been around for over 100 years. It is famous for its bean daifuku, which was also favored by the Showa Emperor, and is popular as a souvenir. It does not offer online shopping, so you have to visit the shop in order to buy their products, which adds to its uniqueness. The shop is known for having long lines even before it opens, but thankfully, you can make reservations in advance. Even with a reservation, you still have to wait in line to pick up your order, but since the items are already packed in paper bags, the time spent on ordering and packing is saved. In addition to the popular bean daifuku, they also offer black sugar daifuku and grass daifuku, as well as items like mitarashi dango, sekihan, and chestnut-packed chestnut yokan. The anko (sweet bean paste) is elegant and not too sweet, making their daifuku very delicious. The popular bean daifuku, in particular, combines well with the salt flavor, making it so tasty that you'll want to eat two or three in a row. It's a delicious daifuku that would be appreciated as a gift, and that you'll also want to buy for yourself.

I had some business in Shirokanenashi so I decided to stop by Matsushima-ya which I had been curious about. I arrived around 12 o'clock. They had only one pack of mitarashi dango left. Although it was more than I needed, they were not willing to sell them individually so I had to buy the whole pack. While waiting to pay, the staff was constantly receiving reservation calls, making them look very busy. Mitraashi dango (5 pieces) 900 yen, Mame-daifuku 210 yen, Kusa-daifuku 210 yen. Matsushima-ya is one of the "Three Famous Daifuku in Tokyo" (Gunrindo, Zuisho, Matsushima-ya). The texture was quite firm, either due to getting hard quickly or simply being hard from the start. When I had it in the evening, it had a pretty solid texture. Maybe it's due to low moisture content? Since it's not individually wrapped, the surface hardens quickly. The mitarashi dango had a very rich mitarashi sauce.

Zenpuku-ji Station and Shirokanetakanawa Station are the nearest stations to this shop. You have to climb a hill from both stations. This shop is famous for being a long-established store and one of the top three soybean daifuku shops in Tokyo. It seems like they have already sold out of their grass daifuku and mitarashi dango. Soybean Daifuku - 210 yen A thin skin with a mildly sweet bean paste filling, and the salted beans add a nice touch. It's not heavy, you can enjoy it with a crispy texture. Kibi Daifuku - 210 yen The unique texture of kibi adds to its character, and with a thin skin, it's a clean finish. The deliciousness truly lives up to the title of one of the top three soybean daifuku shops in Tokyo. I would like to try other products as well.

I bought the popular mame, kusa, and kibi daifuku from Matsushima-ya in Shirokanetakanawa for a gift box for our business partners! It was worth getting off at Shirokanetakanawa in the scorching heat as there were still some left! The sweetness is moderate and very delicious, so I am satisfied. We always enjoy it!

Arrived around 9:40 am on a regular day. Only 2 customers ahead of me. I live nearby but never noticed this shop because the shutter was always down. Recently heard from a friend that this shop is their favorite and found out they often sell out by lunchtime. As a night owl, this shop was not on my radar, but being a fan of sweet bean paste, I decided to wake up early and pay a visit. I bought 3 recommended bean daifuku and grass daifuku each. It was a bit much for one person, but I couldn't resist buying more. When I got home, I immediately tried a bite of the bean daifuku. The large beans had a firm texture and the sweet bean paste had just the right amount of sweetness that made me involuntarily exclaim. The thin mochi skin didn't overpower the flavor of the bean paste, which was perfect. The grass daifuku had the same bean paste as the bean daifuku, but the mochi was thicker and chewier, making me appreciate the mochi texture even more. Ate all of them in one day. If you want to indulge in a luxurious sweet bean paste day, this is the place for you.

【2022 Top 100 Stores】During the pandemic, I visited once when it was closed. Today, on my way to Takanawa, I got off one station earlier and found "Matsushima-ya", an old-looking shop with a history. On the left side, there was a large mochi cake on display. I chose bean daifuku and bean mochi to try. - Bean Daifuku: 200 yen for two. It's quite salty, not very sweet. The texture of the black beans is nice. - Bean Mochi: 200 yen. It feels like eating just the skin of an anko-less daifuku. The black beans are seasoned with salt, and as you chew, the sweetness gradually comes out. I later found out that this place is known as one of the top 3 bean daifuku in Tokyo. It sometimes sells out within minutes of opening.

At Shinsenji Temple's Matsushima-ya, I had a daifuku. Although I love sweets, I usually don't eat Japanese traditional sweets, but recently I've been trying some from the list of famous shops. This time, my gourmet friends bought some from Matsushima-ya at Shinsenji Temple. It's a well-known store for Japanese traditional sweets lovers. In particular, their bean daifuku is one of Tokyo's top three bean daifuku, and it's so popular that it sells out in the morning. Incredible! Thank you so much for bringing it! While the size is normal, from the moment you pick it up, you can feel how soft and chewy it is. This has to be delicious... I couldn't resist and immediately took a bite, and the mochi was pleasantly chewy and very tasty. The outer layer of mochi isn't too thick, but it has a nice firmness to it. The red bean paste inside is elegantly sweet and really delicious. I always think famous shops have such delicious red bean paste. I never get tired of it. The red bean paste is packed inside, so there's a lot of satisfaction in each bite. The balance between the mochi and red bean paste is absolutely wonderful. No wonder it's so popular. It was delicious.

This is a review of the famous Sanedaibukkuk at Matsumiya in Tokyo. I love Sanedaibukkuk, and have eaten many of them before. This time, I froze the one I bought and ate it after defrosting. Surprisingly, this was the most delicious Sanedaibukkuk I have ever had. Freezing did not affect the taste at all! The beans had a great texture, and the sweetness of the red bean paste was just right. The size was decent, providing a satisfying eating experience. It's a Sanedaibukkuk that makes you want to eat more!

Cloudy Saturday around 11:15 am visit. There were 3 customers before me, but since they were all for takeout, I was able to make my purchase within 3 minutes. More customers came later on, so there was a continuous flow of people, although the line wasn't too long. It seems that they often sell out in the afternoon. I bought 2 pieces of bean daifuku for 200 yen each. I hadn't been here since about 10 years ago when I first tried their bean daifuku, but I was craving it so much that I had to come back. The taste was just as unforgettable as I remembered. Even after so long, it was still amazing! The sweet red bean paste wasn't overly sweet, but just the right amount. The salty taste and aroma of the beans really stood out. Or perhaps, the beans were enhancing the sweetness of the paste. The store maintains a retro Showa era charm amidst the developing city. I hope this daifuku shop continues to stay for a long time.

Phone reservations are accepted. If there is a line at the store, even for those with reservations, you will need to wait in line. The shop has a white noren curtain. They offer three types of daifuku, and their mitarashi dango has a sweet, generously-filled red bean paste wrapped in a thin mochi skin. Once you start eating the anko, you won't be able to stop. The kibi mochi was also very easy to eat and delicious. The mame daifuku had a great bean flavor. The dango with a jelly-like, sticky mitarashi sauce has a nice charcoal flavor.

I changed the price of the bean daifuku to 200 yen and the grass daifuku to 200 yen. When I went to the shop around 1:00, most of them were sold out, and these 5 daifuku were sold out. I chose the grass daifuku, and the sweetness of the red bean paste was also mild and very delicious.

Located between Shinagawa Station and Sengakuji Temple, "Matsumotoya" is one of the top three bean daifuku establishments in Tokyo. Established in 1918, it is known for selling out quickly, even on weekdays. You can reserve daifuku for pick-up until 2:00 p.m. The freshly made daifuku has a perfect balance of soft mochi and moist red bean paste. The mochi is thin yet elastic, while the red adzuki beans add a delicious texture. The rich, well-cooked paste with a hint of salt enhances the sweetness. The water yokan, made from fresh red beans, has a refined sweetness that contrasts nicely with the daifuku. Comparing the top three bean daifuku in Tokyo is an interesting experience, and "Matsumotoya" stands out for its quality and balance.

There is a ¥100 bus in the area of many slopes, far from the station, called Chiibasu. It is convenient to take it from Shinagawa on JR or Shirokanetakanawa on Tokyo Metro Namboku Line. If you take it from Shinagawa, the bus stops right in front of the shop. The bus stop is named 154 Takanawa 1-chome. There is also Toei Bus, but the bus stop seems to be a bit far. From Tokyo Metro Namboku Line Shirokanetakanawa station, the bus stop name is not Shirokanetakanawa, but Takanawa District General Office. On a lightly cloudy Friday around 12:10 p.m., the products were almost sold out. An old man passing by approached and said that they don't spend money on packaging here, so they make the products delicious instead. I bought one piece of daifuku, and it came in a small paper bag. If you are buying just one piece to carry around, it may be better to have a ziplock bag. They will pack it for you if you buy a lot. Reservations are accepted from one piece, and it may be helpful to make a reservation so they can prepare the quantity needed. I was able to buy without a reservation, but if there are time restrictions, making a reservation might be more secure. They seemed busy in the morning, so it might be better to call in the afternoon. I was going back and forth in this area on Chiibasu on this day. Around 1:30 p.m., I passed by the shop again and saw that only one daifuku was left. The bean daifuku for ¥200 has an elegant sweetness and is beautifully decorated with white powder makeup like a beautiful woman. The beans are also of very good quality. It's appreciative that this deliciousness is only ¥200.

I have always avoided sweets and beans, but I decided to try bean daifuku for the first time. The soft mochi, filled with lots of beans, almost fell apart when I held it. With determination, I took a bite (my first time trying bean daifuku in my life) and the salty taste of the beans spread on my tongue, followed by the sweetness of the whole bean paste from deep within the soft mochi. Hmm, delicious. I feel like I now understand the reason why this shop has been popular for a long time, with a constant line of customers.

First visit. A traditional Japanese confectionery shop located a few minutes up the slope from Iriya Station on the Asakusa Line. Well-known as the shop where the owner of Takamatsu-ya in Oosaki trained. One of Tokyo's top three bean sweets, skipping the rest. As a big fan of Takamatsu-ya's salt daifuku, strawberry daifuku, and chestnut steamed yokan, I was extremely interested in this shop that is said to be in the same lineage. I had heard rumors of long lines and items being sold out by noon, so I hadn't been able to visit until now. However, on a day off during the week, I decided to stop by on a whim after having lunch at a certain Western-style restaurant in Kyobashi. I arrived in front of the shop around 12:30pm on a weekday. No line and the noren curtain was still up! In a panic, I rushed in and greeted the staff. And there, in the showcase, was the bean daifuku. I couldn't believe how easy it was to buy. Hooray for weekdays. I also wanted to buy the Kibi Daifuku that is not sold at Takamatsu-ya, but it was already sold out. I like the dango from Takamatsu-ya, so I also wanted to try the dango from Matsushima-ya, but that was sold out too. Well, the world isn't that sweet. Still, I was lucky enough to be able to buy the bean daifuku without a plan. Bean Daifuku (200 yen): You can tell just by looking at it that the beans are the star of the bean daifuku. Takamatsu-ya's bean daifuku also has a strong bean flavor, so it's definitely in the same lineage. The taste of the beans is also outstanding. Actually, in terms of the deliciousness of the beans alone, I think Matsushima-ya is better than Takamatsu-ya. These beans are cooked so well. The amount of salt in the anko was more subdued than I expected. I thought it would be similar to Takamatsu-ya, which really brings out the salt, but Matsushima-ya's version is more subtle. The mochi is also more understated. In fact, the mochi part is quite thin, and with the strong flavor of the beans, the impression after eating it is beans > anko > mochi. The deliciousness of the beans is clearly the strength, but when it comes to daifuku, I personally like a bit more of the mochi's deliciousness to enjoy. Well, I preferred the salt daifuku over the bean daifuku even at Takamatsu-ya. But it was good to be able to confirm the taste of this lineage. If there's a next time, I'll try the Kibi Daifuku.

Arrived at 10 o'clock. There were about four people ahead of me, but I was able to place my order quickly. I ordered three sets of kibi, grass, and two bean dumplings each. The dumplings were filled with plenty of sweet bean paste, had a nice balance of sweetness and saltiness from the beans, and the outside mochi was soft. I especially like the kibi, but when I eat each kind separately, I end up liking them all! The price went up to 200 yen, but it is still cheaper than other places. Inside the store, there are photos of the Emperor's car, maybe because the Emperor's former residence is next door. Sometimes I crave these dumplings and come to buy them. They are simple, without individual wrapping, for take-out. If you want a small share wrapped in paper, just ask and it will be fine. Bags are charged, so it's better to bring your own.

I visited this store on a rainy Saturday morning. It is said that the Showa Emperor used to like their Daifuku when he was a child. There was also a photo of the current Emperor and Empress visiting two years ago. There is no parking lot around here. There are several time-limited parking lots that you can use. It costs 330 yen for 15 minutes, quite expensive. The best option may be to walk from the Asakusa Line. It's about a 7-minute walk from Sengakuji Station. Now, about the Daifuku at this store. It's one of the top 3 Daifuku in Tokyo, right? I bought it around 11 am and ate it at 3 pm. Oh, the sweet bean paste has a very natural sweetness, and the saltiness isn't overpowering. I think I like it more than the Daifuku from Gourindou at Yakuoji Temple because the saltiness here is more natural. I also bought their Mitarashi, and when I ate it at night, it was a bit tough. The taste, however, is really delicious. Nothing beats freshly made Japanese sweets. It was truly a treat. I definitely want to eat it again!