One of the true highlights of the Extremes of Japan Tour was the food, with the culinary element as important as the “weird”, and this is what led us to Shinjuku Takana perhaps the most saught after dessert in Tokyo.
This was done at the start of the trip, and just after we had been to pay a little Pachinko and just before we went for some Onsen jollies.
What the Shinjuku Takano?
Shinjuku Takano, the famed fruit parlor in the heart of Tokyo, is a symbol of Japan’s meticulous dedication to quality and tradition. Established in 1885 by a man named Masataka Takano, the shop began as a modest fruit stand, catering to the growing middle class of Tokyo during the Meiji era. What started as a small venture quickly evolved into a luxury brand, synonymous with the finest fruits in Japan.
The philosophy at Shinjuku Takano has always been simple: offer the best fruit money can buy, and do so with an unparalleled commitment to excellence. Over the decades, the shop became a pioneer in introducing Western fruits to the Japanese market, at a time when such delicacies were considered rare and exotic. Takano’s ability to source and present these fruits with impeccable quality set them apart, making the shop a go-to destination for those seeking the very best.
In the post-war era, Shinjuku Takano expanded its offerings, moving from just selling fruit to creating elaborate, fruit-based desserts and products. Their flagship store in Shinjuku became an institution, attracting locals and tourists alike who were eager to experience Japan’s most luxurious take on fruit. The brand’s success is a testament to Japan’s broader cultural obsession with perfection, where even a simple fruit can be elevated to an art form.
What is it like eating at Shinjuku Takano?
The first thing that you need to know about eating here is that it is damned popular. This means that often times they are lines that quite literally take hours. We manage to mitigate this by sending and associate early and doing the very un-Japanese thing of saving our place in the libe.
On return we were though literally at the front, with our large group meaning we were given the opportunity to be served at the table. You truly do have to take the victories when you can get them.
At Shinjuku Takano, desserts are a fruit lover’s dream come true. Their famous fruit parfaits are towering creations packed with layers of the freshest seasonal fruits—think juicy strawberries, succulent mangoes, and crisp melons, all perfectly ripe and bursting with flavor.
Then there’s the Fruit Sandwich, a surprisingly delicious combo of soft, pillowy bread filled with whipped cream and the best fruits Japan has to offer—like biting into a sweet cloud. For something a bit lighter, the Fruit Jelly is a refreshing treat, each wobbly bite delivering a pure, sweet hit of the fruit’s essence. At Shinjuku Takano, they don’t just serve fruit—they elevate it to an art form.
Thankfully they also had a roast beef sandwich, which satisfied everyones lunch, as well as sweet tooth needs…
Personally I went for a chocolate type concoction that also doubled up as my lunch for the day too. Overall it was pretty damned amazing and cue notwithstanding was well worth the visit.
Address of Shinjuku Takano
Shinjuku Takano
5-24-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City,
Tokyo 160-0022,
Japan.
Quite literally on the 5th floor, with the lower floors being where you can buy the artisan, but rather expensive fruit! Not that I would buy, but well worth a look….