Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory in Tokyo
The Ghibli cult classic My Neighbour Totoro is not the only place where you can find the titular forest creature. At Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory, the fluffy giant rabbit-like creature comes in the form of delicious choux pastries that are so cute that you’d want to eat them right up.
Adorable Totoro cream puffs
Image credit: @kobe.sweets.ouji
Nestled in a quiet residential area near Setagaya-Daita Station, the rustic bakery cafe is known for its charming little Totoro cream puffs. What sets this cafe apart from its peers is the fact that Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory is recognised by Studio Ghibli.
Image credit: @yuzuki_photograph
At this bakery-cum-cafe, you’d find rows of lifelike Totoros lining its display case.
Image credit: @mirafiore
Though the pastries now look like the perfect replica of the fictional character, it took the owner 3 years of trial and error to get the recipe and shape down pat.
As the process to create the individual cream puffs is extremely labour-intensive, only about 200 are produced daily to ensure its quality.
Image credit: @mochi.plus2
Each cream puff costs ¥460-¥500 (~USD3.39-USD3.68), and they come in 9 flavours. 2 of them, custard and chocolate cream, are part of the regular line-up and are available all year round.
The remaining flavours – strawberry, peach, chestnut, caramel banana, matcha, mango, and raspberry with cream cheese – are seasonal flavours that are sold at selected periods.
Chocolate (left) and chestnut (right) filling.
Image credit: @motomiin
In case you’re wondering, the tiny hair ornaments donned by the edible Totoros indicate the type of filling inside – it’s an adorable touch and an ingenious way of differentiating the flavours.
Variety of Ghibli-themed desserts & baked goods available
Cat bus sandwich cookie that’s exclusive to their Kichijōji outlet.
Image credit: @_mo_eka
Besides their signature cream puffs, Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory also lovingly bakes up a variety of Ghibli-themed cookies and desserts. The grinning cat bus, which appeared in My Neighbour Totoro as well, comes in the form of a crispy buttery cookie (¥600, ~USD4.43).
Image credit: @shirohige_puff
During peach season in summer, Ponyo makes an appearance at Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory, adorning a refreshing and fruity jelly cup (¥600, ~USD4.43).
Image credit: @rora4273
For a bite-sized souvenir to take home after your visit, grab a Totoro cookie box, which contains rows of crisp chibi Totoro cookies in assorted flavours. The cookies come in boxes of 4 (¥500, ~USD3.69), 9 (¥1,350, ~USD9.96), and 24 (¥3,000, ~USD22.13).
Seasonal cakes available during the Christmas period.
Image credit: @shirohige_puff
How to get to Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory
Image credit: @deji_coffee
Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory is a 3-minute walk from Setagaya-Daita Station on the Odawara Line. Exit from the station’s North Exit, and keep walking until you spot a woodland-themed signboard.
Image credit: @mizuhoaizawa
As the cafe is extremely popular and often sells out midday, we recommend going early or calling ahead to make a reservation so that you won’t leave empty-handed. Alternatively, they have a takeout-only outlet in Kichijōji, which is just 4 minutes away by foot from Kichijōji Station.
Daita Branch
Address: 5 Chome-3-1 Daita, Setagaya City, 155-0033 Tokyo
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 10.30am-7pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 0357-87-6221 | Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory Website
Kichijōji Branch
Address: 2 Chome-7-5 Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino, 180-0003 Tokyo
Opening hours: Wed & Fri-Mon 11am-6pm | Thu 11am-5pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 0422-26-6550
Also check out:
- Popular Ghibli-esque bakery in Omotesando
- Toshio Suzuki and Ghibli Exhibition
- Guide to Ghibli Museum
- Guide to Tomonoura, the town that inspired Ponyo
- Yakushima, Princess Mononoke’s island IRL
Cover image adapted from (from left to right): @kobe.sweets.ouji, @shirohige_puff and @_mo_eka
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