Japan has many trendy districts and there are also certain areas that people in Tokyo know are quite affluent.
In the Minato ward of Tokyo, the southwest area known as Shirokane. Known for its expensive real estate fees and known for the area’s cool shopping areas and restaurants.
The district received its name from a wealthy government official from the Southern Dynasty who settled in the area during the Oei era (1394-1428) and received the nickname “Shirokane Choja” (man who possesses white gold i.e. platinum). Thus the name of the district translates to “Platinum District”.
One of my favorite confection shops in Shirokane is Shirokane Sweets.
Shirokane Sweets opened with the concept of providing sweets made of delicious seasonal fruits.
The company uses fresh cream especially from Hokkaido and Kyushu to create cakes, sponge cakes, tarts and more.
When I was there during the Christmas holiday, Shirokane Sweets were promoting their Luo Han Guo (Rankanka) low sugar roll made of soybean powder made of rich raw milk obtained from Hokkaido, ice candy such as strawberry Millefeuille and Mango Orange.
The shop also sells their own curry in packets such as beef curry, pork curry, spicy chicken curry, green vegetable curry, super spicy curry and keema curry.
The shop also sells beverages and fruit parfaits.
It’s important to note that because the place is located in the Shirokane area, one can equate it going to Beverly Hills or Lower East Manhattan and expect prices to reflect that.
While you can purchase a slice of Shine Muscat Zeccott cake for Y800, one can purchase a 12cm (4.7 inches) Short Cake of Season for Y3,800, a Yamae Chestnuts Brown Sugar Roll for Y1,700, so it may be pricey for some people. While others who love quality and the fact that Shirokane Sweets uses fresh seasonal fruits and cream from Hokkaido and Kyushu to be well worth the price.
It’s important to note that I went during the Christmas holiday and for those not familiar with Japanese Christmas, it’s an extended Valentine’s Day with a Christmas-vibe. So, people purchase holiday cakes as a gift, for friends, family or someone you love or care about. So, a lot of what is offered when I was there was Christmas confections.
This is not a typical bakery, you are getting delicious cakes, cool ingredients with a wonderful presentation and it’s quite classy.
Overall, I recommend Shirokane Sweets for those who want classy, delicious cakes and are not worried to spend a bit for that.
