If you’re a serious dorayaki eater, you should pay a visit to the shop that invented it - Usagi-ya in Ueno. Even if you’re not, it’s worth stopping by for a snack.
Usagi-ya - image © Florentyna Leow
Usagi-ya in Ueno is a nondescript-looking shop, both externally and internally. If it weren’t for the white rabbit on top, you might be forgiven for walking right past, since there’s little else surrounding to recommend a casual walk-in. But this is a firm favorite with Tokyoites for an old-fashioned snack: dorayaki.
Usagi-ya - image © Florentyna Leow
Dorayaki is essentially two moist, lightly sweet pancakes sandwiching an azuki bean paste. Usagi-ya’s claim to fame here is having improved on previous iterations by sandwiching the paste - as well as just turning out a very fine-tasting version.
There aren’t queues snaking around the block, but you’ll see a steady stream of customers picking up dorayaki by the half-dozen in boxes. Try one if you’re a fan of dorayaki, and if you’ve never had one before, there’s no better place in Tokyo to pop that cherry.
English name:
Usagi-ya
Japanese name:
うさぎや
English address:
1-10-10 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0005
Japanese address:
〒110-0005 東京都台東区上野1-10-10
Opening hours:
9am-6pm
Closed Wednesday
Price:
Non-smoking section:
Completely Non-Smoking
Reservations:
Necessary if buying dorayaki after 4pm
Nearest Transport:
Subway: 4-minute walk from exit A1 of Ueno-hirokoji Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza line, Ueno-okachimachi Station on the Toei Oedo line.
Subway: 4-minute walk from exit 6 of Yushima Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line.
Telephone:
+81-3-3831-6195
Website:
Official website (Japanese)
Customer Reviews:
:: Read customer reviews of Usagi-ya on TripAdvisor.
Near To Here:
Usagi-ya is located in Tokyo's Ueno district. See our complete list of things to do in Ueno, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
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