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.
Where Is This Place Located?
See this place on the Truly Tokyo Google map:- Open the Tokyo map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
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