Tabelog ratingKichiji (吉時) is a small, cheerful patisserie in Higashi-Nippori that stands out for its Chinese-style sweets. With its cute pink interior and friendly staff, it has become a local favourite, particularly among international visitors looking for flavours that are bold and less common in Japan. The main attractions are the egg tarts and a rotating selection of oversized pastries.
Guests consistently praise the egg tarts for their perfectly flaky shells and rich, silky custard filling. The large, shareable roll cakes are also a highlight, with inventive combinations you won't find elsewhere. Reviewers recently paid around ¥700 for a pistachio-framboise roll and ¥880 for an Oreo box cake. The egg tarts themselves are priced around ¥280–¥330. The typical spend for a coffee and cake or a few takeaway items is under ¥1,000.
While most visitors are delighted, some note that certain items can feel a little pricey for a neighbourhood bakery. There are also occasional reports of inconsistency in the baking and isolated complaints about the cleanliness of the small seating area. For the novelty and generous portions, however, most find Kichiji offers good value.
- Location: A short walk from Nippori Station.
- Booking: Walk-in only; reservations are not accepted.
- Seating: Primarily a takeaway shop, with a small eat-in area of about 10 seats. Popular items like egg tarts and special roll cakes can sell out by the evening.
- Payment: American Express and PayPay are accepted. Other credit cards and electronic money are not. It's wise to bring cash.
- Family: Children and strollers are welcome.
- Smoking: The entire shop is non-smoking.
- Parking: No parking available.
