Tabelog ratingTsuchiya is the confectionery kitchen of Itoyanagi, a long-established ryokan (traditional inn) in Isawa Onsen. Its reputation rests on one item: a cream puff that is filled only when you order it. Filling it at the last moment keeps the cookie-crust shell crisp around a dense diplomat filling of custard and whipped cream. Many reviewers call it the best they have eaten. You can take sweets away or eat them in the inn's quiet lounge, which looks out over a rose garden.
Almost every review praises the cream puff, including a seasonal peach version made with house-made jam. Other recurring favourites are:
- the mochi pie, a whole daifuku baked in pastry;
- a very flaky custard pie;
- the moist Koshu kasutera, a sponge cake with coarse sugar on the base;
- kasutera rusks, often handed out free.
Staff are frequently described as kind, especially to children.
Most complaints concern the till. Several reviewers found service there slow and muddled, and occasionally curt. Some thought the castella merely ordinary, and one was disappointed by the matcha mochi pie. One guest found the eat-in area unsettling, since it is effectively part of the inn's corridor, and thought the coffee mediocre.
Prices are low. Reviewers in 2026 paid:
- around ¥259–264 for the cream puff;
- ¥324 for the peach cream puff;
- ¥330 for the mochi pie;
- ¥216–264 for a slice of plain castella;
- about ¥300 for the wasanbon (fine-sugar) castella;
- ¥400 for an Americano and ¥715 for an affogato;
- ¥1,188 for a half loaf of plain castella.
Typical spend is under ¥1,000 for both a lunchtime and an evening visit. Reviewers repeatedly say a small but generously filled cream puff at around ¥260 is excellent value for the price. The castella is fairly priced and nicely packaged as a gift.
- Getting there: 5-minute walk from JR Isawa Onsen Station, on the 1st floor of Isawa Meitokan Itoyanagi.
- Hours: the listing gives Mon–Wed and Fri–Sun 9:00–17:00, closed Thursday. Reviewers have cited other hours and closing days, and one 2026 reviewer reported a temporary closure from June. Phone ahead on 055-262-0147.
- Booking: a reservation is not required, and you can simply walk in. Cream puffs and mochi pies can sell out by early afternoon at weekends, so reserving items by phone the day before is recommended. Roll cake is best ordered a day ahead.
- Payment: the listing states that credit cards and electronic money are not accepted. Some reviewers report paying by card, transit IC card or PayPay, but bring cash to be safe.
- Seating: 8 eat-in seats. There are no private rooms and no private hire.
- Smoking: non-smoking.
- Children: welcome, including babies, and strollers are fine. There is no age restriction.
- Parking: use the Itoyanagi ryokan car park.
- Take-out: available. Fresh items must be eaten the same day.
