Best chocolate shops in Tokyo

There’s no fussing with espresso powder or vanilla extract in this kitchen. Ken’s Cafe Tokyo sticks to the basics by using just four ingredients in their only product. Unsalted butter, sugar, eggs and chocolate make for a simple yet winning combination in one of the most decadent chocolate gâteaux you’ll ever enjoy.

Despite its unassuming appearance – it looks like a plain chocolate terrine – the ¥3,000 cake has earned Ken’s Cafe a coveted spot in the Top 50 Dessert Shops list by the prestigious Japan Sweets Award for three consecutive years. Eat it at room temperature and it’s a rich gâteau. When chilled, its texture resembles that of ganache, and when warmed, the centre liquifies like molten chocolate cake that you can combine with a scoop of ice cream. 

Mamano prides itself on being fair-trade as well as organic, dutifully sourcing beans from Arriba cacao farms in Ecuador to use in itscolourful creations. Arriba cacao is so rare that it is only used in two percent of the world’s chocolate produce. The beans are farmed using sustainable methods to protect the surrounding Amazon forest, free of pesticides and chemical fertilisers.

The fresh ganache and bonbons at Mamano are labelled as ‘chocolate of the gods’, a reference to how cacao was originally considered to be sustenance only for kings and deities, celestially dusted with gold andartfully marbled in multiple colours. In winter, you can get the Mamano hot chocolate, made with 50 percent milk, and have the sweetness adjusted to your liking (you should also ask for the seasonal flavoured ones as well). In the warmer months, a popular item is the refreshing yet decadent chocolate kakigori (shaved ice dessert), which comes in flavours such as chocolate orange and honey lemon.

Trust upscale Ginza to house one of the finest chocolate boutiques around. Le Chocolatde H was started by celebrated chocolatier and pâtissier, Hironobu Tsujiguchi, who has showcased his creations at Salon du Chocolat since 2013 – he even took the gold medal for one year. 

You can buy coffrets of Le Chocolat de H’s signature chocs, or pick a limited-edition box featuring the award-winning creations that were showcased at Salon du Chocolat earlier in the year; expect daring flavour combinations such as apricot with miso and caramel, or sake and praline. The ¥1,200-a-piece Cacao Blanc de L’illusion is also worth a splurge as it’s made with rare white cacao harvested from the Piura region of Peru. 

Minimal founder Takashi Yamashita equates chocolate to Japanese cuisine in that both taste better without the addition of unnecessary ingredients or flavourings. The company’s purist approach is reflected in its name: a straightforward, gimmick-free attitude where everything is made with integrity and simplicity without excessively elaborate packaging or overly complicated flavours. 

Minimal’s neatly packaged chocolates are stamped with colour-coded profiles detailing each bar’s origin, texture, sugar content, roast and ratio of beans in such a way that they resemble novelty items. But chocolate enthusiasts shouldn’t walk away without purchasing a few bars to sample and compare.

At the café, the indulgent chocolate parfait and hot chocolate are year-round crowd pleasers, but don’t overlook the seasonal plated desserts either, such as chocolate flan with homemade ice cream, pastel parfaits and fruit-filled crêpes. 

Directed by Chloé Doutre-Roussel, the Parisian chocolate connoisseur, this slick shop is part of Tokyo's 'bean-to-bar' invasion and creates quality choc from raw cacao beans. Join one of their workshops to learn about the entire production process and enjoy an educational journey into the wonderful world of chocolate.

All-organic and eco-friendly, Denmark's Summerbird brings its strong chocolate game to Tokyo with this Aoyama shop. After appearances at Salon du Chocolat and other choc exhibits in the city, the brand has been making inroads into the city with the help of fellow Dane and flower artist extraordinaire Nicolai Bergmann, whose flagship store happens to be just around the corner from Summerbird.

Sit down at the café and watch as delectable Cream Kisses are crafted in the open kitchen – these decadent treats come in three flavours and also make for great gifts.