A classic Nakano souvenir: Patisserie Fujinoki, a Western-style pastry shop celebrating its 100th anniversary

Hello, I'm Chiitan, a Nakano Tourism Reporter. Chibi Nakano is here with us. Today I would like to introduce Patisserie Fujinoki, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024.

It is a one-minute walk from the south exit of Toritsu-Kasei Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. At the entrance, Ebisu-ten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Kasei-chan, is enshrined. It is said to bring good luck in business prosperity.

The "Kaseichan Seven Lucky Gods Map" is only available at "Pâtisserie Fujinoki." Please try looking for other Kaseichan Seven Lucky Gods as well.

We immediately went inside the store, which had a lovely atmosphere.

We spoke with Shoichi Tanaka, the third-generation owner of the restaurant. He is actually a "Nakano Ward knowledgeable expert"!

-Please tell us about the history of your shop. "My grandfather founded a bakery in Koenji in 1924. Nine years later, it moved to the north exit of Nogata Station and began selling Japanese sweets as well. In Toritsu-Kasei, a shop was opened in 1938 with the opening of Furitsu-Kasei Station (now Toritsu-Kasei Station). After that, it started selling Western-style sweets, stopped making bread and Japanese sweets, and closed temporarily, before becoming the current shop in 2019. The coffee shop that was previously in business was apparently one of the largest along the Seibu Shinjuku Line."

"We are particular about our local area, and we make French pastries with motifs of the mascot character of the Toritsu Kasei Shopping Arcade, "Kasei-chan," and anecdotes from Nakano."

-What kind of customers do you get? "Most of them are locals. There isn't much traffic, so everyone from elderly people who remember the time when there was a bakery and coffee shop to people with children in strollers feel safe coming here."

-What is your most popular item? "It's 'Nakano Souvenir Banashi.' It's widely known for winning the Nakano Specialty Grand Prix, and customers come from all over Nakano ward, not just Toritsu Kasei, to buy it."

-What do you like about Toritsu Kasei? "I was born and raised here, so I have a special attachment to the school. I like the uncluttered, calm atmosphere."

--What is the secret to making delicious sweets? "I try a variety of sweets, think about why they are delicious, and create my own standards. Then, I make them using good ingredients and following procedures and methods."

-What do you want to do with your store in the future? "We've become a store with only standard items, so I want to offer new items, such as seasonal items. For example, in our 100th anniversary special box, we're including sweets that we haven't included before."

Chiitan bought the "Nakano Souvenir Banashi" baked confectionery gift, which is recommended as a souvenir. In addition to the Nakano Specialty Grand Prix 2011, it is also a Nakano brand, a tourist resource certified by Nakano Ward. The wisteria packaging is elegant!

The assortment of sweets is chosen from 18 varieties depending on the season. This time, I'll introduce the contents of the 6-pack that I purchased! I'd like to introduce all 18 varieties, but I'll save the rest for you to enjoy.

Orange cake "Under the Sunlight at Tetsugakudo Park". Yuzu cake "Poem of the Bonfire at Nakano-Kamitakada". Black tea and lemon cake "Afternoon Tea Time at the Prefectural Girls' School of Home Economics". Fruit cake "When You Wish Upon a Star at Momijiyama Park". Financier "Footprints of a Dream at Nakano Choja". Florentine "Welcome to the Ancient Land at Peace Forest Park". Get excited about the brands named after familiar Nakano landmarks. You'll want to find out the stories behind each one. The taste is somehow nostalgic and rich, making them perfect gifts.

There are also other delicious sweets on offer. Why not stop by while touring Kaseichan Seven Lucky Gods?

Patisserie Fujinoki

Address: 3-17-6 Wakamiya, Nakano-ku

Access: 1 minute walk from the south exit of Toritsu-Kasei Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line

Phone: 03‐3330‐4261

Business hours: 11:00 - 19:00

Closed: Wednesdays and irregular holidays