Confectionery Purveyor Toraya Get a Makeover in Akasaka
Toraya, an institution in traditional Japanese confectionery for the last 500 years, has had a facelift. Gone are the days of the nine-storey tower block built in 1964. The brand has now opted for purity and clarity with a fully glazed facade. Inside, natural takes precedence with a hinoki wood coating on the walls, embellished with touches of black, all bathed in daylight.
The gallery in the basement is a new addition and hosts exhibitions and thematic events around traditional Japanese culture. However it is likely to be the tea room on the third floor that will attract crowds. Visitors will be able to taste dishes and desserts specially developed for the Akasaka branch such as senri no kaze, a yokan (here a jellied mix of different beans) striped with red bean paste, a nod to the name of the house (tora means tiger in Japanese).
Toraya Akasaka
4-9-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
TRENDING
-
A Child's Snowy Quest to Find his Father
The silent film ‘The Night I Swam’ follows the journey of Takara, a young boy alone in an adult world he is yet to understand.
-
The Tattoos that Marked the Criminals of the Edo Period
Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos, while theft might result in an arm tattoo.
-
Iñigo Gutierrez's Calligraphic Illustrations
Inspired by ‘shodo’, Japanese calligraphy, the Spanish artist who now lives in Tokyo conveys a certain nostalgia in his work.
-
Celebrating Nature Through Cuisine in ‘Wild Herbs’
In this book, Michelin-starred chef Hisao Nakahigashi reflects on his childhood memories, his philosophy of cooking, and shares his recipes.
-
Vegan Recipe for Sizzling Tofu and Mushrooms in Miso Sauce by Naoko Takei Moore
The success of this dish hinges on the variety of mushrooms used and on the 'donabe', the clay pot in which it is simmered.
