You must try this when you visit Toyooka!

From left to right: Cream ¥100 / Sweet Red Bean Paste (Ogura-an) ¥100 / Matcha Cream ¥110, each for 1 piece.

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First up is a well-known shop in Toyooka that no local resident would be unfamiliar with: Taniguchi Imagawayaki Shop, established in 1949.

As the name suggests, their signature item is Imagawayaki, available in three fillings: red bean paste, cream, and matcha cream. The soft dough is filled generously with each filling, all of which are made fresh every morning at the shop.

With just the right amount of sweetness, you can enjoy as many as you like!
You can also take them home, making them a perfect souvenir.

Uji Shigure ¥700

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Additionally, there's another popular seasonal menu item available only from June to September: Shaved Ice.
The most popular flavor is Uji Shigure.

This treat features fluffy shaved ice topped with ice cream, fresh fruit, chewy gyuhi (sweet rice cake), and homemade red bean paste. The secret to its irresistible balance of sweetness and bitterness is the freshly made matcha syrup, which is poured over the ice and ice cream after the order is placed.

Both the syrup and gyuhi are made in-house, showcasing the shop’s commitment to quality.

If you're visiting in the summer, be sure to give it a try!

Blueberry and Cream Cheese Cake ¥380 / Café Latte ¥430

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Next up is ima CAFE, a charming spot that offers handmade sweets, lunch, and a variety of goods for sale.
The concept of the cafe is to create a space that feels like a natural gathering spot, much like a living room, with healthy lunches and delicious sweets made from local seasonal vegetables.

A must-try is their pound cake, made by incorporating handmade jam from seasonal fruits and baked to a moist perfection.
This time, I tried the blueberry pound cake made with blueberries from the Kamabe region in Toyooka. The rich cream cheese, natural sweetness, and the sweet-tart blueberry accent create a perfectly balanced, addictive flavor.
With the cozy atmosphere of the cafe, it’s easy to feel at home and be content as you relax and enjoy your meal.

There’s also a great offer: if you order a drink along with your sweets, you’ll get a ¥50 discount!
Be sure to try their healthy lunches, which are packed with fresh seasonal vegetables.

Bag Cookies ¥270 (per bag)

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Being close to Kaban Street, the shop also offers handmade cookies shaped like bags, making them a perfect souvenir.

Inside, you’ll find an array of carefully selected pottery and goods from across Japan.
It’s fun just to look at everything, but of course, you can purchase them as well. Why not find something special for yourself as a souvenir?

Big Fluffy Pancake ¥1,320

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Finally, we have Fruit Island Hyakkaen, a fruit shop offering not only locally grown produce but also seasonal fruits from across the country. Inside the shop, you'll find a fruit parlor where you can enjoy fruit parfaits and other desserts that only a fruit shop can offer.

The highlight is their famous "Big Fluffy Pancake", which even celebrities come to try.
This indulgent treat features fluffy pancakes topped generously with seasonal fruits, making it a luxurious dessert. For only ¥1,320, you can enjoy this hearty and satisfying sweet filled with fresh fruit!

Melon Parfait ¥1,320

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In addition, there’s a wide variety of offerings, including luxurious fruit parfaits and creative menu items.
For those who want to savor fruit to their heart’s content, this is the place to be.
You can also take home delicious fruit tarts and other treats!

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Finally, we have Ichiryodo, a hidden gem in Toyooka that has been in business for four generations.
Their Shika Manju (deer-shaped buns) are slightly smaller than traditional kaitenyaki and are very popular at ¥90 each (tax included).
In the past, Toyooka was home to many deer, and the buns are stamped with a design inspired by them.

The fluffy outer skin and the refined sweetness of the white bean paste make for a perfect combination.
Even those who aren’t fond of sweets will find this treat enjoyable.
It pairs well with Japanese tea, of course, but also complements coffee and tea beautifully.

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It's reassuring to know that they don’t use any preservatives or artificial coloring.

Since everything is made by hand, there’s a limited quantity, and they sometimes sell out by the afternoon.
When you visit Toyooka, why not pick up some Shika Manju as a souvenir or enjoy them while strolling around?