Our first stop is T.SWEETS.LABO., located just a four-minute walk from Nagahara Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line.
This charming shop offers sweets made with meticulously chosen ingredients and crafted using refined techniques—completely free of wheat flour, refined sugar, and additives. The signature twist? The use of traditional Japanese ingredients and fermented foods like domestically produced rice flour, koji amazake (a naturally sweet fermented rice drink), and sea salt.
Owner and pastry chef Takayuki Tsuge brings with him experience from hotels in Japan and abroad. He turned to rice flour baking after developing a wheat allergy himself.
Through extensive trial and error, Tsuge perfected a unique recipe that showcases the natural flavors and appeal of Japanese ingredients.
His baked goods are remarkably rich and satisfying, with a depth of flavor that belies their simple ingredients. Just one bite, and it’s easy to see why these treats have such a devoted following.
◆Rice Flour Butter Sandwich
The shop’s signature item is the Rice Flour Butter Sandwich (540 yen including tax), a beloved treat that has earned a spot on the list of the “Selected 100 Souvenirs from Ota.”
The classic version features homemade raisins and rich buttercream, gently sandwiched between two delicate sablé-style cookies.
The cookie dough is crafted from a blend of non-glutinous rice flour, joshinko (refined rice flour), brown rice flour, and almond powder—creating a wonderfully fragrant and crisp texture.
A touch of Wajima sea salt is kneaded into the dough as a subtle but impactful secret ingredient.
Another standout is the Matcha Butter Sandwich, which uses matcha-infused cookies paired with house-cooked Kurosengoku black soybeans, small, flavorful beans that add both depth and a touch of Japanese elegance.
◆Rice & Koji Roll Cake
The Rice & Koji Roll Cake (1,900 yen including tax) is a standout creation made with domestically sourced rice flour. Each one is freshly baked and rolled the very same day it’s sold.
The sponge is soft, moist, and airy, delicately balanced to complement the filling. The cream, made with koji amazake and house-made salted koji, offers a nuanced flavor that’s subtly sweet with a touch of savory depth.
◆Seasonal Exclusive: Shaved Ice
Don't miss the summer-only Shaved Ice (864 yen including tax). Along with classic flavors like strawberry, matcha, azuki, and mango, the shop occasionally offers limited-edition varieties available only on Sundays.
The strawberry flavor is especially popular. Strawberries are purchased in spring, then frozen and later turned into a thick, pulpy purée and syrup—capturing the fruit’s peak-season flavor.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find shaved ice that delivers such an intense, natural fruit experience.
Each serving is topped with a unique whipped cream made from amazake and salted koji, giving it a rich, creamy texture with a subtle savory finish. A half-size version (432 yen including tax) is also available for children or those looking for a lighter treat.
“Ota City, home to Haneda Airport and the Ota Market, is a place where people and food from around the world come together. It’s surrounded by nature, and the balance of energy and calm makes it a wonderful place to live and work,” says owner Takayuki Tsuge.
T.SWEETS.LABO.
Address: Gran Kitazawa 1F, 1-21-3 Kamiikedai, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Noon - 6:00p.m. (closes early if sold out) on Sundays and national holidays, Saturdays: Rice flour bread available (sweets by reservation only) *On other days, reservations are prioritized.
Closures: Wednesdays
