Where to Eat The Best Donuts in Tokyo

Chewy, sugar-dusted or cream-filled — our love for donuts might just fill the hole of these irresistible ring fritters, regardless of shape and size. Sure, Tokyo might not have the highest concentrations of donut shops compared to its bakeries and cafes, but what it lacks in number, it makes up for in quality. 

Have them for breakfast with a cup of coffee or grab them on the go during your visit to Harajuku — there’s never a wrong time for this sweet treat. 

Whether you're craving mochi rings, New York-style brioche or cakey old fashions, here's where to grab some of the best donuts in Tokyo.

Go here for: Bragging rights earned after a 2-hour wait — and an Insta-worthy shot of the fresh cream donuts in their takeaway box.

The question mark might reflect the sentiment when you see the line forming at its storefront. Is it worth the wait? Is it actually a donut? The answer is yes to both. The crowd gathers at I’m Donut? for its “nama donuts,” which are made softer than traditional ones through its special flour blend, shortening and pumpkin. 

Flavors span from zesty lemon icing to indulgent pistachio, while buttery brioche-based buns are pumped with creams like framboise and vanilla custard, all delicately dusted with sugar. The shop itself is a mini-chain with several joints in Tokyo, including Harajuku, Nakameguro and Omotesando. 

Plan your visit wisely — the shop closes as soon as the donuts run out, which is often every day.

Go here for: Coffee chats on a lazy Saturday afternoon with a good espresso and Hokkaido donuts to accompany. 

Name a better pairing than donuts and coffee — and name a place that understands this more than Higuma Doughnuts x Coffee Wrights. Sequestered behind the stretch of Omotesando and Harajuku, this breezy brick-and-mortar shop is a collaboration with the hip roastery-cafe Coffee Wrights. Here, espresso tonics, cold brews and matcha lattes share a tray with fried delights. 

Higuma Doughnuts uses a wheat flour blend, milk and butter sourced from Hokkaido Prefecture. The result? Fluffy, chewy donuts which are then fried in 100% palm oil. If you're undecided, opt for the crowd-favorite kinako donut — a classic, dusted with roasted soybean flour from the Tokachi region. 

Pro tip: Order your donuts with soft-serve ice cream, made from fresh Hokkaido milk, and eat them together for double the delight.

Go here for: No-frills, nostalgic donuts — the store-bought, rainbow-sprinkled kind you loved as a kid (but better).

Speaking of donuts and ice cream, Racines might take the crown. Connected to its sister restaurant Atelier Lala in Ebisu, here are American-style, yeast-risen brioche, old fashions and French crullers that stray from the typical Tokyo’s chewy fritters. Donuts are topped with rainbow sprinkles, almond-chocolate ganache and strawberry glaze. 

For those seeking familiar flavors, staples like chocolate-dipped old fashions are always on hand. But, the maple donut with crispy candied bacon bits might just be a top contender against Portland’s best — which is saying a lot. 

Go here for: Donuts with an epic cream-to-dough ratio — just remember to bring a napkin. 

Is it still a donut if it's decadently filled with fresh cream and lacks the traditional punctured hole in the middle? At Park Store, we like to think so. Nestled between Nakameguro and Sangenjaya, this spot always draws a perpetual line of eager customers, all clamoring to grab these delights that are airy, but hefty with cream. 

Our favorite is the chocolate cream donut that gets a thick dusting of cocoa powder, but the sugar-coated strawberry cream variety takes second place. Flavors may not be the most creative, but who needs them to be when they satisfy both the eyes and stomach? Just be cautious when biting into them — the cream is so abundant it often overflows.

Go here for: A donut chain that's like a loyal friend — reliable and never far away.

The thing about Mister Donut is that it will never fail you. Craving donuts but don't want to wait? On the hunt for a great mochi donut nearby? Mister Donut is your go-to spot. It’s the Dunkin’ of Japan — and there's truth to that comparison, as it was originally an American company before being acquired by a Japanese corporation. Today, Mister Donut is the largest donut chain in Japan, with 1,000 stores nationwide.

Come here when you want a bit of everything: chewy Pon de Ring — a mochi donut resembling a lion's mane — French crullers, cake donuts or donut holes. They’re also always unveiling seasonal varieties, like matcha with red bean filling, sakura-themed flavors or fall-inspired sweet potato.

Go here for: Cool, people-approved vegan donuts and New York-style pizza after your street-shopping spree.

Little Bakery Tokyo might be more than just a donut shop, but if Justin Bieber can stop here for donuts — and he did — we can, too. Tucked in a quiet alleyway on the backstreet of Omotesando and Harajuku’s Cat Street, this Americana-themed shop whips out perfectly baked croissants, milk bread, pies and New York-style pizzas that would earn approval from Manhattan's Little Italy. 

Never mind that — you should pay attention to the dedicated donut counter of Good Town Donut’s creations. These generously sized donuts are fried and dunked in glossy glazes with fun flavors like “Homer Simpson” — white chocolate with rainbow sprinkles — raspberry pistachio, Uji matcha or the yellow-frosted smiley face with mango custard filling. Most donuts also come with a vegan counterpart, made with avocado oil and soy milk.

Go here for: A small taste of New York in the form of colossal donuts. 

Dumbo’s donuts are so ginormous you might need two hands to get the perfect bite (always a good problem to have), and that’s because they’re serious about being a New Yorker — and that means everything is American-sized.  

Located in Azabu Juban, part of the shop’s wall is adorned with a map of Dumbo and Manhattan, and the shop's name itself is inspired by the iconic neighborhood. We love the zesty lemon poppy seeds, framboise, hot-yellow passion fruit and cheesecake donuts, but you can never go wrong with the classic cinnamon sugar and chocolate glaze. 

Pair them with Dumbo's own cup of coffee, featuring beans supplied from Arabica Kyoto.

Go here for: The closest thing to a PhD in donut science.

The shop with a leafy entrance by Hirakawacho claims to be a “donut laboratory,” and with its pristine interior and a sleek glass case showcasing a selection of donuts, it’s easy to believe. Hocus Pocus is infatuated with the art — or in this case, science — of donuts. 

Here, the sweet dough is fried, baked or steamed, with flavors that are borderline experimental but undeniably delightful. Rum and cream cheese — where the donuts are cut in half and made into a sandwich — might compete with steamed strawberry donuts coated with white chocolate or baked Belgian chocolate. 

Pair your choice with coffee brought in from Little Nap Coffee Stand, and the dilemma might just resolve itself.

Go here for: When you're picking up your friend at Tokyo Station and need an impressive, "welcome-to-Japan" treat.

If you find yourself in Tokyo Station — a likely scenario for any traveler to Japan — be sure to carve out some time to visit this trendy takeaway-only donut joint. Newly opened in 2024, andTokyo specializes in "nama" donuts, crafted fresh and from scratch. Expect donuts that are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with a subtle sweetness derived from chestnut and pumpkin paste.

The flavors offered are a blend of classic and playful, such as the pudding cream filling inspired by the pudding at its sister store, Nihonbashi Brewery, or the "Mazesoba" donut, topped with fried noodles from its ramen shop, Dame na Torin.

Go here for: Solo date in Tokyo with a book and a craving for delightful donuts. 

Secreted away behind the already-quaint Yoyogi-Uehara, Harrits Donuts & Coffee looks more like a ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant) than a cafe. The shop is built into a traditional Japanese house marked only by a small nameplate at the entrance, and the interior is cozy with the lingering aroma of brewed coffee — the kind of place you’d stop by for a quiet afternoon.

The donuts at Harrits Coffee are just as simple and homey. Naturally fermented, these chewy treats are usually only coated with a fine dusting of powdered sugar. Varieties are distinctly Japanese favorites: kinako, sakura with red bean paste, pumpkin with white bean paste and matcha. 

While the space may be small (seating accommodates up to 10 people), if you can snag a wooden chair, pair the sweet treat with their freshly brewed coffee and linger longer. 

Go here for: Hawaiian-inspired donuts and refreshing drinks in Shinjuku before you hop to your main supper. 

The chic Hawaiian-themed cafe, Pacific BAKE HOUSE, is located inside Lumine Est Shinjuku with a refreshing lineup of beverages like cold brews on tap, kombucha and “Parfalo” — the store’s signature coconut cream shake. But the real stars of the show are the Hawaiian-inspired donuts infused with tropical flavors such as Hawaiian salt, lilikoi and vibrant cassis.

Go here for: Cream-filled donuts in Jingumae, Tokyo, without the exhaustive waiting line. 

If the line at I'm Donut? becomes too unbearable, take a leisurely stroll to BPC Donuts for equally impressive nama donuts. Originating from B Portland Coffee Roastery in Minamisenba, Osaka, the donuts here are crafted from mature, fermented dough, resulting in puffy buns that fill up perfectly with luscious cream. 

Start with classics like pistachio, chocolate and plain cream, but keep an eye out for seasonal offerings such as cookies and cream or tiramisu, which add an exciting twist to the menu. Don't miss out on their soft-serve ice cream, served in a cone made from Danish pastry.

Go here for: Pillowy glazed donuts that never disappoint. 

We might be in Japan, but that bright red neon sign may still catch your eye and pull you in for its hot glazed donuts. Sometimes, soft, pillowy donuts might be just what you need to end (or start) the day. 

Luckily, this American donut chain understands Japan's love for seasonal products and ever-changing flavors, so you can expect more creative twists than the Western counterpart. 

In May 2024, for example, Krispy Kreme unveiled their time-limited "Cheerful Cheese" collection, which is exactly as cheesy as it sounds. Picture no-bake cheesecake donuts, lemon tarts, ring donuts with gouda cheese cream and cookie crunch and tiramisu donuts filled with mascarpone.

Still searching for more treats to satisfy your sweet tooth? Learn about traditional Japanese sweets, learn to make wagashi for yourself or read our blog on Japanese snacks!

From matcha green tea to black sesame, Tokyo's donut scene is bursting with unique and delicious flavors that you won't find anywhere else. Be adventurous and try something new!

While traditional donuts in Tokyo may not always cater to gluten-free diets, there are a growing number of specialty shops that offer gluten-free and vegan options. Do some research and you'll be sure to find a tasty treat that suits your dietary needs.

Donut worry, we've got you covered. Download a translation app, brush up on basic Japanese phrases, and be prepared to wait in line for these popular treats. Embrace the chaos and enjoy the sweet rewards of Tokyo's donut culture.