For the dessert crowd who prefer something that's “not too sweet,” the Japanese fruit sandwich sure does hit that spot with flair. This quintessential Japanese dessert follows a simple construction: fruit covered with luscious cream, wedged between two (sometimes three) slices of fluffy bread that typically gets cut in the middle to reveal a beautiful cross-section.
But, between small mom-and-pops in Omotesando and convenience stores scattered around Tokyo, nailing the perfect tangy-sweet treat isn’t always straightforward. Fruits change depending on the season, the cream formula becomes a conundrum of its own and the bread needs to be just right.
Thankfully, Tokyo’s best fruit sandwich shops, bakeries and cafes have preempted this problem — and the only way you can go wrong is not to buy one at all. Looking to end your meal on a sweet note? Here are the best places to get fruit sandwiches in Tokyo.
What is a fruit sandwich?
A fruit sandwich, known as "fruit sando" in Japanese, is a popular sweet sandwich in Japan. It consists of soft, fluffy white bread (shokupan), which is typically crustless and filled with a combination of fresh fruits and sweetened whipped cream.
The fruits used can vary, but common choices include strawberries, kiwi, mango, banana and other seasonal fruits. The fruits are usually cut into bite-sized pieces or slices and are arranged in a visually appealing way.
Fruit sandos are often enjoyed as a snack or dessert and are especially popular in cafes and bakeries across Japan. They are also appreciated for their aesthetic appeal, often being made with an emphasis on creating a beautiful and appetizing presentation.
Best fruit sandwich shops in Tokyo
1. Daiwa Nakameguro
When the popular Aichi-based greengrocer opened its fruit sandwich shop in Tokyo, it was there to stay. Located along the Meguro River, the first thing you’ll see at Daiwa Nakameguro is the constant queue of eager foodies.
The second thing you’ll see when you step inside is the refrigerated case lined with an impressive selection of sandwiches, each with plump, in-season fruits and a generous spread of Hokkaido milk cream.
Being a greengrocer gives it an advantage, as the fruits are hailed from all over Japan. Our favorite is the sandwich with giant slices of Miyazaki-grown mango cradled in fluffy cream and the sandwich with strawberries from Aichi Prefecture. The shop also serves crepes piped with cream and soft serve.
2. fruits and season
Contrary to popular belief, fruit sandwiches aren’t vegan, as they still use eggs and animal milk for their cream and bread. So when fruits and season, an all-vegan fruit sandwich shop backed by the same popular Daiwa greengrocer built its brick-and-mortar store in Ebisu, it quickly attracted lines of health-conscious and eco-friendly diners.
The shop claims to have fruit sandwiches with one-third of the calories of its regular counterparts — which means one-third of the guilt — and the bread is made without eggs or dairy.
Additionally, the sandwiches are filled with soy-based whipped cream sweetened with agave syrup instead of refined sugar and honey. In line with its green philosophy, the shop minimizes food waste by making a limited number of fruit sandwiches daily, which sell out quickly.
The cleverly designed, pastel-colored packaging also makes these sandwiches a popular choice for gifts.
For vegan travelers, check out our must-know vegan tips and tricks when coming to Japan.
3. Age.3 Ginza
The “fried sandwich” from this petite, narrow shop took social media by storm when it opened along the well-heeled streets of Ginza, thanks to its ¥100 sandwich filled with just cream. It’s a twist from the usual milk bread; instead of using plain shokupan, the bread slices are deep-fried to golden perfection, then cut in half and slit in the middle for stuffing.
The staff manually fills these carb pockets with low-sugar cream and adds various toppings. Sure, the ¥100 sandwich is perfect for those looking to stretch their budget until payday, but the true highlights at Age.3 Ginza are the fruit-topped sandwiches which cost a few extra hundred yen. These come with options like strawberry, blueberry and mandarin orange, all finished with a thick drizzle of sauce.
4. Centre The Bakery
Centre The Bakery is the lovechild of Brasserie Viron, a popular French boulangerie in Marunouchi, and is arguably best known for its trendy toast (hint: this is the place where you get to pick your own toaster). Still, bread fans were on the right track when they headed here for its fruit sandwiches instead. For a bakery that specializes in plain bread, its genius mix of fresh cream, mascarpone and custard for its cream is anything but.
Fruit sandwiches only go on sale from 11 am after the freshly made bread is ready to go. The sandwich is untoasted, fluffy and filled with seasonal fruits. The result is pretty spectacular: an airy, fluffy sandwich with richness from the custard and tanginess of the fruits.
5. Initial Omotesando
For a trendy cafe in Omotesando, Initial certainly looks the part with its cool-toned, all-concrete furnishings and splashes of greenery. Hailing from Sapporo, it was one of the first stores to popularize “shime parfait,” a trendy “meal-ending” parfait that usually consists of soft serve, cream and fruits. Don’t forget that you’re here for their fruit sandwiches, though!
These picturesque creations are packed with fruit and feature sugar-free fresh cream specifically crafted for the sandwiches. The “Mikan Flower” is a snap-worthy shot, featuring round slices of oranges, grapes as leaves and kiwi as stems to resemble a flower in its cross-section.
6. Kaikaina
Picture next-level, drool-worthy fruit sandwiches and you’ll have Kaikaina. This fruit sandwich shop by Omotesando is manned by two brothers and is known for its unique selection of creams. The owners recommend starting with the classic milk cream for first-timers, but flavors like chocolate, oreo and time-limited matcha are how Kaikaina stands out among a sea of other sando specialty stores.
The yogurt cream is available from 1 pm on Tuesday or Saturday, and you may also be tempted to revisit for their acai bowl and smoothies.
7. Maruichi Bagel
Maruichi Bagel brings a New York lilt to Japan’s fruit sandwich scene. This owner, who trained in New York, churns out bagels the way Florence and Gene Wilpon from Ess-a-Bagel would. Now, this hole-in-the-wall spot brings to Shirokane locals a small variation of bagels like sesame, poppy, cinnamon raisin and blueberry.
What’s not standard is the fruit bagel on the menu: a Seven Grain Honey bagel packed with chunks of seasonal mixed fruits like kiwi, apple, strawberry, grapes and nectarines. French cream cheese takes the place of whipped cream, so it’s a medley of flavors and textures — firm and dense from the bagel; chewy and salty from the cheese; and sweet and sour from the fruits.
8. Meijuan
The merging of old-school bread, natural starter and red bean paste producers that have been in business since the Meiji period birthed Meijuan. Recognizable by its pink curtain frame in the Kita area, the freshly baked shokupan in this store is laden with swirls of red bean paste, a spread nostalgic to many Tokyoites. So, when they came up with the red bean-fruit sandwich hybrid, it immediately became a crowd-pleaser.
There are two varieties to choose from: sandwiches made with red bean paste bread and loaded with mascarpone whipped cream, and sandwiches with bean paste whipped cream. Both options offer a delicious blend of traditional and modern Japanese flavors.
9. Shibuya Nishimura Fruit Parlour
Right by the Hachiko Statue and Shibuya Scramble Square, Shibuya Nishimura Fruit Parlour began as a high-end fruit parlor in 1910 and continues to specialize in rare and expensive fruit breeds to this day — picture square watermelons, Miyazaki mangos and musk melons among their offerings. The first floor is its fruit shop, but you’ll want to head up to the second floor which houses the parlor.
The menu includes indulgent parfaits and sandwiches that are unapologetically extravagant. The standard fruit sandwich is crammed with fresh cream and seasonal fruits. You can also opt for the premium sandwich, which offers double the portion for almost double the price.
Nishimura’s dessert lineup also includes traditional Japanese sweets like anmitsu, featuring red beans and agar.
10. Kindan Kajitsu
The name translates to “forbidden fruit,” which is apt as apples take front and center in this Nakameguro store. Kindan Kajitsu sits on the quieter streets by Meguro River with a breakfast menu for early risers that includes an eyebrow-raising combo like the “Elvis” — toasted sandwich with banana, peanut butter, bacon and honey with cracked black pepper (said to be the rock and roll singer’s favorite stack).
You’ll want to pay attention to the eponymous “Forbidden Fruit” sandwich that’s available from 10 am. It’s made up of apple, pork belly, onion and cheese. We like to think that this might be an award-winning combo similar to bacon and maple, but if you’re not swayed by the sweet-salty crowd yet, their regular fruit sandwiches are just as epic.
11. Wood Berry’s
Technically, this is a frozen yogurt shop, but Wood Berry’s fruit sandwich-yogurt hybrid is too good not to list. The store pumps out made-to-order frozen yogurt from your choice of fruit. Most harvests are sourced from the shop’s own farm in Yamanashi Prefecture.
Their standout item is the fruit yogurt sandwich, available from October to April, featuring homemade cream whipped from the same yogurt base.
12. Takano Fruit Parlor
Takano Fruit Parlor is a fruit specialty shop that opened in 1885, around the same time Shinjuku Station began operating, and boasts its own production factory. Inside the shop, its flagship cafe is renowned for its parfaits, generously adorned with mountains of fruits.
Takano doesn't hold back with its sandwiches either. Their fluffy, thick-cut sandwiches are generously filled with cream and a mix of fruits such as strawberries, kiwis, mangoes and bananas.
Want to know more about all the seasonal Japanese fruits? Read our guide to Japanese fruits. Or, for premium coffee to pair with your fruity sandwich, explore these Tokyo cafes with amazing coffee.
Fruit sandwiches in Tokyo FAQs
1. What are fruit sandwiches called in Tokyo?
Fruit sandwiches in Tokyo are typically known as "fruit sando" (フルーツサンド), a popular Japanese snack featuring fresh fruits and cream sandwiched between soft, fluffy bread.
2. Where can I buy fruit sandwiches in Tokyo?
You can find delicious fruit sandwiches in various places across Tokyo, including specialty bakeries, convenience stores like FamilyMart and Lawson, and upscale department store food halls such as Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya.
3. What fruits are commonly used in Tokyo fruit sandwiches?
Tokyo fruit sandwiches often feature a variety of fruits such as strawberries, kiwi, Japanese peaches (momo) and even more exotic fruits like mango or pineapple, depending on the season.
4. Are fruit sandwiches in Tokyo sweet or savory?
Fruit sandwiches in Tokyo are typically sweet, as they are made with ripe, juicy fruits and occasionally enhanced with sweetened whipped cream or custard to complement the natural sweetness of the fruits.
5. Are there vegan or vegetarian fruit sandwiches in Tokyo?
Yes, there are vegan and vegetarian options available for fruit sandwiches in Tokyo. Fruits and Season offers vegan fruit sandwiches. Other bakeries offer versions made with soy-based cream or without any cream at all.
