Craving a donut in Tokyo and wondering where to look first? There are a number of delicious destinations to get your fix across the city, and this guide covers five that are well worth checking out.
Dumbo Doughnuts and Coffee
Just a couple of minutes on foot from Azabujuban Station, Dumbo Doughnuts and Coffee serves up some massive donuts with a mix of traditional, Japanese, and fusion flavors available. Some of the offerings include a matcha, kuromitsu (black sugar syrup) and kinako (roasted soybean flour) donut, their traditional glazed donut, or the hojicha caramel brûlée donut. There is only minimal seating inside the blink and you'll miss it store, so plan to take your sweet treat to-go during busy periods.
2 Chome-17-6 Azabujuban, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0045
Floresta Nature Donuts
Although Floresta Nature Donuts is a chain, don't let that deter you from stopping into one of their store locations. Their donuts are as natural and additive-free as possible, with a focus on utilizing locally-sourced and organic ingredients. Part of the draw behind the donuts here is just how cute they are – they're known for their adorable animal creations that are almost too cute to indulge in.
Several locations in Tokyo (and beyond), store locator on their website.
Hara Donuts
Another chain (again, don't let that discourage you), Hara Donuts incorporates a unique ingredient into their products – okara, otherwise known as the pulp that's leftover when making tofu or soy milk. Often praised for feeling lighter than many other donuts on the market, their tasty treats come in a variety of flavors including classic cinnamon, soybean and kinako, and café mocha.
Slightly off topic, but for those interested, you can learn about how to make okara granola in this virtual cooking class hosted by Japan Travel.
Multiple locations in Tokyo (and beyond), visit the store locator on their website.
Higuma Doughnuts
With ingredients sourced from the agricultural wonderland of Hokkaido, the donuts at Higuma come in various flavors including simple plain donuts (¥230) through to kinako (¥270) and honey mascarpone (¥320). If you're after a resounding review of their offerings, be sure to read this write-up by Japan Travel partner Sleiman – he describes their donuts as "subdued, gentle, and full of depth".
Stores in Meguro and Omotesando, location info on their website.
Good Town Doughnuts
With mouthwatering flavors like maple bacon, s'mores, and California strawberry lemonade, Good Town Doughnuts is like a little slice of America in Tokyo. For those looking for a taste of Japan, however, their Kyoto Uji Matcha donut is one of the more locally-inspired options. There are also a number of vegan donut options on the menu here, meaning that there's something to cater to just about everyone's needs.
6 Chome-13-6 Jingumae, Tokyo 150-0001
In Kyoto and wondering where to stop for donuts? Check out this guide to the city's offerings here.
