A Beloved Simple Taste Passed Down Through Generations

Patisserie Au Suga

Tabiiro’s picks: signature dishes

Irresistibly retro and cute "Tanuki-san Cake"

"Tanuki-san Cake" Back in the Spotlight with the Showa Retro Revival

"Tanuki-san Cake" was widely familiar at Western-style confectionery shops across Japan from the late 1950s through the 1970s, but over time the number of confectioners able to make it declined nationwide. In recent years, however, the Showa retro trend has brought renewed attention through social media and other channels. A charming tanuki face made with rich buttercream and chocolate cake is coated in crisp chocolate, with each handmade cake bearing a slightly different expression. The buttercream long used at the shop is distinguished by restrained sweetness and a clean finish. Although "Tanuki-san Cake" has been described as "an endangered species of the confectionery world," the nostalgic sweet has remained in people's memories, with some fans traveling from afar specifically to seek out its distinctive flavor.

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  A Warm, Handcrafted Character Found in Every Creation

  Each handmade cake has a slightly different expression and tilt of the face, giving every piece its own distinctive charm. Seasonal details such as leaves and flowers decorating the top of the head also change throughout the year. Each cake is carefully shaped by hand and finished with a crisp chocolate coating. Its photogenic appearance makes it well suited to a personal treat, souvenir, or gift.

Popular pairings

Seasonal blueberry tart and Kirsch Torte

Basque-style Cheesecake and "Gateau Caramel"

Paired with carefully crafted coffee made from high-quality beans

Choice of a favorite cake from the display case

Seasonal tart

"Tea Time Set"

The "Tea Time Set" is an especially well-received choice in the cafe space, offering two cakes selected freely from the display case. The option to choose two makes it easy to sample different combinations without narrowing the selection to a single cake. The drink menu is also extensive, with coffee prepared to a standard comparable to a specialty shop and paired carefully with the cakes. The calm interior provides a relaxed setting for savoring favorite sweets at a leisurely pace.

Must-try signature dish

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  "Basque-Style Cheesecake"

  This popular cake is baked until the surface is deeply caramelized, creating a fragrant finish that contrasts with the rich, creamy texture within. It also pairs well with other cakes in the "Tea Time Set."

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  Recommended Cakes Featuring Seasonal Flavors

  Several seasonal cakes are usually available, making the shop an inviting place for spontaneous visits. Cakes featuring seasonal fruits from Nagano, such as peaches, apples, Shine Muscat grapes, and Shinano Purple grapes, bring the flavors of Japan's four seasons to the display.

Restaurant highlights

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  Buttercream and chocolate cake

  A Passion for Buttercream

  Buttercream originated in an era when fresh cream was still expensive. As fresh cream gradually became standard in Western-style confectionery, buttercream cakes grew less common, but the shop has continued to make them with care. Rich yet light, the high-quality buttercream melts smoothly in the mouth and can be found in selections such as "Tanuki-san Cake," "Gateau Mocha," and "Nougatine."

Interior

A calm interior with a comforting atmosphere

Paintings displayed on the walls

"Patisserie O Suga" has an exterior that evokes the feeling of being abroad. Beyond the door, a quiet interior with a nostalgic atmosphere offers a calm setting where even solo visitors can stop in casually and spend leisurely personal time away from the bustle of daily life. Choosing a cake in this comforting space adds a small sense of pleasure to the visit.

From the Tabiiro Editorial Team

This beloved backstreet shop has a nostalgic charm and a long-standing place in the local community. Simple, carefully made sweets crafted with skilled techniques have built lasting trust over the years. The selection includes the now-rare "Tanuki-san Cake," along with treats well suited to gifts for someone special or a small personal indulgence.