HIGASHIYA man" in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo

HIGASHIYA man is a manju shop located in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo. Freshly steamed manju is sold in a fashionable storefront that is suitable for the sophisticated cityscape.

Soda Manju

The famous "soda bun" is a cracked dough covered with molasses. The name comes from the use of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). The price is 200 yen (tax included).

The size is one size larger than convenience store steamed buns. Not only freshly steamed, but even after some time has passed, they are so soft and fluffy that you will want to stuff your face into them. The name "soda buns" made me imagine a soda-like, sizzling sensation, but the texture is soft, fluffy, and glutinous in the mouth. You can enjoy the texture like steamed bread.


The slightly sweet dough is enriched by the honey. The taste is nostalgic and relaxing. Photogenic sweets are good, but a simple manjuu is very relaxing, isn't it? It is also good to eat it with green tea or hojicha (roasted green tea).

Iced Monaka

Since it was a hot day when I visited the store, I ordered an additional "iced monaka" to cool off. The "iced monaka" is a sandwich of vanilla ice cream and homemade sweet bean paste. The price is 300 yen (tax included).


Because they are made to order, the monaka is so crispy that you can hear the sound of chewing. The bean paste with just the right amount of texture left is a perfect match with the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth ice cream. And after a little time, the melted ice cream soaks into the middles, making them moist!


The savory monaka and the refined sweetness of the sweet bean paste weave together to create a Japanese flavor. The vanilla ice cream adds to the mix, creating a delicious blend of Japanese and Western flavors. The ice cream is accented with a hint of salt. The refreshing aftertaste makes it a perfect snack on a hot day.

There is no eat-in space in the store, but we recommend trying both the soda buns and iced monaka "freshly steamed". A stroll through Aoyama with a Japanese confectionary in hand is also a fun experience.