Okashitsukasa Ryugetsu

Plump, tender rice dumplings glazed in sweet-savory sauce with a fragrant char define the mitarashi dango at Okashitsukasa Ryugetsu in Toyotamakita, Nerima. The showcase is stocked with unpretentious asanamagashi, freshly made morning confections that range from mitarashi to sweet bean paste skewers. The dango are so tender they are often compared to a baby's cheek, balanced by the aroma of toasted rice and grill marks. Regulars often pick up 1 of each variety without second thought.

Equally well-regarded is the mame daifuku. Fine-textured, fragrant mochi wraps around coarsely mashed tsubuan cooked with restrained sweetness, letting the natural flavor of the azuki beans take center stage. The counter also offers pillowy suama, rustic dorayaki, kinako-dusted ohagi, and the house specialty Kimigomori, covering everything from an afternoon bite to boxed gifts.

The shop operates from 9:30 in the morning until 19:30 in the evening every day except Monday, and accepts PayPay alongside cash. It makes an ideal stop on the walk home or ahead of afternoon tea for fresh, soft mochi sweets to carry away.