Mmm…what could possibly be better than a scrumptious cream puff? One shaped like Totoro, of course! And that’s exactly what you’ll find at Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory in Kichijōji. This charming patisserie is owned by the sister-in-law of Studio Ghibli’s founder, Hayao Miyazaki, and currently operates two locations in Tokyo.
We visited the smaller, cosier shop in Kichijōji, which is more of a grab-and-go spot with standing room only (from what I could tell). While the Daito location offers more of a café vibe, the Kichijōji store is perfectly situated en route to the Ghibli Museum, setting the tone for a day of whimsical Ghibli magic.
What is Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory?
Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory is famous for its Totoro-shaped choux pastry cream puffs, inspired by Studio Ghibli’s 1988 film My Neighbor Totoro. As the only officially licensed patisserie authorised to sell Studio Ghibli-themed baked goods, its connection to the Miyazaki family makes it truly special.
This exclusive connection to the Ghibli universe makes Shirohige’s a must-visit destination for any Ghibli fan—and it’s exactly why it was at the top of my itinerary!
Where is Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory (Kichijoji) Located?
Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory is tucked down a small street in Kichijōji, just a 4-minute walk from the south-east exit of Kichijōji Station. While the large orange Totoro sign outside makes it stand out, the shop itself blends in with the surrounding buildings.
Apparently, the cream puffs sell like hot cakes, so it’s best to arrive early to make sure you don’t miss out on your favourite flavours! We visited on a Saturday morning and arrived at 11 a.m., only to find a decent queue already forming. By the time it was our turn to order, it was around 11:30 a.m.
Address: 2-7-5 Kichijōji Minamimachi, Musashino-shi, Tokyo
Business hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. (The store is closed every Tuesday, except public holidays.)
Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory Menu
The main attraction at Shirohige’s is their irresistibly cute Totoro cream puffs. When we visited, there were four flavours to choose from. They always have two staple go-to flavours—custard and chocolate—plus a variety of seasonal picks. Since we visited in autumn (October), Chestnut and Raspberry were added to the menu.
Each Totoro puff came with its own signature look—a leaf or tiny hat—showing off the flavour in the most adorable way possible! Seriously, they were sooo cute!! It almost felt like a crime to bite into one!
It was really tough to pick just one flavour—everything looked so tempting! But in the end, I decided on the classic custard and fresh cream. This little Totoro cream puff had a cute green leaf on its head.
In addition to the cream puffs, the store also offers freshly-baked Ghibli-inspired cookies, all beautifully packaged. On the website, it says that they create cakes as well. However, cakes are only available via pre-order.
Oishii!
With our little Totoros in hand, we made our way on foot to nearby Inokashira Park to savour them in the serene green surroundings. Lucky for us, the store provides a mini ice pack to keep the pastries chilled in the box.
I couldn’t help but feel like a monster devouring the cute Totoro cream puff! But my goodness, it was absolutely delicious. The pastry was light and fluffy, not doughy at all, and the custard cream was just the right level of sweetness, which I really appreciated.
Final thoughts
Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory is definitely worth the detour if you’re in Kichijōji or visiting the Ghibli Museum. The adorable pastries make it a must-visit for any Ghibli fan or anyone with a sweet tooth. I’m already looking forward to a second visit—next time, I’ll be heading to the Daita store and indulging in the seasonal flavours!