Asakusa Ningyoyaki: Watching Fresh Ningyoyaki Being Made on Nakamise Street
When people think of classic Asakusa souvenirs, ningyoyaki almost always comes to mind.
But one ningyoyaki shop in Nakamise Street offers something extra—
a simple but clever idea that naturally draws in visitors.
In this article, I’d like to share what makes it special.
You Can Watch Ningyo-yaki Being Made
この投稿をInstagramで見る
I filmed this myself on December 26, 2025, and it was fascinating to watch.
Right behind the cash register, you can see a machine actively baking ningyoyaki.
Each piece is carefully picked up by the machine and cooked right in front of you.
Usually, when we buy sweets, we only see the final product already wrapped and ready to go.
Being able to watch the production process makes the experience much more engaging—and honestly, it makes you want to buy some.
It’s a great example of smart marketing:
entertaining visitors while naturally promoting the product.
I wasn’t the only one filming. Many other visitors were taking photos and videos too.
And when people post those videos on blogs or social media, the product gets shared automatically.
It’s very well thought out.
Affordable and Easy to Buy
A box of eight costs 400 yen, which comes out to just 50 yen per piece.
It’s an easy price point for souvenirs, whether you’re buying for friends or for yourself.
Another nice point is that ningyo-yaki is clean and easy to carry.
It doesn’t make your hands messy and doesn’t create extra trash,
so it’s perfect for slipping into your bag—or even enjoying while walking through Nakamise Street.
Freshly Made Ningyo-yaki on New Year’s Day
On January 1, 2026, I visited Asakusa again—and was pleasantly surprised.
For New Year’s Day only, the shop was selling ningyo-yaki individually, which they normally don’t do.
Each piece cost 100 yen, a bit more than buying the box, but perfect for people who just want to try one—or want it freshly made.
Of course, I bought one.
It was about 5 cm in size, with the kanji “Kaminarimon” carved into the surface.
The outside was soft and fluffy, like castella cake, and the inside was filled with sweet red bean paste.
The sweetness was well balanced—mild enough that even people who don’t like overly sweet desserts could enjoy it easily.
One important note: cash only. Credit cards and electronic payments are not accepted.
Honke Bairindo on Nakamise Street
This shop is called Honke Bairindo, and it’s located on the left side just after entering Nakamise Street.
There are several ningyo-yaki shops along Nakamise, but at a quick glance, this one seems to be among the most affordable.
Next time, I might compare ningyoyaki from different shops and do a taste test.
New Year’s Day in Asakusa 2026 #1 Tobu Asakusa Station Before Entering the Crowd
New Year’s Day Motuni in Asakusa: The Ultimate Winter Comfort Food
