Have you had the opportunity to try eating Japanese-style sweets? They’re called wagashi, and if you haven’t eaten them before, then you absolutely have to visit Mahorodou Sougetsu, a wagashi shop at Gōtoku-ji in Setagaya. The shop has a bright atmosphere and at-home vibe, its good humoured owner is waiting to greet you with a smile.

The owner is from Sangenjaya, an area located in Setagaya. They decided to open Mahorodou Sougetsu because they wanted to open a wagashi shop in Setagaya Ward. This area was of particular interest to open the shop in as it maintains the mood of the town, and you can also watch the Setagaya Line from t he window.

The shop’s name originates from the Japanese word sougetsu, which indicates a blue moon which is said to bring happiness if you look at it, and mahoroba, and old fashioned way of describing a beautiful place.

You can eat in at the shop either at the counter or at one of the two tables. These eat-in spaces were designed with the elderly in mind who drop in to buy some wagashi so they can sit and rest for a little while.

“I love simplicity,” says the owner. The main colour of the shop interior is white and the flooring is made with soil. Each seat in the shop is surrounded by items made with old trees, which bring a warmth and cleanliness to the shop’s atmosphere.

In addition to wagashi, the shop also sell small accessories such as hand towels. The hand towels are from Kamawanu, a shop in Daikanyama that specializes in hand towels. You can also use them for wrapping up any wagashi you purchase in-store.

The pride of Mahorodou Sougetsu falls to their homemade anko (red bean paste). The majority of wagashi shops in Japan purchase their anko from anko shops, but Mahorodou Sougetsu make theirs carefully over a period of half a month to a month. It’s made with the utmost care and attention to create an absolute gem product that you’ll never tire of. On their menu you will find Aomame Daifuku (￥170) as well as Nekodora (￥190), which is a dorayaki (red bean pancake) with a waving cat on the front. This sweet was made in collaboration with Gōtoku-ji, a temple that is said to be the origin of the “Maneki Neko” (beckoning cat)!

Mahorodou Sougetsu also moves with the seasons, releasing limited edition seasonal menus throughout the year. This season’s recommendation is the Ichigo Daifuku (￥240). It contains a blend of sweet white bean paste and strained bean paste which go together perfectly with the strawberry! For drinks, you can sip on sencha and houjicha made using tea leaves from Suiseien in Fukuoka, matcha that uses tea from Kyoto, and coffee.

There aren’t many tramways in the city, but Setagaya has them. You can enjoy eating wagashi that you’ll never get tired of and while gazing at the Setagaya Line. If you’re looking to spend a luxuriously relaxing time, then please be sure to try visiting Mahorodou Sougetsu.