Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory Kichijoji

The story of the Shirohige pastry shop begins in 2008 when the 1rst shop, called Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory, is inaugurated in Setagaya. It then benefits from a unique status: it is the only store to sell Totoro-shaped cream puffs that are officially acknowledged by Hayao Miyazaki and allowed by Studio Ghibli. As a matter of fact, the workshop is managed by one of Miyazaki’s sisters-in-law, in a family-centered exclusive partnership.

The artisanal production is limited to about 200 cream puffs per day, to take away or to eat-in in the shop’s tea room space. Rarity is a big part of their success and the puffs are often sold-out by the end of the day.

In 2018, the 2nd permanent address called Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory Kichijoji is inaugurated near the famous Ghibli Museum and Inokashira Park in the west of Tokyo. Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s fans can indulge in official pastries after or before visiting the museum. Note that this shop is only for take away and is relatively less busy than the historical Setagaya shop, which makes it easier to find Totoro puffs throughout the day.

Totoro cream puffs and cookies in a Shirohige totebag

During the opening hours, the tiny shop is signaled by a giant wooden Totoro panel placed in front of its cute and retro-style storefront. Inside, the display of many official figurines and plush toys from the Ghibli universe and the drawings and watercolor paintings on the walls create a feeling of wonder. The counter is filled with cream puffs, available in 10 flavors, both annual and seasonal, such as:

• Vanilla custard cream, the base flavor and the more affordable;
• Chocolate 🍫, the other staple flavor;
• Strawberry 🍓, available from January to June;
• Banana 🍌 and caramel, on sale from January to March;
• Matcha 🍵 flavor, to enjoy between April and June;
• Blueberry 🫐 yogurt, available July to September;
• Mango 🥭, on sale between July and September;
• Chestnut 🌰 cream for autumn, from October to December; and,
• Cream cheese and raspberry, to also enjoy from October to December.

The aerial texture of the cream works perfectly with the crunchiness of the pastry, with flavors selected to please the largest number, without surprising taste. Each flavor is indicated in a unique way on the Totoro’s ears: for example, a blue hat tops the chocolate cream puff.

On top of that, Kichijoji’s is the exclusive seller of the "Cat-bus sandwich" (neko basu sando) that is also very popular. It is a generous cat 🐈-shaped cake, garnished with butter cream and flavored with raisin and rum.

In addition to cream pastries that must be consumed quickly, tourists traveling in Japan can also bring back omiyage souvenirs from the Ghibli universe:

• Dried biscuits sold individually;
• A Totoro cookies box; and,
• A totebag featuring the character Shirohige ("white beard"), in the new range of canva bags available since 2026, April 1rst.

Shirohige’s Cream Puff Factory Kichijoji can be included in a Ghibli-themed tour in the pleasant residential neighborhood of Kichijoji, in the west of Tokyo.

Ghibli-themed tour in Kichijoji

In addition to the 2 official Ghibli addresses that are the Totoro cream puff shop and the historical museum dedicated to the animation studio, we recommend visiting 2 other places, located near the Kichijoji JR and Keio stations:

• Kichijoji Petit Mura, a lovely cat-themed miniature village with an atypical architecture in the spirit of Miyazaki’s movies; and,
• Corn Barley (吉祥寺コーンバレー), a restaurant specializing in menus inspired by Ghibli movies in a carefully thought and immersive decoration.

Lastly, and back to the center of the capital, it is still possible to go on a shopping spree in one of the 4 official Donguri shops of Tokyo. Pop-up shops selling the Factory’s Totoro cream puffs also open frequently in the capital’s shopping malls, especially at Matsuya Ginza department store.