Chocolatier Erica, Shirokanedai

For a stretch of roughly 800 meters in Shirokanedai, Gaien-Nishi Dori is nicknamed Platinum Street, or Platina Dori, a charming avenue lined with gingko trees, upscale boutiques and stylish cafes. Here, you will find Tokyo’s very own Chocolatier Erica. You can’t miss the signature mint green and clean white trimmed exterior. Inside, the shop is bustling with locals looking for their chocolate fix.

Japanese-owned Chocolatier Erica has only this one location, and was founded in 1982. The staff say the reason they have stayed in business for over 30 years is because they “never change” the quality of their chocolate products.

Most popular is the silky milk chocolate bar called a Ma Bonne Bar. This bar is about 38 centimeters long, a solid block of chocolate, left up to you to cut a modest slice. The bar is packed with chopped walnuts and homemade fluffy marshmallows. It makes a perfect gift for any occasion, either beautifully gift-wrapped or left as-is in its contemporary designed box.

Assorted truffles and other chocolate treasures are displayed at the front counter. A few other faves, like mint dark chocolate leaves, almonds with a dark chocolate shell, and white chocolate raisin hearts, will satisfy the sweetest tooth. I personally recommend sitting in the café and sipping a decadent hot cocoa while enjoying a house-made truffle tasting plate. But if you’d rather avoid the temptation of an in-person visit, you can also order gifts from the café’s online store.

Before you hit the imported chocolatiers in Tokyo this season, check out Chocolatier Erica, and taste why it is a household name held close to the heart by locals.

The Deets

Address: 4-6-43 Shirokanedai, Minato-Ku, Tokyo

Tel: 03-3473-1656

Open: Daily, 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. (closed during the month of August due to climate, as well as Dec. 31 to Jan. 3 for the New Year holidays)