Every time I go to San Gabriel Valley a new boba place has popped up. Most are hit and miss but I enjoyed the player in town, Bon Appetea. I got the lychee rose oolong with lychee jelly. It was packed with lychee and rose flavor with a hint of oolong. Perfection!
I also fell in love with the reading nook they created (pictured behind the drink). How adorable is that? There’s also plenty of table seating to the right of the nook for those who want to dine on their small bites. I’ll be back next time to enjoy the reading nook.
Studio Ghibli and My Neighbor Totoro fans can now fawn over Totoro cream puffs. Yes, a Totoro cream puff factory does indeed exist! It was opened in 2008 by Shirohige, also known as white bread in Japanese. Sources says this factory is also owned by the Miyazaki family. Hayao Miyazaki is the founder of Studio Ghibli and director of My Neighbor Totoro. Miyazaki also created a pig nosed animation of Shirohige, the baker.
This will also be the cutest place you visit. The inside is adorned with everything Totoro and Studio Ghibli. Even the bathroom has a Totoro smiling at you. Sadly, I forgot to take pictures.
You can buy your Totoro cream puffs downstairs if you choose to consume them later. If you choose to eat them there, there is a cafe upstairs. However, they do require each person to buy one drink minimum.
The flavors are seasonal and are indicated by the type of decoration Totoro adorns.
I got the strawberry cream (pink flower) and matcha green tea custard (yellow hat). My favorite was the strawberry cream because there were chunks of fresh strawberry in it.
Hello my neighbor Totoro! 🙂
The factory is located in Setagaya, about a 20 min train ride from Tokyo. When you get out the Setagaya station, make a right. Pass Lawson and make another right into the neighbor and follow the path until you reach Shirohige’s.
YUMTRAVELS 