This time, I visited a cake shop tucked away in a quiet residential area of Horiuchi, Hayama, called Fruhling. With its modest sign, I found myself wondering, “Is there really a cake shop out this way?” as I made my way down a narrow street — and then this charming standalone patisserie appeared. It’s actually been selected as one of Tabelog’s top 100 sweets shops. In this post, I’ll share everything I loved about visiting.
Charm #1: A Hidden House Patisserie Tucked Into a Quiet Neighborhood
Fruhling sits in a quiet residential area, about a 7-8 minute walk from the Kazahaya-bashi bus stop after a bus ride from JR Zushi Station. It’s tucked just off the main road, so first-time visitors might get a little lost. It used to have an eat-in space, but by the time I visited, it seemed to be takeout only (this reflects what I saw at the time of my visit, so please check with the shop for the latest).
I kept wondering if it was really down this way. Finding it felt like a small victory.
Charm #2: Confections Rooted in Viennese Pastry Tradition
The shop is run by pastry chef Hiroyuki Takahashi. After training at a well-known shop in Tokyo, he spent 15 years honing his craft at a renowned Viennese confectionery. He also has award history at the Japan Cake Show, one of the country’s biggest cake competitions, and it shows in the skill behind every pastry. The signature Sachertorte follows the technique he learned in Vienna, adjusted to be less sweet for Japanese tastes.
Charm #3: Financiers Straight From the Oven
The staff were incredibly kind and let me try a financier straight out of the oven. A warm financier has a completely different kind of deliciousness than one that’s cooled down. Apparently, some regulars time their visits specifically to catch them fresh.
The freshly baked financier was crisp outside and moist inside — it was such a happy moment.
Charm #4: A Glimpse Into the Kitchen, Like a Live Cooking Show
The shop has a glass-walled kitchen, so you can watch the staff carefully baking cakes right in front of you. Just watching everything being made with such care naturally makes you look forward to tasting it. They bake in small batches throughout the day, so there’s a good chance of finding something fresh out of the oven.
Charm #5: Cakes That Change With the Season, Perfect for Gifts Too
The display case is filled with cakes that change with the seasons, so there’s always something new to discover. The selection of baked goods is great too, perfect for a small gift. This shop has actually been selected for Tabelog’s “Sweets East Top 100” list (according to Tabelog reviews).
This time I tried three items: the Financier (280 yen), a seasonal matcha mousse (600 yen, which changes depending on the time of year), and the Fruhling Roll (400 yen). Every one of them had a gentle sweetness, and I finished them all in no time.
Note for Families with Babies and Young Kids
Since the shop is currently takeout only, there’s no need to worry about spending a long time inside — being able to quickly pop in and pick out something sweet is a nice plus for families with kids. Details like how easy it is to bring in a stroller haven’t been confirmed, so if that matters to you, it’s a good idea to check with the shop beforehand.
Dog-Friendly Info
Since it’s a takeout-only shop, it’s easy to stop by even with your dog. Whether dogs are allowed inside hasn’t been confirmed, but picking up something sweet and enjoying it together nearby seems like a great way to go.
Access Information
Shop Name: Fruhling
Address: 563 Horiuchi, Hayama, Miura District, Kanagawa
Hours: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays (open on public holidays)
Parking: Available (5 spaces)
Phone: 046-876-7520 (reservations accepted, in person or by phone)
Instagram: @fruhling_725
*Prices and details are as of the time of this visit. Please check the shop’s Instagram for the latest information.
Summary: Careful, Handmade Sweets Found in a Hayama Neighborhood
Fruhling sits quietly in a Hayama neighborhood. It’s a patisserie built on genuine technique learned in Vienna, a real commitment to serving things fresh, and the pleasure of something new each season. It’s a wonderful spot for a gift or for treating yourself.
I’m already planning to sneak back and time my next visit around when things come out of the oven.
Sources: Tabelog reviews, Tabelog shop listing, on-site reporting (all content rewritten) / Reference articles: newcal, “[Hayama] A Popular Gift Pick! Fruhling’s ‘Goyotei Lemon’ Is a Refreshingly Crisp New Local Favorite” https://newcal.jp/feature/zushi-fruhling_2; Shonanjin Blog, “[Hayama Gourmet Report] Fruhling” https://shonanjin.com/gourmet/hayama-fruhling/; THE CANVAS HOTEL Blog, “Fruhling” https://thecanvashotel.jp/blog/detail/index.php?id=673
Hi, this is Peli from Hayama Navi!
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