Follow the Aroma and Discover Tasty Sweet Chestnuts
Published: February 3, 2025
※Prices are subject to change from those in effect at the time of the interview. Please contact the store directly for the latest information.
Established in 1954, “Ishii no Amaguri Kameido Branch” has been serving sweet chestnuts for over 70 years.
Chestnuts are slowly roasted in the kettle at the back of the shop
Being in a shotengai (a traditional shopping street in Japan), you’ll probably feel like nibbling on something simple as you stroll from shop to shop. These sweet chestnuts are delicious and incredibly soft, but what truly stands out is how easy they are to peel! In Spain, we often eat them hard, straight from the tree, so peeling them is usually a real struggle. That makes this Japanese version feel like a little miracle in your hands.
A sweet aroma of chestnuts fills the air.
Not sure where the entrance is? Just follow the smell of chestnuts! In Spain, chestnuts are only available for about two months in winter. Sometimes we roast them, especially on special nights with the family gathered in front of the fireplace. But in this shop, chestnuts are available all year round. The type may change with the seasons, but the flavor stays consistently good.
Since no additives are used, the shelf life is approximately three days. To ease the concerns of customers who wonder if they can finish it in time, sweet chestnuts are available in a variety of sizes, from small to large.
They offer small, travel-friendly packs, perfect for fitting into your suitcase or even enjoying as a snack on the shinkansen (bullet train) or a flight. While sweet chestnuts are the signature item, the shop also offers a variety of other chestnut-based treats, like little cakes, cookies, and more.
The roasting method is similar to that of baked sweet potatoes. Small, heated black pebbles are mixed with the chestnuts, allowing them to be evenly heated from all sides. After about an hour of slow roasting, the chestnuts turn soft and fluffy, bringing out their natural sweetness and aroma.
As you enter this traditional shop, you’ll immediately see the kettle that has been there for decades. It can cook up to 15 kilograms of chestnuts at once! The chestnuts are carefully selected to create a more intense and satisfying aroma.
The store manager recommends enjoying them by reheating them in a toaster oven. While it’s not highly recommended due to the risk of bursting, if you use a microwave, placing the chestnuts in a paper bag is key. The paper bag helps prevent them from popping and also absorbs excess moisture.
If you warm up the chestnuts, not only will you enjoy their flavor even more, but peeling them will also become much easier. You can find tips on how to peel chestnuts easily on their website. I didn’t know there was a specific technique until now, but now that I do, it totally makes sense!
The charm of “Ishii no Amaguri Kameido Branch” isn’t just in the aroma and sweetness, but also in the texture.
They have many regular customers, especially those who come every year at the end of the year to buy their chestnuts. They also ship nationwide, so if you’re in the area, drop by to pick up some chestnuts, and if not, have them delivered to your address in Japan and give them a try!
≪English Reporter Journalist Profile≫
・Name：Diana
・Nationality：Spain
・Hobbies：Dancing, Bon Odori, DIY, and Crafts
※Information is based on July 2025. Prices, operating hours, and other details may change. Please verify with the store directly.
※All amounts mentioned in the article are inclusive of taxes.
