The Candy Apple Café is an oasis in the dungeon of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo

A new place to relax and replenish your energy reserves.

As the busiest railway station in the world Shinjuku Station has a reputation for being like a dungeon in a video gamewith its labyrinthine structure where it is easy to get lost and desperately need a save point. Now there is a place in the dungeon that can save you and replenish your energy reserves at the same time, and it is called Yaorin Cafe.

▼ Opened at the end of June, Yaorin Café’s trademark product is its candied apples.

Here you will find not only candied apples, but also other candied fruits, including grapeswhich are served on a skewer for 600 yen (US$4.07).

Another unique aspect of the shop is the fact that it sells teas (like the 450 yen iced tea pictured above) that are specifically chosen to pair well with the crunchy glazed fruit. In fact, some customers recommend stopping by for just one drink, because all drinks at Yaorin Cafe come with two free bite-sized pieces of candied apple.

▼ The drinks menu offers a wide selection.

Because candied apples were enjoyed primarily in childhood, many customers haven’t tried the sweet treat in years. Staff say they enjoy seeing the joyful faces of customers when they rediscover the taste, and they are often surprised by how much more sophisticated these treats are.

▼ No thick glazes here – just enough to crunch under the tongue while allowing the fruit to take center stage.

The focus on quality fruit is impressive and that’s because the cafe is run by a fruit and vegetable shop in Nagoya. This ensures that only the freshest seasonal fruit is used and that really makes a difference, creating a sublime balance of sweet and sour notes that is pure perfection.

▼ The candied grapes are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and perfectly chilled, which makes them even more delicious.

Although the shop is not particularly large inside, with only 30 seats, it is the perfect oasis to gather physical strength before setting off to conquer the dungeon outside.

▼ The sweet treats are so good that you might order a cup of candied apples to go for 800 yen.

It’s a great place for apples and a great place to recharge in the middle of the busy station. So next time you need to replenish your energy reserves, make Yaorin your safe place. And you can also enjoy the wonders of these vending machines in the station that release a scent with every purchase.

contact

Yaorin Cafe Shinjuku Station Branch / やوりんカフェ新宿駅
Address: Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 3-38-2 (JR Shinjuku Station, Central East Exit Alps Square)
東京都新宿区新宿3丁目38番2号（JR新宿駅構内・中央東口アルプス広場）
Open: 6:15 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Website (Instagram)

(Read in Japanese)