Planet Chocolat

Tucked into a street corner in Ginza 8-chome, Planet Chocolat serves European-style table breads, baked goods, coffee, and drinks in an easygoing cafe setting. The pretzel display catches the eye right at the entrance, featuring traditional twisted Laugenbrezels alongside slender pretzel sticks. Standouts include the butter-in pretzel and butter-in stick pretzel, both baked with salted butter tucked directly inside the dough. The gentle salinity of the crust melds with the rich, mellow butter, making them enduring favorites for takeaway or a quick savory bite.

Beyond pretzels, the baked goods extend to savory choices like the spinach and feta cheese snack strudel, as well as sweet pastries such as the anko gipfel—pairing lightly salted laminated dough with textured sweet red bean paste—and a chestnut-filled kuri-anko gipfel. Bite-sized canelés scented with rum and vanilla, along with chocolate macaron assortments featuring dark, milk, and white varieties, round out the dessert counter for an afternoon treat.

Drink pairings are equally versatile. Guests can choose from cafe lattes and organic coffees brewed with beans imported directly from select Brazilian estates, single-origin pour-overs like Mandheling and Mocha Java, or pours of European beers such as Paulaner and Brooklyn Lager. Compact and centered around a tidy counter bar, the interior accommodates solo visits and brief respites from shopping. Every pastry and drink is also available for takeaway, making it easy to drop in during a stroll through Ginza.