Family Dining · Practical guide
Gin no An
24-Layer Croissant Taiyaki, Thin-Crust Azuki & Gindaco's Sweet Sensation
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
Last checked against official information: 2026-11-14.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Japanese name | 銀のあん (Gin no An) |
| Category | Dining & Takeaway / Traditional Thin-Crust & 24-Layer Croissant Taiyaki Specialty (Gin no An Official Website) |
| Store Count | Approximately 20–30 locations nationwide across major shopping malls, station plazas, and entertainment districts, operated by HotLand Holdings Co., Ltd. (the parent company of Tsukiji Gindaco) (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | 100% takeaway walk-up counter service (Omochikaeri Senmon): walk up to the open-kitchen glass counter; choose between traditional "Thin-Crust Taiyaki" or viral "Croissant Taiyaki"; staff packages hot, freshly grilled fish-shaped pastries into breathable paper sleeves; pay at register; grab and go |
| Membership Required? | No reservation, membership, or ID required |
| Approximate Price Range | Traditional Thin-Crust Taiyaki ~¥180–¥240; signature Croissant Taiyaki ~¥240–¥300; seasonal specialty flavors ~¥280–¥330; assorted 6-piece gift boxes ~¥1,400–¥1,800; all tax-included (subject to revision) |
| Payment Methods | Cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA), electronic money (iD, QUICPay), and smartphone QR code payments (PayPay, 楽天ペイ) conforming to shopping mall terminals |
| Multilingual Support | Storefront menu boards feature full-color photographs, cross-section diagrams, and clear English names; point-and-order purchasing is effortless |
What it is
Gin no An (銀のあん), developed by HotLand Holdings Co., Ltd. (the renowned culinary mastermind behind Japan's #1 takoyaki empire, Tsukiji Gindaco), is the revolutionary sweets brand that transformed Japan's centuries-old fish-shaped cake tradition (Taiyaki). While honoring the heritage with its Usukawa Taiyaki (an ultra-thin, crackling wafer crust stuffed tail-to-head with sweet Hokkaido azuki bean paste), Gin no An became an international viral sensation by inventing the "Croissant Taiyaki" (クロワッサンたい焼). Crafted by laminating 24 delicate layers of French croissant butter dough, sprinkled with coarse crystal sugar (Zarame), and pressed inside double-sided cast-iron fish molds, the pastry bakes into a square, caramelized waffle-like crust that shatters with an explosive crunch, revealing molten vanilla custard, sweet red bean paste, or seasonal melted chocolate inside!
How to order
Buying warm Taiyaki at Gin no An is fast, fragrant, and simple:
- Approach the open glass counter: Walk up to the bakery window inside the shopping mall or station concourse. You will see rows of golden fish-shaped pastries resting on warming racks.
- NO Otoshi cover charge: Enjoy honest dining—Gin no An charges strictly zero table fee and zero cover charge (¥0 Otoshi)!
- Choose your Taiyaki style:
- Croissant Taiyaki (クロワッサンたい焼 - The World-Famous Invention!): 24-layer buttery puff pastry with a crunchy caramelized sugar crust; rectangular shape with the fish silhouette in the center.
- Usukawa Taiyaki (薄皮たい焼 - Traditional Thin-Crust): Paper-thin, crispy Japanese pancake batter completely overflowing with hot filling.
- Choose your filling:
- Tsubu-an (つぶあん - Sweet Red Bean): Traditional Hokkaido red azuki bean paste with sweet whole beans.
- Rich Custard (濃厚カスタード): Silky vanilla pastry cream with specks of vanilla beans.
- Chocola (ショコラ): Decadent Belgian chocolate cream folded with chocolate chips.
- Seasonal Limited Edition: Rotating seasonal fillings like Sweet Potato (Anno Imo), Uji Matcha, or Marron Chestnut cream!
- Specify immediate eating or gift boxing:
- Tell the clerk: "Sugu tabemasu" (I will eat right away) to receive your hot taiyaki in a handheld paper pouch.
- Or ask for a box ("Bakkusu") to take back to your hotel or picnic.
- Pay at the register: Tap your Suica transit card, credit card, or pay via cash/QR code.
- Take your first crunchy bite: Bite into the caramelized rectangular edge first—the butter, melted sugar crystals, and flaky pastry shatter with an addictive crunch before you reach the hot, sweet center!
What to order first
Dishes below reflect core brand staples officially featured on the Gin no An Official Website:
- Signature Croissant Taiyaki Tsubu-an (クロワッサンたい焼 つぶあん): The 24-layer caramelized croissant crust studded with crunchy coarse sugar, filled with sweet Hokkaido azuki beans (~¥240–¥270 tax-included).
- Croissant Taiyaki Custard (クロワッサンたい焼 カスタード): Flaky caramelized croissant pastry filled with rich, velvety vanilla custard cream (~¥240–¥270).
- Usukawa Taiyaki Azuki (薄皮たい焼 あずき): Traditional paper-thin batter baked until crispy, packed head-to-tail with sweet red beans (~¥180–¥210).
- Seasonal Sweet Potato Croissant Taiyaki (季節限定 安納芋あん): Golden caramelized pastry filled with sweet, roasted Japanese sweet potato purée (~¥280–¥330).
- Double Chocolate Croissant Taiyaki (ショコラ): Cocoa-laminated pastry dough filled with rich chocolate fudge cream (~¥260–¥300).
Payment & practical info
Prices and details checked: October 2026.
- Pricing & Value: Extremely economical Japanese street dessert; an artisan Croissant Taiyaki costs under ¥260 ($1.70 USD).
- 100% Takeaway (No Eat-In): Gin no An is strictly a takeaway counter. Perfect for snacking while walking, sitting on a bench, or enjoying as a late-night hotel treat.
- Payment Methods: Accepts Japanese Yen cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA), electronic money (iD, QUICPay), and mobile QR codes (PayPay, Rakuten Pay).
- Toaster Reheating Hack: If your Croissant Taiyaki cools down, do NOT microwave it (which makes it soft). Place it in an oven toaster for 90 seconds, then let it cool on a plate for 1 minute—the butter and sugar crystals will re-crystallize into a jaw-dropping crunch!
- Shopping Mall Hubs: Found in premier retail malls nationwide (Aeon Malls, Lalaport, and Tokyo shopping centers).
Good to know / Common mistakes
- Eat the crunchy crust frame first: Croissant Taiyaki is baked in a rectangular mold, leaving a delicious flat border of caramelized, crispy pastry around the fish. Locals love nibbling this crunchy "ear" (mimi) first!
- Don't microwave it!: The magic of Croissant Taiyaki is the crisp sugar crunch on the outside. A microwave makes the pastry soggy. Always eat it fresh or reheat in a dry toaster oven!
- Head-first or tail-first?: Japanese culture has a playful debate about whether eating taiyaki head-first (meaning you are an optimist) or tail-first (a romantic). With Gin no An, the filling runs all the way into the tail tip!
- Hotland synergy: Because it is operated by the Tsukiji Gindaco group, Gin no An counters are often located side-by-side with Gindaco takoyaki stands—an incredible savory-and-sweet combo stop.
- No tipping: Tipping is never accepted. Pay the exact bill at the counter.
FAQ
Q1: What is "Taiyaki"? Taiyaki (たい焼き) is a classic Japanese fish-shaped cake created in Tokyo in 1909. Modeled after the red sea bream (Tai)—a symbol of good luck and celebration in Japan—it is traditionally filled with sweet red azuki bean paste.
Q2: What makes "Croissant Taiyaki" different? Unlike traditional taiyaki which uses pancake-like batter, Croissant Taiyaki uses laminated French puff pastry dough with 24 layers of butter, sprinkled with large crystal sugar (zarame) on both sides before being pressed in cast-iron molds to create a caramelized, brittle, flaky crunch.
Q3: Can vegetarians eat Gin no An Taiyaki? Yes! The red bean (tsubu-an), custard, and sweet potato fillings are plant- and dairy-based vegetarian-friendly sweets (though the croissant dough contains dairy butter).
Sources
- Gin no An Brand Portal (HotLand Group): https://hotland.co.jp/brand/ginnoan/ (Verified: 2026-10-02)
- HotLand Holdings Co., Ltd. Corporate Portal: https://www.hotland.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-10-02)