Tokyo's best candy shops

Found along Harajuku's Takeshita-dori, this uber-cute store sells an international range of candy, gummies, chocolate and marshmallows, with the selection changing daily. Handmade by a pastry chef, their colourful cake pops are also worth trying, while the rainbow cotton candy, available in a variety of shapes, is the most popular item.

This shop deals in homemade sweets which come in every imaginable shape, size and flavour. You can even order your own unique candies, making these sweet snacks great souvenirs or presents.

One of Japan’s traditional crafts, amezaiku is the art of making tiny candy sculptures. Using a special pair of tiny scissors, craftsmen produce detailed chiselled treats, often in the shape of animals. Buy a selection here or head over to the main store in Asakusa, Amezaiku Ameshin, to try a workshop.

Barcelona-born speciality sweet shop Papabubble is becoming something of a chain in Tokyo, now operating locations in Shibuya and Nakano as well as inside the Daimaru Tokyo and Lumine Est department stores. What makes Papabubble different from most rivals is that you can actually see the sweets being made. The colourful creations, shaped like fruits or animals, make for great gifts.

Its shelves stocked with candy available only here, Tokyo Station's 'sweets theme park' was born through the combined efforts of three Japanese food giants, namely Glico, Morinaga and Calbee. Some of the most popular offerings are made in the on-site kitchen, allowing shoppers to taste fresh treats like almond chocolate and crisps.