New "CARAMEL TOKYO WARAKUBENIYA" Opens at Seibu Ikebukuro Store

A new confectionery brand is set to debut at Tokyo's Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store. "CARAMEL TOKYO WARAKUBENIYA" will open on September 17th, 2025, on the basement 1st floor of the renovated department store, offering a unique fusion of caramel with traditional Japanese ingredients.

CARAMEL TOKYO WARAKUBENIYA

The brand draws inspiration from the traditional Swiss confection "Engadiner," which patissier Tsujiguchi Hironobu refined through extensive experimentation during his training in France. This new concept puts caramel at the center, blending it with carefully selected ingredients from across Japan, including Suzu salt, brown sugar, matcha, and rice flour. The result is an innovative approach to Japanese sweets that combines expert pastry techniques with local ingredients.

The brand philosophy centers around the patience required to create quality caramel - much like the slow, careful process of making caramel, CARAMEL TOKYO WARAKUBENIYA aims to provide moments of calm in busy daily life.

The production process involves adjusting the caramel browning to match three distinct flavor profiles. The caramel achieves a remarkably soft texture through the use of agar and is combined with aromatic roasted walnuts.

Salt from Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, enhances the caramel's sweetness while adding depth and delicate contrast. These elements are sandwiched between cookies made from a blend of wheat and rice flour, creating a crispy yet light texture. The result is a signature confection that offers a softer caramel experience than traditional Engadiner while incorporating distinctly Japanese ingredients.

ROND CARAMEL Vanilla

・ROND CARAMEL Vanilla 1 piece ¥324 (tax included) / 3-piece set ¥1,001 (tax included)

Rich flavor where butter and deeply browned caramel melt together.

・ROND CARAMEL Matcha 1 piece ¥324 (tax included) / 3-piece set ¥1,001 (tax included)

Using two types of matcha from Uji and Nishio. Aromatic with a lingering Japanese aftertaste.

・ROND CARAMEL Strawberry 1 piece ¥324 (tax included) / 3-piece set ¥1,001 (tax included)

Caramel and chocolate gently enhance the sweet and sour flavor of strawberries.

Additionally, MIX sets containing all three flavors in one box are available (3-piece set ¥1,001, 6-piece set ¥2,160, 9-piece set ¥3,240).

Caramel Rusk 5 pieces ¥951 (tax included) / 14 pieces ¥2,160 (tax included) / 30 pieces ¥4,320 (tax included)

Specially baked baguette is thoroughly infused with caramel paste featuring the richness of fermented butter and the deep sweetness of Okinawan brown sugar. The rusks are accented with Suzu salt from Ishikawa Prefecture and almond dice.

The three-stage temperature adjustment from low to high, followed by extended baking, creates a crispy, aromatic finish with caramel that penetrates deeply.

The brown sugar caramel offers a nostalgic, complex flavor profile.

Gift sets combining ROND CARAMEL and Caramel Rusk are also available.

CRÈME CARAMEL

A rich and smooth caramel paste product.

The Crème Caramel combines moderately browned caramel with premium hazelnut paste from Piedmont, Italy, and almond praline to achieve aromatic depth and richness. Suzu salt provides a balanced saltiness that enhances the overall flavor, while milk and dark chocolates contribute to the complex, layered taste profile.

SABLÉ CARAMELT

The Sablé Caramelt is available as a set with accompanying cookies.

The sablés feature a simple, gentle sweetness derived from brown sugar and cane sugar. When dipped into the fragrant nut-infused caramel, diners experience the full range of flavors from the carefully selected ingredients.

Limited Opening Set

Limited Opening Commemorative Set ¥1,500 (tax included) (Limited to 50 sets per day until September 23rd)

This special launch gift set features "ROND CARAMEL" - soft caramel nougat with roasted walnuts sandwiched between crispy rice flour cookies, paired with the rich-flavored "Caramel Rusk."

CARAMEL TOKYO WARAKUBENIYA Seibu Ikebukuro Store