Nakamuraya (Shinjuku, Tokyo) has launched a seasonal limited-edition dorayaki called "Dorayaki Lemon Azuki," now available at supermarkets and select retail outlets from June 1, 2026.
About the Dorayaki
Nakamuraya's dorayaki lineup spans a premium "Ippin Dorayaki" range made with carefully chosen ingredients and traditional techniques, as well as an everyday "Dorayaki" series aimed at bringing specialty-shop quality to supermarket shelves. Seasonal variants are released throughout the year as part of this lineup.
Background
Dorayaki consistently ranks among the most popular Japanese confections, particularly with women in their 40s to 70s. Nakamuraya launches seasonal editions to give customers a reason to reach for their dorayaki at different times of year.
In response to increasingly hot summers and rising demand for lemon-flavored refreshments, Nakamuraya set out to develop a summer dorayaki that would satisfy both the craving for something cool and the desire for traditional azuki filling. Customer feedback showed that while people were excited by new flavors, they still wanted the satisfaction of classic sweet bean paste. The result is a two-layer design that brings together lemon and azuki in a single bite.
Product Features
POINT 1 — Two-Layer Structure: Lemon Bean Paste and Hokkaido Azuki
The lemon layer uses concentrated lemon juice for a bright, tangy flavor. The azuki layer features whole beans sourced from Hokkaido, carefully simmered to bring out their natural aroma and texture. Stacked together, the two layers offer a changing taste experience from first bite to last.
POINT 2 — "Shimobashira" Batter: A Mark of Quality
The vertical lines visible in the cross-section of the batter are known as "shimobashira" (frost pillars) — a traditional indicator of well-made dorayaki. Nakamuraya's batter is crafted with attention to ingredients, mixing ratios, and baking technique, resulting in a light, cleanly cut texture.
POINT 3 — Enjoy Chilled for a Refreshing Summer Treat
The lemon's tartness makes the dorayaki easy to enjoy even in the heat of summer. For an extra-refreshing experience, the product can be refrigerated for about three to six hours before eating. The recommended chilling time is three to six hours.
Product Details
- Product Name: Dorayaki Lemon Azuki (どら焼 檸檬あずき)
- Description: A dorayaki filled with a bright lemon bean paste made from concentrated lemon juice and a whole-bean azuki paste using Hokkaido-grown azuki, sandwiched between fluffy grilled pancake layers.
- Suggested Retail Price: 160 yen (tax included)
- On Sale: June 1 (Mon) to August 31 (Mon), 2026 (planned)
- Contents: 1 piece
- Available at: Supermarkets, the Nakamuraya Shinjuku Building direct-sales shop, and the official online shop
- Best Before: 21 days
Dorayaki Lineup
Year-round:
- Dorayaki
- Dorayaki Kuri (Chestnut)
Seasonal Limited:
- Dorayaki Lemon Azuki
Nikkei POS Selection 2025 — Greater Tokyo Region No. 1
Nakamuraya's standard "Dorayaki" (JAN code: 4904110792694) has been selected as the top-selling product in the "Dorayaki / Mikasayama" category for the Greater Tokyo region in the Nikkei POS Selection 2025 regional sales ranking. The ranking is based on POS data collected from supermarkets and convenience stores across Japan, with category leaders identified by region by Nikkei Inc.
Aggregated period: January 1 to December 31, 2025
