Shooken Castella Nagasaki Review 2026: A Historic Sweet Treat

When you think of iconic Nagasaki cuisine, Nagasaki Castella cake definitely comes to mind.

While you'll spot numerous castella shops dotted across the city, I wanted to make my visit extra special. That’s why I headed straight to the main branch of Shooken (松翁軒), one of Nagasaki's revered "Big Three" castella bakeries.

Alongside Fukusaya and Bunmeido, Shooken stands out as a historic Nagasaki castella bakery, boasting over 300 years of operation since 1681.

1. Shooken Main Store: Location & Hours

You'll find Shooken's main store conveniently located near Nagasaki City Hall, just a short stroll from the famous Spectacles Bridge (Meganebashi).

Shooken is a beloved spot, consistently popular with locals, which was evident even on a weekday morning when I visited. Seeing so many residents carefully selecting gifts was truly impressive.

The first floor houses the castella retail shop,

while the second floor is home to Cafe Sevilla, where you can savor Shooken's castella with a freshly brewed coffee.

The Shooken store is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Cafe Sevilla operates from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Keep these different hours in mind when planning your visit!

2. Cafe Sevilla at Shooken: Menu Highlights

Cafe Sevilla on the second floor was a charming, old-world space, adorned with antique furniture. They also offered a selection of books about castella alongside their pour-over coffee.

I arrived right at opening time, so I was seated immediately without any waiting.

The Castella Set includes two slices of castella and one beverage.

You can choose between the Gosan-yaki Castella Set (~$9) or the Shooken Castella Set (~$6).

While the Shooken Castella is their classic, the Gosan-yaki Castella is known as "53 Castella," meaning it’s made with a special 5:3 ratio of egg yolks to whites.

This higher proportion of egg yolks gives it a richer, deeper flavor that's truly delicious.

Beyond these, they also offer seasonal limited-time options, like the Peach Castella Set (~$10) and the Cherry Blossom Castella Set (~$9).

If you're eager to try a bit of everything, they even have sets with one slice of different castella flavors, so you can pick the perfect combination for your taste buds.

3. Indulging in Shooken's Diverse Castella Selection

I wanted to sample all the flavors, so I ended up ordering four different sets! When you're traveling, a little indulgence is totally acceptable, right?

The coffee cups were also elegantly designed and beautiful.

While every castella was delicious, the standout for me was the Gosan Castella (53 Castella), as I mentioned earlier.

The Gosan Castella had a noticeably chewier, more delightful texture compared to the regular version.

True to Nagasaki castella tradition, the bottom was studded with coarse sugar crystals (zarame), adding a wonderful crunch.

If you're visiting the Shooken main store, I highly recommend heading to the second-floor cafe first to taste the different varieties, then making your purchase on the first floor based on your favorite.

Initially, I thought about buying the chocolate castella and a more affordable regular castella.

But after tasting them upstairs, I had no hesitation in choosing the Gosan-yaki Castella to take home.

I hope you have a wonderful trip to Nagasaki, and I'll catch you in the next post!