Nagoya City

Japanese cuisine is mostly known for its raw fish and tempura, but I have a sneaky suspicion that, should you ask most Japanese what their favorite dish is, it’ll end up being a dessert of some kind. From local delicacies such as manju and mochi to imported sweets like cheesecake and mont blanc, there can be no doubt that Japan has its fair share of dessert lovers. And of course, this is great news for those of you who were under the impression that living in Japan meant foregoing getting your sticky mitts on something sugary and sweet because finding a wonderful dessert in Nagoya really is a piece of… Okay, it’s a hoary old cliche, but it’s nonetheless true for it. Chez Shibata Perhaps unsurprising considering its name, Chez Shibata is a Japanese chocolatier with a considerable French influence. Originating in Tajimi before spreading to Nagoya, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, Chez Shibata is known for its French desserts, taking innovative bents on classics such as chocolate fondant flavored with matcha [green tea] from Aichi’s Nishio City. Shibata-san’s specialty is his Visitantine, simple almond and butter cakes, baked to exquisite perfection. Where: Chikusa Ward, Sanmoncho, 2 Chome−5 4 (map) Website:…