Series: “Driver, Take Me to a Wonderful Shop in Tokyo!” Valentine’s Day Ver.

From hidden gems to stylish secluded restaurants, his ability to bookmark the map in his head is the best in the company. This is the series “Driver, Take Me to a Wonderful Shop in Tokyo!” where Hayashi, the exclusive driver for the President of SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP, quietly shares his favorite secret spots.

In this edition, we introduce five recommended chocolates for Valentine’s Day gifts!

Hello, I am Hayashi, the driver. It has been a while since the last update to this series, but I have discovered many new shops in the meantime. I would like to guide you to some special places I found while traveling with the President through both fun and challenging times. Please stay with us until the end.

Azabudai Hills: Minimal Cacao and Chocolate Course “Sense of Wonder”

First, I would like to introduce “Minimal The Specialty,” an experiential chocolate specialty store located in Azabudai Hills. Exclusive to the Azabudai Hills location, they offer a cacao and chocolate course titled “Sense of Wonder.” The course consists of approximately 10 items, allowing guests to experience the differences in cacao and the richness of various flavors. They also offer a selection of carefully curated alcoholic beverages and teas, making the pairing of chocolate and drinks a major attraction.

This is highly recommended for those who enjoy various chocolates on a daily basis, as well as those who wish to savor chocolate more luxuriously than usual this Valentine’s Day. Why not pay a visit?

Toranomon Hills: BEAVER BREAD BROTHERS “Valentine’s Assortment (5 pieces)”

Have you visited the “Toranomon Hills Station Tower,” which just opened in October 2023? I visited there while providing transportation for the President. For those considering baked goods for Valentine’s gifts, how about an assortment of sweets from “BEAVER BREAD BROTHERS” located on the second basement floor of the Station Tower?

The lovely Valentine-themed pink box contains cacao and berry cakes, as well as lemon cakes. It also includes chocolate chip financiers and sable chocolat, which are produced exclusively for this assortment set. As production is limited, we recommend purchasing early if you are interested.

VERY RUBY CUT: “Strawberry Cacao Sandwich”

At Shinagawa Station, where I drop off the President for Shinkansen trips, there is a sweet treat perfect for strawberry lovers. It is the “Strawberry Cacao Sandwich” from the strawberry sweets specialty store “VERY RUBY CUT” located in ecute Shinagawa. This treat features moist Van Houten cocoa-flavored cookies sandwiching a confiture of Italian Sabrina strawberries and “Sumibi Chocolat”*, which is characterized by its deep richness and sharp finish made from charcoal-roasted cacao beans. The contrast between the strawberries and chocolate is vibrant, making it a visually delightful sweet.
*Sumibi Chocolat accounts for 33% of the chocolate raw materials.

You can enjoy a taste unique to a “strawberry sweets specialty store that crafts the charm of strawberries.” As this is a seasonal product, please do not miss this opportunity.

Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo: “Chocolat de Chocolat”

At Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo in Bunkyo Ward, the “Chocolat de Chocolat” chocolate cake, an irresistible treat for those with a sweet tooth, is now on sale for a limited time. Made with Belgian chocolate, this cake offers a rich texture and a fragrant cacao aroma. The addition of creme chocolat and creme chantilly provides a refreshing and light touch. You can enjoy it to the very last bite without growing tired of the flavor. It is sure to please any chocolate lover.

Furthermore, “Chocolat de Chocolat” is available in two sizes: a whole cake for 3 to 4 people and an individual size. This makes it easy to give as a gift to those living alone or to families.

ohora “ohora x Ghana collaboration”

Come to think of it, my family member was talking happily about finding nails perfect for Valentine’s Day. It is a collaboration design between the self-gel nail brand ohora and Lotte’s “Ghana Chocolate,” featuring a design characterized by chocolate-like brown and tweed patterns. They were delighted that ohora fits more easily than conventional nail stickers and provides a beautiful finish unique to real gel.

It is wonderful to enjoy Valentine’s Day not only by eating chocolate but also through nail art. It is also a perfect gift for women.

🚙 Side Story of the Journey

SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP has many unique welfare benefits, one of which is the “Happiness Doesn’t Walk to You” system.

What is this? It is a system where you can achieve two goals at once: by walking an average of 10,000 steps per month, you can receive a 3,200 yen incentive and gain health! And the person walking 10,000 steps every month more greedily than anyone else is… President Tsugihara.

Sometimes when I go to pick her up, I receive a message: “Hayashi-kun! I want to walk a bit, so pick me up at the next station!!!”

Then, after stopping and waiting at the next station for a few minutes, the President doesn’t appear! I hear she walked past the station and onto the main road.

“Sorry, sorry! I was so absorbed in walking!”

As a result, I often find myself searching for the President as she walks with such determination (laughs).
My dynamic visual acuity for spotting her walking from a distance is also being trained. 👀💪

Did you find any chocolate sweets that caught your interest? In “Driver, Take Me to a Wonderful Shop in Tokyo!,” we will continue to introduce items tailored to various seasons. Please look forward to the next update.