Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2013

Discard the donuts and cinnamon rolls from your pantry and stuff your little snips with the fare of New York Cupcakes (2-27-10 Matsubara, Setagaya-ku). You can even give the snacks an educational bent with animals and letters among the design possibilities. Owner Kaori Sasaki set up shop to bring the North American cupcake culture to Japan. And it seems an ideal fit, with its products individually wrapped, extravagantly designed, and highly sugared. Sasaki’s cakes—in flavors like cinnamon & apple and shortcake—are available in “Central Park” gift boxes of four (¥1,050), or in “Manhattan” packs of various quantities and sizes (¥480-2,750). They could be a perfect parent-and-child-friendly gift for Mother’s Day on May 12—but order at least three days ahead.