Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2013

Shortcake, long possibilities, with Afternoon Tea Tearoom’s Customized Cake, available at any Afternoon Tea Tearoom across Tokyo—locations in Atré and that sort of station-enveloping mall. For ¥1,470 buy a shortcake and a drink, but get this: your cake has three stages of customization. Choose one of three marinated fruit selections, sauces, and toppings—then decorate. Thus could you wind up (for example) with a mango cream shortcake topped with berries, drenched in peach sauce and sided by roast almonds. Finally, submit a photo of your cakey creation to their photo contest, and you’ll be in the running for one of ten “Tea Free Passes,” which will get you free cuppas at any Afternoon Tea Tearoom from August 1 until December 31. Garner the most “likes” on the site for some cartons of premixed tea.