Café Sevilla (Shooken Honten)

Try one of Nagasaki’s most famous desserts, castella, at Café Sevilla (part of the main Shooken Honten store).

What’s Shooken Honten?

With a long-standing history dating back to 1681, Shooken Honten has been a go-to spot for the fluffy cake, as well as other traditional pastries and treats like candied fruits. Café Sevilla offers a space where you can enjoy this sweet castella.

The interior of the café captures the essence of Nagasaki’s history, with its distinctive European influence.

There are several set menus to choose from, with the most popular (and original) being the Gosanyaki Castella Set, priced at ¥1,375 with a drink or ¥880 without. We recommend the Shooken Castella Set (¥1,040 with a drink), which comes with one original and one chocolate castella. If you’re not in the mood for castella, there’s also the lemon cake set, which is ¥990 with a drink.

In the springtime, you can try the limited edition Sakura Castella Set (¥1,375 with a drink).

As for drinks, with the set menu, you’re limited to hot coffee, iced coffee, or calpis. If you order separately, there are more options, including a Nagasaki specialty milkshake (¥1,110). There’s also black tea and Nagasaki mandarin juice.

If you want to take some home, you can buy a box of castella downstairs at the main Shooken Honten. In the café space, you’ll find a table stocked with lemon cake (¥324 per box) and coffee bags (¥270).

What to know before you visit Shooken Honten

Do you need reservations for Shooken Honten?

Although it’s not mandatory, we recommend making a reservation in advance. If you decide to come by without one, please note that seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

by Jane Pipkin