Better than reputation—that sums it up.
Patissier Haruo Yokomizo's "Wiener Konditorei Lilienberg" (Kami-Aso, Kawasaki)—"Lily Hill" in German. Near Shin-Yurigaoka on Odakyu Line (under an hour from Takebashi), walk 15 min or bus 5 min in a Beverly Hills–like Yamaguchidai area.
The fairy-tale exterior at dusk grabbed my heart＝photo top—greenery on the roof. Cars queue even weekday noon; two guards always directing. Family shopped while I parked 15 minutes—customers never stopped.
Inside, a dozen-plus queue along the case＝photo upper left; some spill outside. Sachertorte and strawberry shortcake with direct-farm "Nyoho" berries were sold out—we got seasonal mont blanc, grape cake instead of shortcake, and mille-feuille-style cake＝photo right (plus baked goods). About 400 yen each, normal size—far better value than a famous tiny expensive shop.
Mont blanc 600 yen seasonal—worth it: cream, one whole candied chestnut＝photo lower left. Chestnuts prepped same day; not too sweet, moist. Cream light and subtly sweet—no vanilla or liquor, letting chestnut speak. Duck-worth pastry too. Sadly mont blanc ended November 11—best timing motto; see you next autumn.
Tea house closed Nov–Dec for Christmas prep—pity.
Yokomizo trained at Vienna's Demel—the first Japanese allowed—and opened Lilienberg in 1988. Two-time TV champion patissier; Nikkei Web "Three-Star Sweets" record holder. Asked about expanding: "Not interested. What matters is the circle who work together; more shops would break that—and department stores would prevent delivering fresh-made daily."
That stubbornness—I like it!