Why Bananas Are Everywhere In Tokyo (And How They Became Such An Iconic Symbol Of The City)

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Why Bananas Are Everywhere In Tokyo (And How They Became Such An Iconic Symbol Of The City) By Kristen Pizzo Sept. 28, 2025 3:20 pm EST

Tokyo appears to be bananas for bananas. Throughout the city, you'll have numerous opportunities to take home a box of a dessert called Tokyo Banana. Made with real banana paste, these Tiinkie-esque sponge cakes come in various flavors and limited-edition character designs, and they even inspired a KitKat flavor. When someone in your friend group inevitably makes their way to Japan, chances are they'll bring back a Tokyo Banana. But the hype around these cakes isn't an organic phenomenon. It's a cleverly manufactured tourist trap.

Grapestone Co., the maker of Tokyo Banana, wanted to endow the city with an iconic treat. The snack comp