NTT Town Page announces the results of a survey on "confectionery stores (Western confectionery)". Based on the yellow pages database, it introduces the characteristics of prefectures and regions where the percentage of pastry shops is high.

In terms of the number of pastry shops registered per 100,000 population, Toyama Prefecture ranked first with 16.64. The prefecture has been competing for the top spot in this category for 10 years. One of the reasons for this is NTT Townpage, which cites the prefectural character of valuing family and socializing and spending money on souvenirs and gifts.


The second place is Nagasaki prefecture with 15.95 cases. The prefecture consumes a particularly large amount of castella, which is about six times the national average. The Western confectionery culture has been nurtured because it used to be an “overseas window”, and around Nagasaki City, there are also regional cakes called “sheath cream” with custard cream sandwiched between sponge dough.


Fukui Prefecture ranked third with 11.59 cases. The prefecture ranked second in ice cream and sorbet consumption in 2012 and third in yokan consumption, and is said to be a "sweet party regardless of Japanese or Western".

Looking at the changes in the purchase price of Western confectionery by item using data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, it can be seen that castella is flat and cakes are slightly decreasing. On the other hand, Western confectionery such as cream puffs, tarts, and waffles have increased significantly since around 2006, and the total consumption of Western confectionery is increasing.