What is "Uncle Rikuro"?

Familiarly known as "Uncle Rikuro's Cheesecake," the fluffy texture of this "baked cheesecake" is a popular treat in Osaka. It is a specialty sold at the 11 "Uncle Rikuro's" stores in Osaka Prefecture.

The name "Uncle Rikuro" refers to the founder, Rikuro Nishimura, who started working at a rice cracker wholesaler in Osaka at the age of 16 and later moved on to a confectionery company selling Japanese and Western confectioneries. In 1984, he and the second generation invented "Baked Cheesecake". Rikuro was fond of saying, "Sweets have to be soft. He was also particular about "freshly baked" cheesecakes because there were no "freshly baked" cheesecakes in the world yet, and the visual and texture of freshly baked cheesecakes were outstanding. The result is "freshly baked cheesecake" with an unparalleled light texture. The soft and gentle taste was well received by people of all ages, from young children to the elderly.

The cheesecake was such a big hit that the store was renamed "Uncle Rikuro's Shop" in 1988 (Showa 63), bearing the name of Mr. Rikuro. At the same time, the "Uncle Rikuro" character, modeled after Rikuro, was created and used on the branding and packaging of the cheesecakes.

Also, based on Mr. Rikuro's idea that "sweets should be reasonably priced," the cake was offered at a bargain price of 500 yen per whole when it first went on sale. With the passage of time, the price is now (May 2025) 1,065 yen per whole, but it is still an affordable price. The reason why the cheesecakes are sold in whole portions instead of cut portions is because Rikuro wants customers to "enjoy the time it takes to carve them" (some stores offer cut portions for takeout and eat-in menus).

Even today, it is almost impossible to find stores that serve cheesecake freshly baked, but when it was launched in 1984 (Showa 59), it must have been quite revolutionary. In the photo (above) taken five years after the launch of the cheesecake when "Uncle Rikuro's Shop" was set up, you can see many customers lined up for the cheesecake under a large banner that reads "Freshly baked cheesecake".

Nine of the 11 stores in Osaka are still equipped with ovens to serve "freshly baked" cheesecakes, carrying on the memory of "Uncle Rikuro," who passed away in 2007 at the age of 74.

What is the secret of the deliciousness of "Yakitate Cheesecake"?

The most distinctive feature of Naniwa's long-selling "Yakitate Cheesecake" is its fluffy and airy texture. The fresh flavor of cheese and moderate sweetness will have you eating it in no time at all. We visited the Namba main store, which is equipped with an open kitchen, to find out the secret behind the light texture that attracts so many people, and how the delicious taste is created.

First, the cream cheese that gives the cheesecake its rich flavor is directly imported from a traditional Danish factory with high production technology and strict quality standards. Although Danish cheese was quite rare at the time of development, it was chosen because it had the mildest aroma characteristic of cheese after comparing several types of cream cheese. Other ingredients such as eggs and milk are all carefully selected for their quality and freshness, and the sweetness is also kept to a minimum, in accordance with Rikuro's desire for the product to be eaten every day.

In addition, baking powder and other expanders are not used. The fluffy, airy texture is achieved by beating the egg whites thoroughly with a mixer and quickly mixing them with the other ingredients by hand to avoid breaking the air bubbles in the whipped egg whites before pouring them into the mold.

We are also particular about the raisins scattered on the bottom of the cheesecake. We use our original raisins, which are steamed to a soft texture, then hand-removed from the twigs, soaked in syrup, and cooked to a fluffy consistency. Raisins are generally dried hard with rum to increase the sugar content to make them last longer, but here we use homemade syrup without alcohol and with a moderate sweetness. Soft raisins with a hint of sweetness are safe for even children to eat and are a perfect accent to the refreshing cheesecake!
Those who prefer "no raisins" can try the "Rikuro cut," which is written on the side of the packaging box. Cutting the cheesecake in the shape of the letter "I" creates a square cheesecake with "no raisin" in the center.

The cheesecake takes about 45 minutes to bake. At the Namba main store, 12 cheesecakes are baked at a time, about 5 minutes apart, one after another from morning to night, and each time a Staff/staff member announces "Cheesecake, it's baked! and the staff announces it with handbells.

The cheesecakes are baked to a golden brown, the tops are fluffy and arched, and the cakes are fluffy to look at! After baking, the cakes are carefully removed one by one from the molds, peeled off the cookie sheet, and placed on the screen table. The cheesecakes are so soft and fluffy that they shake every time they are placed on the table.

In the past, a video of the cheesecakes swaying in the air became a hot topic on social networking sites. Since then, the Staff/staff member sometimes shakes the cheesecake right in front of you if someone is holding a camera in front of him or her.

The baked cheesecakes are brought right next to the cash register and branded with "Uncle Rikuro-san" one after another on the spot. It is fun to watch it happen right in front of your eyes!

At the Namba main store, "freshly baked" and "slightly baked" cheesecakes are available, and there are different lines for purchasing them. Be sure to buy the "freshly baked" ones.

The cute "Uncle Rikuro-san" sign attached to the oven is a reminder to Staff/staff members of the next cake to be baked. Please take a look at the open kitchen of the Namba main store and check it out.

Hot, fluffy, and delicious tastes that can only be enjoyed at the café!

If you want to be sure to taste "freshly baked" cakes, go to the Riku Cafe Room on the second floor of the Namba Main Store. You can enjoy "super freshly baked cheesecake" that is hot and fluffy, fresh from the oven. When you order, a Staff/staff member rings a bell and brings the cheesecake to you, then snaps open the cloche in front of you! The cheesecake is then opened in front of you!
The fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the warm cheesecake is a privilege that only a café with an attached cheesecake can offer. You can enjoy the deliciousness that Mr. Rikuro Nishimura, a.k.a. "Uncle Rikuro," wanted his customers to enjoy.

The café also offers a quarter-size (450 yen), but the freshly baked ones are only available in whole loaves. You can order by yourself or by several people, and you can also take out the portions you can't finish, so be sure to try the super freshly baked delicacies.

The "super freshly baked cheesecake" can be enjoyed at the Namba main store as well as at the Saito no Mori store's café. Reservations are not required for both locations, but since they are so popular, it is better to make a reservation.

Freshly baked taste even when you take it out. They are also delicious when chilled!

While freshly baked cheesecakes are of course superb, another feature of "freshly baked cheesecakes" is that you can enjoy them even if you take them home. If you want to fully enjoy the taste of the ingredients themselves, serve it at room temperature. If you want to enjoy the fluffy texture of freshly baked cheesecake, warm it in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.
On the other hand, if you refrigerate it, you can enjoy its rich and moist flavor, which is recommended especially during the hot summer season. Try different ways of eating it depending on your taste and the season.

Do you know the "tsu"? Check out the rare branding that is only available for a limited time!

The branding iron of "Uncle Rikuro-san" with his smiling face, beard, and long chef's hat is impressive. Did you know that special versions of the branding iron are available at certain times of the year: Halloween in October, Christmas in December, and Valentine's Day and White Day from February 1 to 14 and March 1 to 14, which will make you smile at his playful spirit. If you plan to visit during these times, be sure to check out the different Uncle Rikuro.

Not just cheesecake! Unexpectedly popular products too!

Although it is often thought of as a cheesecake specialty store, in fact, there are many other hidden gems to be found here. One of them is the "Torori Pudding" (melt-in-your-mouth pudding). It is made with plenty of fresh milk and eggs and baked slowly over a long period of time, giving it a tender texture and a milky, rich flavor. It is a royal pudding loved by all.

The "firewood pie" is one of the most popular souvenirs that will last for a long time. The crispy texture and rich, dark buttery flavor make it a hidden gem that sets it apart from ordinary pies. The pie is slightly larger in size, so even just one is very satisfying. Each piece is carefully twisted by hand, and the difference in texture between the tightly twisted and un-twisted parts is also part of its deliciousness.

Another popular item is the "Apple Pie," made with Japanese apples seasoned with rich butter and honey, wrapped in pie crust, and baked to a savory perfection. The moist, sweet and sour apples cut into large chunks and the crispy, savory pie crust are a perfect match, and the taste is consistently delicious.

For baked goods, we also recommend the "Nichomado. It uses plenty of high-quality butter, and the almond pudding gives it a rich aroma. The lightness of the texture is also exquisite.

A wide variety of terminal stores near train stations and other convenient places to stop by.

Uncle Rikuro's Store has a total of 11 stores in Osaka Prefecture.
In JR Shin-Osaka Station, there are three stores: the JR Shin-Osaka Station Central Exit Store (outside the ticket gates), the Eki Marche Shin-Osaka Store (inside the ticket gates for conventional trains), and a store inside the Shinkansen ticket gates. There is also a Daimaru Umeda store in Umeda, Osaka, and Namba and Daimaru Shinsaibashi stores in Namba and Shinsaibashi.

If you visit Osaka, why not taste the hot and fluffy "super freshly baked cheesecake" at the café and purchase a "freshly baked cheesecake" as a souvenir for a loved one or for home?