Find Cute & Gluten-Free Brownies in Sapporo’s Underground Walkway – cuddle

Gluten-free spots are steadily growing across Hokkaido—and not just in cafés and restaurants. A new trend is emerging: dedicated pop-up vendors that specialize in gluten-free treats. In this article, we introduce Cuddle, a rice flour-based bakery that appears at events across Sapporo, including the popular underground walkway known as Chikaho.

About “cuddle”: A Pop-Up Gluten-Free Sweets Shop Specializing in Rice Flour

cuddle is a specialty gluten-free sweets shop that uses 100% rice flour sourced from Bibai, Hokkaido. While it doesn’t operate a physical storefront, the shop frequently appears at events held in and around Sapporo—and has gained popularity through word of mouth and social media.

One of its main locations is the Sapporo Underground Pedestrian Space, commonly known as Chikaho. This massive underground walkway connects Odori and JR Sapporo Station, and is lined with event booths on both sides. It’s one of the most popular spots in the city—on weekends, it reportedly welcomes around 80,000 to 100,000 visitors per day.*

As of May 2025, cuddle was featured at the “22％MARKET” near the Odori-side entrance of Chikaho. This particular event space is part of a complex shop run by Ishiya Seika, a long-established confectionery brand in Sapporo. While event spaces are spread throughout Chikaho’s long north–south corridor, 22% MARKET is a particularly high-profile venue.

The cuddle booth is located near the entrance of a space shared by a café and a bakery.
(Please note that vendors change daily. For the latest schedule, check cuddle’s official Instagram.)

Gluten-Free Sweets Shop cuddle was launched in December 2023.
Its owner, Ms. Utsumi, graduated from a culinary school and gained experience working for a school lunch catering company before eventually becoming an independent vendor specializing in event-based sales.

The shop name “cuddle” comes from the idea of “offering comfort and closeness.”
It reflects Ms. Utsumi’s heartfelt wish to provide baked goods that gently support those with gluten sensitivities or allergies—a truly thoughtful and warm concept.

The shop’s logo features a deer, a motif chosen because of Ms. Utsumi’s personal fondness for the animal.
Interestingly, she also works as an influencer under the name “sika,” sharing recommended cafés and restaurants on social media!

Many of cuddle’s customers follow a gluten-free lifestyle, and Ms. Utsumi often hears grateful feedback like, “It’s such a relief to have sweets made with 100% rice flour.”

With such passion and vitality behind her work, it’s no wonder Ms. Utsumi’s gluten-free treats are so beloved.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s on the menu!

Signature Items & Philosophy of cuddle’s Gluten-Free Rice Flour Sweets

Here’s a look at the delightful lineup of gluten-free sweets available at the cuddle booth during our visit.

Cuddle offers 4 types of scones and 2 flavors each for muffins and pound cakes, with seasonal variations. Their signature item is the Kojika brownie, topped with a Kojika cookie. When enjoyed together, it has a tart-like flavor and texture.

During our visit, we found a special scone made with plum jam from Sarabetsu Village in Tokachi, the hometown of the owner!

Reference image: Japanese plums (Sumomo)

Tasting cuddle’s Kojika (Fawn) Brownies, Rice Flour Scones & More

We reheated the scones by wrapping them in foil and warming them in a grill for about 5 minutes.
The muffins were enjoyed as-is.

Among the items offered, the scones—developed with the most time and care by Utsumi-san—stood out with their soft, crumbly texture. Though subtly sweet, they allow the natural flavors of honey and plum jam to shine. The hint of buttery aroma adds an irresistible touch.

The muffins, all dairy-free, were impressively moist and rich. Whether you’re a fan of matcha or cinnamon, you’ll appreciate how clearly these ingredients come through in every bite. They’re perfect for those with specific flavor preferences!

The signature kojika brownie offers a delightful harmony of fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth brownie and crisp cookie. The cookie blends smoothly into the brownie, making it easy to enjoy with every bite.

We don’t have a close-up photo, but the lemon pound cake had a surprisingly light and fluffy texture—despite its dense appearance.

The rice flour biscotti are also very much Cuddle-style: not overly hard, with a satisfying crunch and just the right touch of sweetness. They’re so easy to eat that you might find yourself reaching for one after another (guilty as charged!).

Shop Info: Where to Find cuddle and How to Buy

While working as an influencer, Utsumi-san juggles recipe development, baking, and attending events both in and outside of Sapporo. Her friendly presence and warm smile at her booth were especially memorable, as she greeted each passerby with kindness—saying events are “a great chance to meet lots of people.”

At one point, she even hosted her own event, bringing together several fellow rice flour sweets makers for a one-of-a-kind gluten-free market!

この投稿をInstagramで見る

北海道グルテンフリー友の会(@komepan_hokkaido)がシェアした投稿

That concludes our feature on Komeko Kashiten cuddle.

Ms.Utsumi not only appears at pop-ups across Sapporo, but also hosts occasional events at shared cafés or venues beyond the city. If you’re curious, be sure to follow her on Instagram and check the schedule before your visit.

If you’re not in the area, don’t worry—her handmade rice flour treats are available online via Mercari, BASE, and rebake.

Thank you for reading to the end!

📝 Information as of May 2025.

Store Name	Komeko Kashiten cuddle
Phone	09050713880
Main Locations	・Chikaho (Odori East / Kita 3 Jo / 22% MARKET, etc.) ・Sosei Square etc.
Business Hours	Varies by event
Cashless Payment	PayPay accepted
Official SNS	cuddle https://www.instagram.com/cuddle_komeko/ sika https://www.instagram.com/siiiis___15/
Official Website	米粉菓子店cuddle
Online Shop	base https://cuddlekomeko.base.shop/ メルカリ 米粉菓子店cuddle – メルカリShops リベイク https://rebake.me/shops/hokkaido/sapporoshi/1503