Who is "Uncle Rikuro"?

The fluffy, freshly baked cheesecake, popularly known as "Uncle Rikuro's Cheesecake," is a specialty sold at 11 "Uncle Rikuro's Stores" in Osaka Prefecture.

The store's name, "Uncle Rikuro," refers to the founder, Nishimura Rikuro. At the age of 16, he started working at a rice cracker wholesaler in Osaka, and later moved to a Japanese and Western confectionery company. In 1956 (Showa 31), at the age of 23, he went independent and opened a Japanese confectionery shop. After managing a bakery, in 1984 (Showa 59), he invented the "Freshly Baked Cheesecake" with the second generation owner. Rikuro, whose favorite saying was "Sweets have to be soft," was the first thing he focused on, making the dough soft. Furthermore, since there were no "freshly baked" cheesecakes in the world yet, and because the appearance and texture of the cheesecakes were outstanding, he also focused on the "freshly baked" part. This is how the "Freshly Baked Cheesecake" with its unparalleled light texture was born. Its soft and gentle taste was well received by a wide range of generations, from young children to the elderly, and it became very popular.

Due to the huge success of the cheesecake, the store was renovated in 1988 (Showa 63) as "Uncle Rikuro's Store" named after Rikuro. At the same time, a character called "Uncle Rikuro" was created based on Rikuro, and began to be used on cheesecake branding and packaging.

Also, based on Rikuro's belief that "sweets should be reasonably priced," when the product was first released it was offered at the bargain price of 500 yen per whole cake. With the times, the price is now 1,065 yen per whole cake (as of May 2025), but it is still a very affordable price. The reason it is offered whole, rather than cut, is because Rikuro wants people to "enjoy the time it takes to cut it" (cut sizes are available in some stores as takeout or eat-in menus).

Even now, it's rare to see a store that serves freshly baked cheesecake, but it must have been quite revolutionary when it was released in 1984. In the photo above, taken five years after the cheesecake was released and when Uncle Rikuro's Store was set up, you can see many customers lining up to buy the cheesecake under a large banner that reads "Freshly Baked Cheesecake."

Even now, nine of the eleven stores in Osaka Prefecture are equipped with ovens and serve freshly baked cheesecake, as the name "Freshly Baked Cheesecake" suggests. They continue the spirit of "Uncle Rikuro," who passed away in 2007 at the age of 74.

What is the secret behind the deliciousness of our "freshly baked cheesecake"?

The greatest feature of Naniwa's long-selling "Freshly Baked Cheesecake" is its fluffy, airy texture. With its refreshing cheese flavor and subtle sweetness, you'll finish it in no time. We explored the secrets behind the light texture that so many people love, as well as how the deliciousness is created, at the Namba main store, which has an open kitchen.

Firstly, the cream cheese that gives the cheesecake its rich flavour is imported directly from a traditional Danish factory, which has advanced production techniques and strict quality standards. At the time of development, Danish cheese was quite rare, but after comparing several types of cream cheese, it was chosen because it had the mildest cheese aroma. Other ingredients such as eggs and milk are all of high quality and freshness, and Rikuro wanted the cake to be "something you could eat every day", so the sweetness is kept moderate.

In addition, no leavening agents such as baking powder are used. The fluffy, airy texture is achieved by thoroughly beating the egg whites in a mixer, and then quickly mixing the egg whites with the other ingredients by hand, being careful not to crush the air bubbles, before pouring into a mold.

They also pay special attention to the raisins sprinkled on the bottom of the cheesecake. They use original raisins that are steamed until soft, then the twigs are removed by hand, and they are soaked in syrup and cooked until plump. To make raisins last longer, the sugar content is increased and rum is added to them to make them hard and dry, but here they use a homemade syrup that is alcohol-free and not too sweet. The soft raisins with a subtle sweetness are safe for children to eat, and are an exquisite accent to the refreshing cheesecake.
If you prefer "raisins-free," try the "Rikuro Cut" method written on the side of the packaging box. By cutting it into a "I" shape, you will create a square cheesecake with "raisins-free" in the middle.

The cheesecake takes about 45 minutes to bake. At the Namba main store, 12 cheesecakes are baked at a time, one after another at about 5-minute intervals, from morning to night, and each time Staff/staff member rings a hand bell to announce, "The cheesecake is done!"

The cheesecakes are baked right out of the oven, golden brown, with a fluffy curve on top, and look fluffy! After baking, they are carefully removed from the molds one by one, the parchment paper is removed, and they are placed on a wire rack. Every time they are placed on the wire rack, the vibration makes the cheesecakes jiggle.

In the past, a video of the cheesecake jiggling and shaking became a hot topic on social media. Since then, when someone holds a camera, Staff/staff member sometimes makes the cheesecake shake right in front of them.

The baked cheesecakes are brought to the register and branded with the "Uncle Rikuro" logo on them one by one. It's fun to watch the process right in front of your eyes!

At the Namba main store, they offer "freshly baked" and slightly older versions, and there are different lines to buy them. We recommend buying the "freshly baked" version.

The cute "Uncle Rikuro" sign on the oven informs Staff/staff member of the next cake to be baked. Be sure to take a peek at the open kitchen at the Namba main store to check it out.

Hot and fluffy deliciousness that can only be enjoyed at the cafe

If you want to be sure to taste "freshly baked," head to the cafe "Riku Cafe ROOM" on the second floor of the Namba main store. You can eat a hot and fluffy "super freshly baked cheesecake" straight out of the oven. When you order, Staff/staff member will ring a bell to bring the cheesecake and open the cloche right in front of you! There is also a performance where the cheesecake jiggles.
The fluffy, fizzing texture of the warm cheesecake is a special treat only available at the attached cafe. You can enjoy the deliciousness that "Uncle Rikuro" Nishimura Rikuro wanted his customers to enjoy.

The cafe also offers a quarter size (450 yen), but only freshly baked whole loaves are available. You can order for one or several people, and if you can't finish it, you can take it home, so please give the freshly baked deliciousness a try.

The "Super Freshly Baked Cheesecake" can be enjoyed at the cafe in Saito no Mori store as well as at the Namba main store. Neither store requires a reservation, but it is better to make a reservation as they are very popular.

Take-out tastes just like it was freshly baked. It's also delicious chilled!

Of course it's delicious when it's freshly baked, but the defining feature of "Freshly Baked Cheesecake" is that it's also delicious when you take it home. If you want to fully enjoy the flavor of the ingredients themselves, eat it at room temperature. If you want to enjoy the fluffy texture of freshly baked cheesecake, we recommend heating it in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.
On the other hand, if you chill it thoroughly in the refrigerator, you can enjoy a moist and rich flavor, which is especially recommended during the hot summer months. Please try different ways of eating it depending on your preferences and the season.

Do experts know? Check out the rare branding irons available for a limited time!

The branding iron of "Uncle Rikuro" is memorable for his smiling face, beard, and long chef's hat. But did you know that there are times when special versions of the branding iron are available? In October, there is a Halloween version, in December a Christmas version, and from February 1st to 14th and March 1st to 14th, there is a Valentine's and White Day version, and you can't help but smile at the playfulness. If you are planning to visit during this period, be sure to check out the different "Uncle Rikuro" than usual.

Not just cheesecake! Surprisingly popular items too!

It may seem like a cheesecake specialty store, but they actually have many other hidden gems. One of them is their "Toro-ri Pudding." Made with plenty of fresh milk and eggs and baked slowly over time, it has a creamy texture and a rich, milky flavor. It's a classic pudding that's loved by everyone.

The best souvenir that lasts a long time is the "Firewood Pie". Its crispy texture and rich, rich butter flavor set it apart from other typical pie pastries, making it a hidden gem. It's a little on the larger side, so even one is very satisfying. They are carefully twisted one by one by hand, and the difference in texture between the tightly twisted and untwisted parts also contributes to their deliciousness.

Another popular item is the "Apple Pie," made by wrapping domestic apples seasoned with rich butter and honey in pie crust and baking them until fragrant. The moist, sweet and sour apples cut into large chunks go really well with the crispy, fragrant pie crust, making for a consistently delicious treat.

For baked goods, we also recommend "Nikomado." They use plenty of high-quality butter and have a rich, fragrant almond powder. They also have an exquisite light texture.

There are plenty of convenient terminal stores, including those inside and near stations

"Uncle Rikuro's Store" has a total of 11 locations within Osaka Prefecture.
They are located inside or near major stations such as Shin-Osaka Station and Osaka Station, so it's easy to buy them during or on your way home from your trip. At JR Shin-Osaka Station, they have three stores: JR Shin-Osaka Station Central Exit Store (outside the ticket gates), Eki Marche Shin-Osaka Store (inside the ticket gates for conventional trains), and the Shinkansen ticket gate store. In addition, in Umeda, Osaka, there is the Daimaru Umeda Store, and in Namba and Shinsaibashi, there is the Namba Main Store and the Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store.

If you visit Osaka, why not try the hot and fluffy "Super Freshly Baked Cheesecake" at the cafe, and purchase a "Freshly Baked Cheesecake" as a souvenir for a loved one or to take home?