[For Media Only/Preview Tasting & Interview Invitation] Japan's First French Cruller Specialty Shop "FRECKLE donuts" Opens Third Store in Jiyugaoka

Root Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Nobuyuki Saruta) will open its third "FRECKLE donuts" store, a Japanese specialty shop for French crullers, on July 17, 2026 (Fri) in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo. The new store, named "FRECKLE donuts + belly button GELATO," will also feature the company's newly launched gelato brand, "belly button GELATO."

Store rendering (Design & Planning: Hayato Nozawa)

FRECKLE donuts, which has expanded to Yoyogi Park and Toranomon Hills, is taking its next step in Jiyugaoka.

This step is to expand the concept of French crullers beyond just a "snack to take home" to a richer culinary experience enjoyed with gelato, coffee, and alcoholic beverages.

The new store's nickname is "Furebota."

The light and fragrant French crullers from "FRECKLE donuts" and the smooth gelato made with Shinshu ingredients from "belly button GELATO."

We propose a new culinary experience that is completed not just by placing these two delicious items side-by-side, but by combining them.

*A press release regarding "belly button GELATO" is scheduled for distribution on July 10.

Warm French crullers and cool belly button gelato, served on one plate.

"Furebota Plate" (Eat-in only) ¥1,400 *Photo is an image

The "Furebota Plate," available only for dine-in customers, is the signature item of Furebota.

It is a dessert plate designed to enjoy FRECKLE donuts' French crullers and belly button GELATO's gelato together on one plate.

The texture of the juicy, fragrant French cruller and the melt-in-your-mouth smoothness of the gelato.

The difference in temperatures combine to offer a bite that can only be savored here.

First, enjoy each on its own.

Then, enjoy them together.

As you eat, you will discover the reason why these two specialty shops have come together in one store, a unique experience offered by Furebota.

We propose a moment to pause during your shopping or stroll in Jiyugaoka.

From Classics to Seasonal Flavors

FRECKLE donuts uses wheat from Memuro, Hokkaido, and "Mukashi no Aji Tamago" (old-fashioned flavor eggs) from Sagamihara. The dough is hand-piped one by one and fried in white cotton oil.

The crispy, light texture and fluffy, chewy consistency are achieved thanks to the handmade choux pastry.

The flavor is light yet memorable, with the aroma of wheat in the first bite, followed by the richness of the egg.

In addition to "Frecru," "Snow Sugar," "Salt Frecru," "Custard Fresh," "Green Leaf," and "Cafe Mocha," the Jiyugaoka store will also offer the summer-limited "Peach Melba."

This is a summery item made with fresh jam from Miyamoto Farm in Yamanashi City, paired with a raspberry glaze infused with jasmine.

Summer-limited "Peach Melba"

French cruller "Honey Pepper Bacon" that can be enjoyed with wine.

We will also be introducing a new limited-time product, "Honey Pepper Bacon," available from 3:00 PM.

This item layers sweetness, saltiness, savoriness, and spice, creating a sophisticated treat perfect for adults to enjoy with wine, especially orange wine.

We propose a new option of enjoying donuts with wine, not just coffee and gelato.

A "Detour" to Brighten Your Mood

The interior of the store, where the brand colors and symbols of FRECKLE donuts and belly button GELATO overlap, is a space where you can briefly escape from everyday life and lift your spirits during a walk in Jiyugaoka.

It is a place that accommodates not only the time spent choosing donuts and gelato but also moments of enjoying coffee alone or chatting with someone.

We also offer "Furebota Blend Coffee," jointly developed with SOW COFFEE ROASTERS, to complement the donuts and gelato. Its light aroma and pleasant aftertaste gently connect the flavors of the two sweets.

Connecting to Deliciousness.

"Frebota-kun," a new character combining FRECKLE donuts' character "Frecru-kun" and belly button GELATO's symbol "navel."

The theme of the Jiyugaoka store, nicknamed "Furebota," is to connect producers and artisans, creators and eaters, and time with friends and family through deliciousness.

While layering the expertise of French crullers and gelato, we deliver a new culinary experience from Jiyugaoka that creates small rewards and conversations in daily life.

To You Who Found Us: Open Commemorative Drink Present

To celebrate the opening, for three days from July 17 (Fri) to July 19 (Sun), customers who follow our official Instagram (@frebota_jiyugaoka) and purchase a French cruller or gelato will receive one free soft drink of their choice.

Please show your follow screen at the time of payment. *Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Store Overview

Store Name: FRECKLE donuts + belly button GELATO

Opening Date: July 17, 2026 (Fri)

Location: JIYUGAOKA de aone 1F, 2-15-4 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM *French crullers are scheduled to go on sale at 10:30 AM

Regular Holidays: Based on the facility (Please check HP and Instagram)

Official Instagram: @frebota_jiyugaoka

Official Website: https://freckledonuts.jp/

Regarding Press Preview Event

On July 16 (Thu), the day before the grand opening, we will hold a preview event for media and stakeholders to experience the store and products firsthand.

At the event, we plan to offer tastings and photo opportunities of eat-in-only menu items such as the Furebota Plate, as well as allow photography of the store and products, and provide an introduction to the brand's background.

Preview Event Outline

Date: July 16, 2026 (Thu) from 11:00 AM

Venue: FRECKLE donuts + belly button GELATO Jiyugaoka Store

Address: JIYUGAOKA de aone 1F, 2-15-4 Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Content: Store photography / Product photography / Tasting / Brand explanation / Individual interviews

Participation: Pre-registration and invitation required

Please bring one business card on the day of the tasting event. To ensure as many companies as possible can sample our offerings, we will provide one tasting set per company as a general rule.

Apply for the preview event here

https://forms.gle/5vwKZ5vivApEF2zWA

For inquiries regarding individual interviews, please contact:

Contact: FRECKLE donuts + belly button GELATO Secretariat, Ninako Takakanari

MAIL: [email protected]

Company Overview

Root Inc. Representative Director: Nobuyuki Saruta Headquarters: 16-16 Motoyoyogi-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Business Activities: Operates popular restaurants with a Tabelog rating of 3.5 or higher, including "Fresh Seafood Bistro SARU" in Yoyogi-Uehara, the Tabelog 100 Famous Restaurants award-winning modern Thai restaurant "thalee ling," "LODGE BISTRO SARU" focusing on meat dishes in Gakugei-daigaku, and "SARU - Apero Bistro" in Jiyugaoka.

Our mission is to develop stores while cherishing Japanese ingredients and working closely with artisans who have dedicated themselves to the world of food, aiming to create shops and brands that will be loved for a long time.

Inquiries: https://freckledonuts.jp/contact-form/ (Contact Form)

Biography of Representative Director Nobuyuki Saruta

Born in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture. After graduating from Matsumoto Fukashi High School in Nagano Prefecture, he graduated from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1998. At the time, he was interested not only in eating and drinking but also in the restaurant business, which was beginning to be entertainment-oriented, and felt its future as an industry. He joined Global Dining, which was still a nascent company. He gained extensive experience as a store manager and area manager on-site, mastering team management that leverages interpersonal skills. He later opened SARU as a sole proprietorship before establishing Root Inc. For each store he opens, he teaches on-site for at least one year, building the store's culture together with the employees as he establishes each location one by one. He is enthusiastic about growing the company and making the restaurant industry more appealing by combining his logical market analysis, numerical management, and theories, which stem from his science background, with his approach of supporting employees' skills, interests, and abilities.