Local Guide
A tour of 6 stores in Matsumoto and Azumino that offer delicious breads.

As represented by the famous "oyaki", the food culture of wheat has long been rooted in Shinshu. Because of its location, there are many famous stores in and around the city where you can enjoy unique breads. In this issue, we will introduce seven carefully selected bakeries where you can enjoy the bounty of the Shinshu land, as well as long-established bakeries that have been local favorites for over 90 years, and encounter delicious and unique bread.

The aroma of freshly baked bread wafts through the store!
The aroma of freshly baked bread wafts through the store!

The name "Ecru" means "raw" or "as is" in French. As the name suggests, in order to create delicious bread that brings out the best of the ingredients, only the best ingredients are used, and all the ingredients are homemade. The breads that are made with such time and effort include more than 150 varieties. Mothers play a central role in baking a full lineup of breads, from hard breads to cooked breads, sweet breads, and baked sweets, all baked with love and care. The price card for each product is accompanied by a "one word note" describing the ingredients of each bread and a recommended way to eat it, showing the store's concern for even the smallest details.

Local Guide Comment
A small bakery like a hideaway. Most of the breads are said to be free of eggs and dairy products. The wide variety of breads is delicious no matter what you try, but the bagels are a particular favorite.

Even fans from outside of the prefecture visit the store.

Danish tart 180 yen with seasonal fruits
Danish tart 180 yen with seasonal fruits

The Danish tart, filled with seasonal fruit, is a perfect match between the moderate acidity of the fruit and the sweet dough. Ecru also offers a wide variety of recommended breads, such as "Cream Anpan" filled with custard and sweet bean paste, hard bread made with homemade yeast, and bread. It is no wonder that many people, both in and out of the prefecture, visit Ecru in search of the bread of their choice. Bread lovers will be delighted to find their favorites among the many delicious breads at Ecru.

ecru
  • Address 3-4-441 Sawamura, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
  • Bus Direction From JR Matsumoto Station, take the Alpico Bus North City Line, westbound, 10-minute walk from the Arikazaki-kita bus stop.
  • Business hours 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Closed Sundays and Mondays
  • TEL 0263-33-2861
  • Parking Free of charge
A wide variety of prepared breads and soft breads
A wide variety of prepared breads and soft breads

Sapanzi" mainly sells hard and Danish breads. It opened in 2014 after renovating an antique art store. The atmospheric store offers more than 40 varieties of breads made by the owner, who studied for about 10 years mainly in Kyoto. Popular items are hard breads such as baguettes and rustics, and danishes. The estimated baking time for each type of bread is displayed in the store, so it is recommended to check the time and visit the store according to the type of bread you want to try, or call to make a reservation.

Local Guide Comment
When I come here, I always buy hard bread and Danish! The Danish has a crispy texture that is hard to find anywhere else. The original bag is also cute and many people upload it on SNS!

We want to convey the taste of hard bread to people who don't know about hard bread.

Popular
Popular "S Baguette" 285 yen

S Baguette" and "Rustic" are made with stone-ground flour, which brings out the sweetness and flavor of the bread. The dough is aged overnight before baking, resulting in a glutinous texture on the inside and crispy on the outside. The pleasant texture and the mellow aroma of the wheat gradually spreading through the air are also very special. The owner hopes that even those who don't eat hard bread will enjoy the taste of this bread. Another attraction of this shop is that you can learn how to reproduce the texture and taste of freshly baked bread even after some time has passed, as well as the bread recommended for re-baking.

Local Guide Comment
The simple hard bread has an addictive taste and is often sold out, so it is recommended that you call and ask for the baking time and ask to reserve a loaf for later.
Sapanzi
  • Address Maruni Building 1F, 2-8-7 Ote, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes walk from JR Matsumoto Station
  • Business hours 8:00-18:00
  • Closed Monday
  • TEL 0263-87-6002
  • Parking Free of charge
Milk bread 335 yen
Milk bread 335 yen

One of the specialties of Komatsu Bakery, a long-established bakery that began bread production in 1924, is "milk bread. Since its appearance in the early 1930s, it has remained popular with locals and tourists alike, and is so synonymous with Komatsu that locals say, "When you think of Komatsu, you think of milk bread. The fluffy, hearty bread is filled with milk cream that melts in your mouth, giving it a nostalgic flavor. On a good day, nearly 200 loaves are sold, and by noon they may be sold out. Reservations are recommended for those who want to purchase.

Local Guide Comment
The milk bread has an amount of cream you won't find anywhere else! The firm sweetness and volume of the cream gives it a nostalgic flavor that makes you wish you had it when you were a student on your way home from club activities.

Another specialty, "miso bread" from Shinshu

Miso bread 389 yen
Miso bread 389 yen

Along with the milk bread, the long-selling "Miso Bread" is also a local delicacy. Miso bread from Shinshu is made by kneading miso into the dough and baking it to give it a hard, biscuit-like texture. At Komatsupan, you can also enjoy the savory miso flavor and crispy texture of miso bread!
The store is located in the center of the city near Matsumoto Castle, so why not stop by for some local bread during a stroll around the city?

Local Guide Comment
The store also has a large selection of cooked breads and other items, and is loved by a wide range of customers, from children to the elderly. My personal recommendation is the "Neapolitan bread! The sweetness of the Neapolitan bread and the spicy mayonnaise go very well together in the soft bread.
Komatsu Bakery
  • Address 4-9-13 Ote, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 13 minutes walk from Matsumoto Station
  • Business hours 8:30-19:00
  • Closed Sundays & Holidays
  • TEL 0263-32-0172
  • Parking Free of charge
Broad bread 648 yen and up, bread cubes 518 yen
Broad bread 648 yen and up, bread cubes 518 yen

The store specializes in brown rice-flour bread, created with the hope that "everyone will know the deliciousness of brown rice-flour bread. All breads contain 40-50% "Libre Flour," brown rice flour produced in Nagano Prefecture, including Azumino. Because it is made from powdered brown rice without destroying its nutritional value, it is highly nutritious and has a moist, glutinous texture that is easy on the palate. We recommend that you start with simple meal breads such as the standard "Cube Bread" and the hard bread "Oryza Brot" to enjoy the aroma, flavor, and texture unique to brown rice flour.

Local Guide Comment
This store specializes in brown rice flour bread, which is rare in Japan. Brown rice flour is said to have superior water retention properties compared to wheat flour, resulting in a sticky texture. Even bread that has woken up after being brought home can be warmed up to restore its glutinous texture!

Excellent stewed dishes. Free refills of bread, too!

Tomato and fresh mozzarella curry 1,058 yen
Tomato and fresh mozzarella curry 1,058 yen

You can fully enjoy various kinds of brown rice flour breads and stewed dishes that go well with the breads at the bread diner, located in the same space as the bakery. The most popular dish is the "Curry with Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella," which contains a whole tomato peeled in hot water. It goes so well with the bread that you will find yourself asking for more bread again and again. Waffles and cakes are also made with brown rice flour.

Local Guide Comment
The eat-in menu is attractive with free refills of brown rice flour bread, and the dishes are also breaded to the brim...I always end up eating too much (laugh).
ORiZA+Bread Diner
  • Address 1F Liberty Degawa, 2-16-2 Degawa, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 10 minutes walk from JR Minami-Matsumoto Station
  • Business hours 10:30 - 21:00 (L.O. 20:40)
  • Closed Open irregularly (3-4 days a month)
  • TEL 0263-88-5334
  • Parking Free of charge
Breads lined up in the store are slightly more soft breads
Breads lined up in the store are slightly more soft breads

Founded in 1913, the Namiyanagi branch is one of the branches of "Sweet", a long-established store that has been a local favorite for over 100 years. Located near Kobo Mountain, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, it is visited not only by local customers but also by tourists from Suwa and other prefectures. The bread baked in the store's Spanish-made stone oven is fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside due to the effect of far-infrared rays. About 70 kinds of breads are always on display. There is also an eat-in space, terrace seating, and a kids' area where customers can enjoy freshly baked bread with free coffee.

Local Guide Comment
The restaurant is open from 7:00 a.m., so buying breakfast bread is also recommended. There are so many varieties of breads to choose from that it is hard to keep your eyes open, but there are always freshly baked breads, and I always end up buying one of the freshly baked ones.

Medium-spicy curry bread with large pieces of beef

Curry bread 180 yen
Curry bread 180 yen

The most popular item is the "Curry Bread. It is filled with beef curry that has been cut into slightly larger pieces and simmered for more than three hours, making it very satisfying. The basic flavor is medium-hot, but the sweetness varies slightly depending on how the onions are sauteed, which can only be achieved by handmade bread. Yasai Pan" is another long-selling product. The third generation adjusted the seasonings and the amount of vegetables to achieve the perfect taste, and it has become what it is today. Breads using seasonal ingredients are developed on a regular basis.

Stone Oven Baked Bread Castle Sweet Namiyanagi
  • Address 2-212-1 Namiyanagi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 15 min. walk from JR Minami-Matsumoto Station
  • Business hours 7:00-19:00
  • Closed Year-end and New Year's holidays
  • TEL 0263-50-6540
  • Parking Free of charge
Stylish store interior. A view of the countryside spreads outside.
Stylish store interior. A view of the countryside spreads outside.

The name "Takenos" comes from the name of the district called Takeshita in Hotaka, Azumino where the bakery is located. The store specializes in scones and baked goods made with 100% wheat grown in Azumino, Shinshu. The cute looking scones and baked goods are a new specialty of Azumino and make great souvenirs. The original packaging and gift boxes are tastefully designed, making them "something you would want to give to someone, but also something you would be happy to receive. Freshly baked scones can be enjoyed at the eat-in space where you can relax and enjoy the view of the countryside.

Daily scones and biscotti are popular

Scones with seasonal vegetables and fruits change daily.
Scones with seasonal vegetables and fruits change daily.

Both scones and biscotti are available in six or seven varieties, changing daily, with the most popular being the simple plain flavor. The scones range from a combination of buckwheat flour and apple to unique flavors such as vegetable-based scones. The ingredients are carefully selected with a focus on "ingredients that can be eaten every day and still be energizing. The sweets are popular because they are gentle on the body. Granola, an original blend of dried fruits and nuts, is also popular.
Scones are sometimes sold out in the evening, so early purchase is recommended.

Local Guide Comment
The first time I visited there, they were out of scones, so I bought a biscotti, which was so delicious that I decided to buy it just in time for opening time to get a scone too! So I went to buy them just before the store opened. The scones, made with 100% Azumino wheat, completely change the image of scones.
Takenos Bake
  • Address 1916-2 Ariake, Hotaka, Azumino, Nagano MAP
  • Direction Approximately 7 minutes from JR Ariake Station by car
  • Business hours 11:00-16:00
    Thursday - Sunday
  • TEL 0263-31-6399
  • Parking Free of charge
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.