Michikusa Gurus
5 bakeries to visit in Kyoto, the bread battleground of the city

Kyoto has an image of being a Japanese food lover, but in fact, the locals also love bread. In fact, Kyoto is so popular that it ranks among the top three in every consumption survey. Naturally, there are many bakeries, and you can find delicious bread everywhere in the city. From famous stores that have been around for 100 years to up-and-coming bakeries, we recommend that you make a trip around the theme of bread.

Open only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Breads used by chefs as souvenirs of your trip

From top left:
From top left: "Yamashoku" 430 yen, "Campagne" 1,840 yen (half and quarter loaves also available), "Batard" 440 yen, "Gograin Bread" 300 yen

This store was opened in 2018 by the owner, who has worked as a wholesaler to famous Restaurants and Hotels for many years and has been nominated by many chefs. From flour selection to blending and fermentation, the breads are born from a quest not bound by theories, and the dough is exceptionally delicious. They complement food and wine to the fullest. The delicious taste and pleasant elasticity of "Campagne" made with homemade raisin yeast, the aroma and crispness of "Yamashoku" made with Japanese wheat "Haruyutaka," and the flavorful "Croissant" made with pesticide-free whole wheat flour all fill you with a deep flavor as you bite into them.

There are about 15 kinds of breads made with the utmost care. Enjoy the taste and aroma.

The owner is passionate about baking bread. The simple storefront reflects his philosophy.
The owner is passionate about baking bread. The simple storefront reflects his philosophy.

The store has allowed us to take on new challenges that we could not have taken on as a wholesaler. We also appreciate the opportunity to hear directly from our customers. That's why I think our bread will continue to evolve," says the owner with straight eyes.
The store is located on Kitayama-dori, a quiet street away from the city. Although open only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, many people come from far and wide to buy Yoshida bread in person. A note recommending how to eat the bread and how to store it is also included. The love for bread is evident in every detail.

Michikusa's expert comment
The menu changes daily, but there are also several types of snack breads such as curry bread. The ingredients are also designed to enhance the deliciousness of the dough, and the taste is a real eye-opener. A mail order assortment of regular breads is also available. Check Instagram for details.
Yoshida Bakery
  • Address Arcadia Matsugasaki 1F, 2-2 Unro-cho, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 8 minutes on foot from Matsugasaki Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line.
  • Direction Approx. 2 min. walk from Matsugasaki Daikokuten stop on Kyoto City Bus.
  • Business hours 8:30 - 14:00 (close when sold out)
  • Closed Monday-Thursday, Holidays
  • TEL 075-712-7233
  • Parking None

Enjoy the authentic French taste at any time of the day!

Lunch-only
Lunch-only "Half-boiled egg and smoked bacon salad with bread" set with coffee 950 yen, assorted single bread

A little west of Karasuma-Oike Subway Station. Année, located on Anekoji Dori, is a bakery run by a French-trained baker. It is a sister store of the popular cafe "Kochi," a 10-minute walk away, and is well known not only for its bread, but also for its homemade dishes for eat-in. Lunch is served with a choice of five different types of bread, including soup prepared with seasonal vegetables, quiche, and a salad with many ingredients. You can enjoy as many different flavors of bread as you like, including baguette, brioche, and whole-grain bread.

The comfortable, unpretentious interior is perfect for taking a break during your trip.

Old wooden floors and vintage furniture adorn the self-built, renovated interior. Outside, there is a terrace full of greenery.
Old wooden floors and vintage furniture adorn the self-built, renovated interior. Outside, there is a terrace full of greenery.

Among the authentic breads, the "Baguette Traditional," made with domestic wheat and baked at a low temperature for 48 hours, is a must-try. The nutrition and flavor of the wheat is concentrated in the baguette, and the more you eat it, the more you will be captivated by its taste.
In France, I realized that bread is not something pretentious, but an everyday meal that children can buy with their allowance. That's why I want to keep the casual atmosphere of the store and the sweet breads that children like, such as melon bread," says the owner with a smile. We recommend taking a break with the family or looking for a snack.

Michikusa's expert comment
Croissants that are crispy on the outside & moist and rich on the inside, tarts, and seasonal fruit sandwiches are also popular. The store closes at 9:00 p.m., so it is a good choice for an evening meal or breakfast the next morning.
Année
  • Address 139 TSUCHIGATSUCHO, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction Approximately a 3-minute walk from Karasuma-Oike Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line
  • Business hours 11:00-21:00
  • Closed Thursday, Sunday, 3rd Wed.
  • TEL 075-222-0517
  • Parking None

Upgrade your home cooking with excellent breads that go well with wine and meals.

From top left:
From top left: "Red Wine Bread" 380 yen, "Bacon Epi" 280 yen, "Cannele Chocolat" 300 yen, "Blue Cheese and Honey Bread" 200 yen, etc.

Hanakago, located on Muromachi Dori where many restaurants and offices are gathered, is trusted by chefs and sommeliers. The owner, who has experience as a pastry chef at prestigious French and French restaurants in Tokyo, creates mainly hard breads that go well with meals and also with wine, combining ingredients such as blue cheese and ragout.
Noteworthy is the "red wine bread," prepared with red wine instead of water and kneaded with figs and nuts. Pair it with washed cheese or duck and you have a perfect feast. Each bread has a variety of flavors that can be enjoyed depending on the pairing.

Four types of unique baguettes to choose from according to your menu

The store name
The store name "Hanakago" is named after the owner's last name. The large cherry blossoms painted on the wall inside the store are impressive.

There are four types of baguettes: the orthodox type, the "Baguette Traditionnelle," made with 100% whole wheat flour and rich in flavor, the chewy "Mottochiri Bataar" made with Hokkaido wheat, and the "Francaise" made with French wheat and soda water, all of which are unique. The croissant, which the owner used to make in France, has a slightly light texture that makes you want to eat as many as you like. The store also sells French wines and ciders at a reasonable price, as the owner says, "I love wine so much. They go great with the bread.

Michikusa's expert comment
The owner, a former patissier, also offers high quality traditional French baked goods such as canelés, gateau basques, and fermented pastries from the Alsace region. We recommend them as souvenirs or gifts.
HANAKAGO
  • Address 516-4 Koiyama-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 5 minutes on foot from Karasuma Oike Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line
  • Business hours 8:30-17:00
  • Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • TEL 075-231-8945
  • Parking None

Home-made from organic wheat flour. Enjoy the taste of freshly ground wheat!

Baguette Rouge
Baguette Rouge" (280 yen), "Fruy Levain" (290 yen), etc., made with as little yeast as possible and aged at a low temperature for a long time.

Nakagawa Flour Shop is located in the neighborhood of Shimogamo Shrine. The owner sincerely believes that "I want to make delicious meal bread that is not flashy but can be a source of daily sustenance," and he mills his own organic brown wheat flour every day on a European millstone.
One of their signature products is "Pan-Complex," made with 100% whole wheat flour and fermented with natural yeast, which highlights the delicious taste of freshly ground wheat. By grinding the whole brown wheat, the bread has a rich flavor filled with dietary fiber and minerals. The aroma is rich and the flavor spreads in the mouth.

The popular "Toast Montagne" has an impressive soft and fluffy texture!

Toast Montagne
Toast Montagne" 650 yen per piece, 325 yen for a half piece. The mountainous shape, just like in a picture book, is also adorable.

Toast Montagne," a mountain-shaped bread, is another popular item. It is hard to imagine from its crispy appearance, but the inside is surprisingly soft, chewy, and fluffy. The secret behind the unique texture is said to be the use of 100% organic wheat, water added to the limit, and long fermentation time. It is delicious enough to eat as is, but when toasted, you can enjoy the best balance of crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Breads are baked several times a day, but reservations are recommended as they are inevitably sold out. Reservations for all breads can be made by phone from 8:30 a.m. on business days.

Michikusa's expert comment
The warmth of the wood-filled store is always filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods. The lineup of about 20 varieties of bread has remained almost unchanged since the store opened in 2011. This is a reflection of the owner's commitment to the mastery of each and every bread.
Nakagawa Wheat Shop
  • Address 52-1 Matsunoki-cho, Shimogamo, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction 1 min. walk from Shimogamo-jinja-mae bus stop by Kyoto City Bus.
  • Business hours 10:00-16:00 (close when sold out)
  • Regular holiday Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
  • TEL 075-702-6672
  • Parking None

Founded in the Taisho era. A long-established bakery that has been loved by customers in Nishijin.

Chilled Fresh Anpan
Chilled Fresh Anpan" with Dainagon azuki bean paste and fresh cream: 190 yen; "Curry Bread": 180 yen; "Yakisoba Roll": 300 yen.

Taisho Bakery was established in 1919 and is the second oldest bakery in Kyoto. Located near the intersection of Senbon Imadegawa, it is marked by a retro sign and storefront that will make you feel nostalgic even if you are visiting for the first time.
The third generation couple's creed is to make bread with the aroma and sweetness of wheat by fermenting at low temperatures for a long time. In addition to bread and baguettes, they also offer a wide variety of traditional side dishes and sweet breads. The most popular curry bread is filled with a spicy homemade roux. The bread is baked before frying, so it is always crispy and crunchy.

Many easy snack breads are also available. The handwritten pop-ups are also comforting.

There is a wide variety of fried bread, Danish, sandwiches, and more. It is a daily scene that children from the neighborhood come to the store to buy bread for their parents.
There is a wide variety of fried bread, Danish, sandwiches, and more. It is a daily scene that children from the neighborhood come to the store to buy bread for their parents.

Chilled Fresh Anpan" and "Chilled W Cream Buns" are also specialties that can be enjoyed like a cool dessert. The idea came from the wife of the third generation who runs the store. She is always warm and welcoming, and there are many regular customers as well as three generations of parents and children who come to the bakery to enjoy the bread.
The Nishijin area where Taisho Bakery is located is a textile town centering on Nishijin brocade. In the days when production was thriving, the bakery used to make deliveries to the factories, and many of the craftsmen are also fans of the bakery. Please try the bread that the people of Kyoto, who love high culture, have loved for 100 years.

Michikusa's expert comment
Since Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, which enshrines the god of learning, is nearby, the bakery sells "Passing Exam Bread" in the shape of an ema (votive tablet) every year during the exam season only. If you make a reservation in advance, they will write your name or an original message in chocolate.
Taisho Bakery
  • Address 136 Hanyuin-mae-cho, Senbon Higashi-iru, Imadegawa-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto MAP
  • Direction Approx. 1 min. walk from Senbon Imadegawa bus stop by Kyoto City Bus.
  • Business Hours 8:30-18:00
  • Closed Sunday, Monday, Holidays
  • TEL 075-441-3888
  • Parking None
The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.