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We get asked often where our favorite sushi restaurants are, but we prefer Japanese bakeries over sushi any day. A Japanese bakery store is one of the things we really look forward to when visiting Japan.

A bakery might not be the first place that comes to mind for most people planning their trip to Japan, but it’s always a must for us. We pretty much go to a bakery every other day, which sounds excessive, but you’ll understand the obsession once you experience it.

The variety of pastry and baked goods is not only delicious but you’ll encounter unique concoctions as well. We promise that the baguettes and pastries in Japan match the quality (or even better) of what you would find on the streets of Paris.

Our hometown is in Narita and the bakery we frequent the most often is called Lyon. Getting to the bakery first thing in the morning is best because popular items sell out pretty fast.

You’ll find plenty of familiar items, but if you are in the mood to try something new, this list will introduce you to some of the most popular items that are unique to Japan. You’ll see the word “pan” (パン) used a lot and this means “bread” in Japanese.

Melon Pan - Melon Bread

The one item Crystal must have is the Melon Pan (melon bread). It’s a classic sweet bread covered in a delectable thick layer with a cookie crust top that literally looks like a melon.

That crispy top layer is addicting and only crispy when it’s fresh, so if you get one that isn’t hot out of the oven, then you are not getting the best Melon Pan experience. 

Mentaiko Fransu Pan - Cod Roe France Baguette

If you want to be adventurous, try something distinctive to Japan like french bread with mentaiko (明太子). Mentaiko is seasoned cod roe which is a very popular seafood. It’s on the salty side and it’s typically garnished with thin slices of seaweed. 

This combination of ingredients may sound a little “off”, but the salty taste of the mentaiko and the earthy flavor of the french baguette surprisingly pair perfectly.

Anpan - Sweet Red Bean Bun

Anpan (あんパン) is a classic Japanese pastry with a sweet red bean paste inside a soft bread. This is a favorite of our nephew’s and the only thing he requests when we go to the bakery.

Generally, you’ll find Anpan topped with sesame seeds, but if you find one with a jolly-looking face with prominent cheeks, it’s a beloved cartoon character named Anpan Man.

Anpan Man is a superhero that has the ability to break pieces of his head and give them to people when they need to eat. His character was created in the 70s and is still popular to this day.

Satsumaimo - Japanese Sweet Potato

If you happen to visit Japan in autumn, it is the peak season for sweet potatoes. Autumn in Japan would not be complete without the appearance of the iconic satsumaimo topped on a flaky pastry or mashed into a creamy texture.

Japanese sweet potatoes have a much sweeter taste than ordinary sweet potato varieties found in the US, so they make for fantastic desserts.

Shokupan - (Loaf of) Bread

Even if you aren’t the adventurous type, there are plenty of traditional items like scones or sugar donuts, but we highly recommend trying just plain loaf of bread (食パン).

Japanese bread has quite a different reputation from western bread. It’s very soft, has a pillowy texture, and is slightly sweet. We can’t get enough of it and we especially enjoy it when it’s been lightly toasted. 

Lyon Bakery has a bread vending machine outside so that customers can buy a loaf of bread outside of business hours.

So have we convinced you to visit a Japanese bakery? There are Japanese markets in the states that sell Japanese bread and pastries, but the flavor and freshness just aren’t comparable, so it’s best to visit a bakery in Japan to get the ultimate authentic experience.

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