283. This is the number of bakeries in Kyoto. The city is known for closely following Kobe for the title of the biggest bread-consuming city in Japan. If you visit Kyoto, you will likely find a Bakery on every corner, with a distinct personality for each of them. Trying bakeries there is a must-do if you’re around. But which one to start with? No worries, we made a list of our favorite bakeries just for you!
View outside Le Bac à Sable – Credit: Nate Gray
“A la française…”
Le Bac à Sable
If you look for a taste of France, Le Bac à Sable will definitely immerse you in Parisian Café culture. Operated by a French Baker, this popular bakery combines good food, pleasant ambiance, and reasonable prices. Especially if you want to eat delicious quiches, there are many different flavors to taste.
Address: 51 Saikaishicho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0012, Japan
Hours: 8 am – 7 pm, Thursday – Tuesday (closed Wednesday)
Phone: +81757463080
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/lebacasablekyoto
Le Petit Mec Imadegawa bakery’s front – Credit: Official Website of Le Petit Mec
Le Petit Mec Chain
Another French food culture paradise is Le Petit Mec, a popular bakery chain born in Kyoto, already validated by the number of French visitors. We selected 3 of their best shops for you.
“Phenomenal,” “heavenly,” “spectacular,” those are some adjectives that customers use to define Le Petit Mec – Imadegawa bakery. A radio playing French songs, good coffee and pastries, here, you will definitely feel like you are in France. So much so that some French people who visited it declared they felt at home. And you want to know a secret? Apparently, the French actress Catherine Deneuve left a note saying the croissants of this place were as good as her grandma’s!
Address: 159 Motokitakojicho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8448, Japan
Hours: 8 am – 6 pm, 7 days a week
Phone: +81754321444
Website: https://lepetitmec.com/
Isn’t the most French baked good a croissant? What better experience than to try those from Le Petit Mec – Oike! “A reason enough to go”, some said… With a large variety of options, this bakery is particularly popular for its variety of croissant flavors. Pistacchio, cream cheese, almond… If you want to eat this original French pastry, this place is a must-try!
Address: Japan, 〒604-0024 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Shimomyokakujicho, １８６番地 ビスカリヤ光樹 １F
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm, 7 days a week
Phone: +81752127735
Website: https://lepetitmec.com/
Le Petit Mec croissants – Credits: Official Instagram page of Le Petit Mec
If you prefer cream pastries, why not visit Le Petit Mec – OMAKE! It is said they have particularly delicious cream buns and breads, filled with lots of rich and decadent cream. The bakery is widely known for this feature in their pastries, and some say it’s their favorite among the Le Petit Mec bakeries!
Address: 418-1 Ikesucho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8216, Japan
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm, 7 days a week
Phone: +81752551187
Website: https://lepetitmec.com/
Maruki Bakery’s Koppepan – Credits: Leaf Kyoto website
Maruki Bakery
Speaking of cream, other bakeries are equally known for the quality of their creamy pastries. At Maruki Bakery, you can find fresh cream buns and cream donuts, at really affordable prices! Despite the long queue that can be discouraging, this old traditional Japanese-style bakery is a must-visit, to the degree that you might even be tempted to become a regular customer. This bakery is also famous for its Koppepan, which are long, shaped white bread, usually used for sandwiches. Don’t hesitate, it might be one of the softest koppepan you’ll eat in your life!
Address: Japan, 〒600-8356 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Kitamonzencho, 740
Hours: 6:30 am – 8 pm, Tuesday – Saturday. 6:30 am – 2 pm, Sunday (closed Monday)
Phone: +81758219683
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/marukiseipansyo/
Pile of shio bread – Credit: Leiter1940s
Miyako Bakery
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, a sprinkle of salt on top…we’re talking about shio bread. If you are a shio bread lover, Miyako Bakery is waiting for you! Here, you will find a large variety of shio bread for reasonable prices. This small shop sells goods that are quoted by some to be “almost too good to be true.”
Address: 1-2 Hokicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8055, Japan
Hours: 8 am – 7 pm, Monday – Saturday (closed Sunday)
Phone: +81756117761
Website: http://otesuji.jp/shop/058.html
Freshly baked bread on a wooden board – Credit: Eric Prouzet on Unsplash
Slō
If you are not afraid of long queues, we recommend you try Slō, a popular bakery with really friendly staff, and the wait is worth the quality. This bakery is run by a young couple who can also converse in English. Visitors most likely come back a second time, as bread’s taste is qualified to be “out of this world.”
Address: 707ｰ2 Uematsucho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8028, Japan
Hours: 9 am – 4 pm, Tuesday – Friday. 9:30 am – 4 pm, Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday)
Phone: +81757087815
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/slo.kyoto/
Kamogawa Bakery’s bagels – Credits: Official Website of Kamogawa Bakery
For Vegans and Bagel Lovers
Kamogawa Bakery
Are you looking for a bagel, or do you want to try some? Visit Kamogawa Bakery! Matcha, chocolate, bacon, cheese, blueberry, early grey, walnut, curry, fig… here’s a non-exhaustive selection of bagel flavors you will find! In addition, they have many vegan options that taste as good as they look, so why hesitate?
Address: 386 Iseyacho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-0873, Japan
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm, 7 days a week
Phone: +81757467720
Website: https://www.kamogawabakery.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=gbp&utm_campaign=gbptop
Outside shot of Coneruya bakery – Credit: Coneruya official website
Bakeries for your future morning routine
Coneruya
At Coneruya, you can never get bored, even if you’re going back again and again. They like to vary their options and refresh their menu, so there is a large variety of bread, and of excellent quality! They also change their selection to follow the seasons, so you will always find something new to try, even if you visit the city several times a year. If you go once, you’re doomed… as unfortunately, you might want to come back the very next day!
Address: 71-2 Jurakumawari Nishimachi, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8402, Japan
Hours: 8 am – 7 pm, 7 days a week
Phone: +81758229342
Website: https://coneruya.com/
Tom Sawyer Bakery’s pastries – Credits: Grace Cheng on Pinterest
Tom Sawyer
With different options each day, Tom Sawyer might also trap you. People often say they would come back after their first visit. With a warm atmosphere and a wide selection of baked goods, you are sure to find what you are craving in the moment. The reviews speak for themselves, with people saying “the pastries are out of this world,” and that they have “excellent bread quality.” The staff of this local bakery will ensure that you’ll eat an enjoyable and rewarding breakfast.
Address: 72-17 Murasakino Minamifunaokacho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8225, Japan
Hours: 7 am – 7 pm, Wednesday – Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday)
Phone: +81754518007
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/tomsawyer_1994/
The bakeries mentioned above are some of our favorites in Kyoto, but they’re just the beginning! The city is full of hidden gems and artisanal spots waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re a croissant connoisseur or just love fresh-baked bread, exploring Kyoto’s bakery scene is a must-add to your travel plans. Don’t forget to bring your appetite, you’ll need it!
Featured Photo Credit: Elena Birukow on Pinterest
