When you walk on Old Karuizawa Ginza Street (軽井沢銀座通り), you will notice that there are several bakeries on this 750-meter-long street. Some of them even have a cafe serving light meals! Because each of them has its charm, if you are unsure which one to visit, read on for an introduction to the most popular ones and the reasons behind them!
The below spots are listed according to their distance from JR Karuizawa Station:
Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyukaruizawa (ベーカリー&レストラン沢村旧軽井沢)
Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyukaruizawa is one of the most popular bakers in Karuizawa. The bakery has more than 80 different kinds of bread and pastries up to the French quality standard on the shelf. It makes its bread using around 20 different types of flour from Japan and internationally and 4 types of homemade yeast. The level of water used, the bakery’s temperature and humidity, and the dough’s temperature are adjusted daily. No wonder the taste of the baked items is constantly delicious!
Since it also has a fancy and spacious restaurant serving pizza, pasta, and burgers made from local ingredients, it can be a potential spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner! When the weather is warm, the terrace seats surrounded by greenery are the best spot to enjoy a nicely prepared meal (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
The bakery also sells cakes and jams. The coffee brewed there is nice too.
Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyukaruizawa’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyukaruizawa is open from 7 am to 9 pm.
- The last order is taken at 9 pm at the restaurant.
- The restaurant is closed at 10 pm.
- The bakery is around a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station and a 1-minute walk from the Kyu Karuizawa bus stop.
Ufufu Donut Kyukaruizawa (ウフフドーナチュ旧軽井沢)
If you love doughnuts, Ufufu Donut Kyukaruizawa’s doughnuts won’t disappoint. Not only are the doughnuts delicious, but they are healthier as they are made with the motto, “Let children eat delicious handmade doughnuts that are kind to the body”. So the shop that only employs local mums is really particular about the ingredients, and of course, no preservation is used.
The vegetables and fruits in the doughnuts made there are mostly sourced locally. Through the shop’s window, you can observe the doughnut-making process. To probably reinforce the children-centered concept, the table sets at Ufufu Donut Kyukaruizawa are all school tables and chairs. In fact, the space in front of the shop looks like a classroom, and the narrow corridor to the actual shop resembles the one in Japanese schools!
Regarding the taste and texture, the doughnuts are crispy on the outside and have the right amount of sweetness. Many are made from dough mixed with various vegetables and superfoods, such as kale. So although it is doughnuts that you are putting into your mouth, you won’t feel so guilty about it (^_-)-☆.
Ufufu Donut Kyukaruizawa’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Ufufu Donut Kyukaruizawa is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays only.
- The shop is around a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station and a 1-minute walk from the Kyu Karuizawa bus stop.
Miffy Mori no Kitchen (みっふぃー森のきっちん 軽井沢店)
If you find Miffy cute, visit Miffy Mori no Kitchen! The shop full of Miffy’s merchandise is hard to resist not stepping in. While the taste isn’t the best in Karuizawa, even the bread in their bakery at the back of the shop is filled with Miffy’s cuteness!
In addition to the Miffy An-Pan (a bun in Miffy’s shape that is filled with red bean paste), also remember to grab a pink apple cube (りんごキューブ). The Karuizawa store’s limited menu has apple compote in it!
Note that the Miffy An-Pan is sweet. So if you prefer something less sweet, it is best to skip it. Also, as a side note, Miffy’s ears aren’t filled with red bean paste, but the bread itself is nice.
Tip: Because Miffy An-Pan runs out pretty quickly, the bakery bakes them throughout the day. So if there is none left, there should be a signboard indicating when the next batch will be out. Arrive 10 minutes earlier than the indicated time to guarantee a Miffy An-Pan.
Miffy Mori no Kitchen’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Miffy Mori no Kitchen is open daily from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
- In winter, Miffy Mori no Kitchen is closed at 5 pm.
- The shop is around a 20 to 25-minute walk from Karuizawa Station and a 2-minute walk from the Kyu Karuizawa bus stop.
Boulangerie Asanoya (ブランジェ浅野屋)
We all know that the Japanese are good at perfecting everything. When it comes to a bakery, it can mean tasty bread and a variety of baked items on the shelf. Boulangerie Asanoya opened in 1933 is a good example. Using a Spanish stone oven, the wholesome and rustic-style bread at Boulangerie Asanoya is amazing!
At Boulangerie Asanoya, more than 60 kinds of bread are listed on its menu. There is also an eat-in space at the far back. It is just nice to enjoy freshly baked bread in a space filled with the pleasant scent of bread.
Tips:
☛ Arrive early to secure the popular bread.
☛ The apple pies, cream cheese and chestnut pretzels there are really delicious.
Boulangerie Asanoya’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Boulangerie Asanoya is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
- The last order for weekdays is taken at 3 pm.
- The last order for weekends and public holidays is taken at 5 pm.
- The bakery is around a 25-minute walk from Karuizawa Station and a 5-minute walk from the Kyu Karuizawa bus stop.
Karuizawa French Bakery (フランスベーカリー)
Opposite Boulangerie Asanoya is another bakery, Karuizawa French Bakery. Opened by the bakery chef of Manpei Hotel in Karuizawa in 1951, Karuizawa French Bakery’s bread is simple but delicious that even many travel magazines would mention in their Karuizawa special. Even John Lennon loved the baker! So remember to look up at the wall while choosing bread, as you should be able to see a couple of the famous musician’s photos up there (^_-)-☆.
Amongst the famous bakeries in Karuziawa, Karuizawa French Bakery probably receives the most local customers. The signatory item of the bakery is the baguette. Made with natural yeast and fermented for five days, it is the bread that John Lennon was fond of when he visited Karuizawa French Bakery.
Like Boulangerie Asanoya, Karuizawa French Bakery also has a small dining space. Furthermore, if you spend a night at Karuizawa, Karuizawa French Bakery’s bread might be a part of the morning buffet!
Tips:
☛ Arrive early, as most of the bread will be sold out by the early afternoon.
☛ Karuizawa French Bakery’s apple pie is another must-buy item. It perfectly balances the sweetness and sourness of the apple and the sweetness of the custard underneath. Surprisingly, the apple slices are still kind of crunchy! Because it can last for 3 days at room temperature, many people have brought it back as a souvenir or gift.
Karuizawa French Bakery’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Karuizawa French Bakery is open from 8 am to 5 pm.
- Apart from summer, the bakery closes on Thursdays.
- The bakery is around a 25-minute walk from Karuizawa Station and a 5-minute walk from the Kyu Karuizawa bus stop.
Discover the Best Cafes and Interesting Spots on Old Karuizawa Gina Street
Obviously bakeries are not the only shop category on Old Karuizawa Gina Street. The 750-meter-long street is lined with trendy cafes, confectionary shops, tasty restaurants and a lot more!
So refer to our Guide to Old Karuizawa Gina Street for more ideas of where to stop by when you visit Karuizawa!
