What is a Japanese bakery?

There is a special historical story behind Japanese bakery. It is a market that has changed shape over the course of time to become a staple of the Japanese diet. In a country best known for consuming rice on a regular basis, it’s a wonder that the country is now home to so many different types of bread-based options.

Do Japanese bakeries have a self-service system?

On the practical side, most Japanese bakeries have adopted a self-service system. Take a tray and some tongs, and take as much bread as you want from the displays before paying at the counter. For a quick meal on the go, a few buns will be plenty to fill you up.

Is bread a cultural heritage in Japan?

Pan (パン), or bread, in Japan is not at all part of the cultural heritage, yet these days there are many bakeries in Japan. Bread was first brought to the archipelago by Portuguese missionaries in the seventeenth century, and was quickly embraced by the Japanese people.

How to bake in Japan?

Here is a little guide to baking in Japan. You can find all the basic baking ingredients at your local supermarket: flour, baking powder, sugar, chocolate chips, butter, milk. Most grocery stores have a small baking section, stocked with tiny bags of cake decorations, cake mixes, as well as cupcake tins.