Known as the "Brooklyn of Tokyo," Kuramae has long been famous as a neighborhood of artisans and craftsmanship. In recent years, it has become one of Tokyo's trendiest areas, where traditional charm blends seamlessly with modern culture through stylish shops, cafes, and creative spaces.
Located just a short distance from Asakusa, Kuramae is an easy neighborhood to add to your Tokyo itinerary. Strolling through its charming streets, browsing unique local shops, and walking along the Sumida River are all part of the experience. The area is also home to many excellent bakeries, ranging from long-established local favorites to modern bakeries known for their carefully crafted breads and pastries. For bread lovers, Kuramae is a destination worth visiting.
But when looking for a bakery in Kuramae, you may be wondering:
• Which bakery serves the most delicious bread?
• What Kind of Bakeries Are Popular in Kuramae?
• Are they open in the morning? To-go only, or can I eat in?
Don't worry! In this article, I'll introduce three bakeries in Kuramae that I personally visited and would happily return to. I'll also explain what makes each bakery special, why they're so popular, and whether they offer takeout, dine-in options, or both, so you can find the perfect bakery for your visit.
1. Where Can You Find Truly Delicious Bread in Kuramae?
If you're visiting Kuramae, you'll probably want to find a bakery that serves truly delicious bread. However, with so many excellent bakeries in the area, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth visiting, especially if it's your first time here.
In this article, I'd like to introduce three bakeries that I personally visited and would happily return to:
- Shinonome Bakery（シノノメ製パン所）
- Pelican Bakery（パンのペリカン）
- GINZA NISHIKAWA COFFEE ROASTERY（銀座に志かわ 蔵前店）
Each bakery offers something unique. From a stylish bakery with carefully crafted breads and pastries, to a long-established local favorite loved for generations, and a popular shop known for its premium Japanese white bread, there's something for every bread lover.
In the following sections, I'll share what makes each bakery special and why they have become so popular among locals and visitors alike.
2. What Makes Kuramae's Popular Bakeries So Special?
Kuramae is home to a variety of unique bakeries, and one of its greatest charms is that many of them reflect the neighborhood's distinctive character. Some offer stylish spaces where choosing your bread becomes part of the experience, while others are long-established bakeries that have preserved traditional flavors for generations. You'll also find bakeries where you can relax and enjoy a leisurely cafe experience.
The three bakeries featured in this article each have their own unique appeal, offering different experiences for visitors.
1. SHINONOME Bakery
2. Pelican Bakery
If you'd like to experience a classic Tokyo bakery, Pelican is an excellent choice. Founded in 1942, this long-established bakery has been loved by locals for generations and is especially famous for its shokupan (Japanese white bread) and soft bread rolls.
While its breads may seem simple at first glance, they offer a comforting, timeless flavor that you'll never tire of.
The bakery itself is To-Go only, but there's also a nearby cafe operated by the same company where you can relax and enjoy dishes made with Pelican's famous bread.
You can read my full article about Pelican Cafe here.👈
3. GINZA NISHIKAWA COFFEE ROASTERY
If you'd like to try Japan's premium white bread, GINZA NISHIKAWA Kuramae is well worth a visit. The bakery is famous for its signature high-quality shokupan, made with carefully selected water and known for its soft texture and melt-in-your-mouth taste.
It's also a popular choice for gifts and souvenirs. Inside, you'll find a cafe space where you can relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy freshly baked bread. With both To-Go and dine-in options available, it's a convenient spot for breakfast or a break during your time in Kuramae.
3. Are They Open in the Morning? To-go or Dine-In?
When choosing a bakery, it's helpful to know not only what they serve, but also when they're open and how you can enjoy their products. Whether you're looking for breakfast, something to-go, or a relaxing cafe experience, these three bakeries offer different options.
Shinonome Bakery
Hours: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Shinonome Bakery is To-Go only and opens at noon, making it a great stop during an afternoon stroll around Kuramae. If you're planning to visit, keep in mind that it isn't open in the morning.
Pelican Bakery
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pelican is also To-Go only, but it opens early in the morning, making it a convenient option for those who like to start their day early. Phone reservations are available if you'd like to secure your bread in advance.
GINZA NISHIKAWA COFFEE ROASTERY
Hours: 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
GINZA NISHIKAWA offers both To-Go and dine-in options. In addition to purchasing their famous premium white bread, you can enjoy breakfast or spend a relaxing cafe break inside the store.
Quick Comparison
- Looking for artisan pastries to-go?→ Shinonome Bakery
- Want to pick up bread early in the morning? → Pelican
- Prefer a place where you can enjoy breakfast or a cafe experience? → GINZA NISHIKAWA COFFEE ROASTERY
No matter which bakery you choose, each offers a different way to enjoy Kuramae's vibrant bakery scene.
My Experience
Shinonome Bakery
Step inside and you'll find yourself surrounded by a charming space with a warm, vintage atmosphere. Instead of picking up the bread yourself, you simply place your order and the staff will pick the items for you.
This time, I tried:
🥐 Cruffin / Lemon Curd (¥560)
🥐 Croissant (¥380)
🥐 Red bean bun / rice cake, mugwort (¥470)
🥐 Cinnamon Roll (¥450)
The cruffin is a pastry that combines the flaky texture of a croissant with the shape of a muffin. It's coated with sugar on the outside and filled with plenty of sweet and tangy lemon curd inside. The flavor changes with the seasons.
The mugwort-flavored bun is filled with chewy mochi and sweet red bean paste.
The croissant is a signature item made with domestically produced fermented butter and freshly baked every morning.
The cinnamon roll is a Danish-style pastry generously layered with cinnamon paste and cinnamon sugar.
Everything was beautifully made and absolutely delicious.
Basic information
🏠 Shinonome Bakery（シノノメ製パン所）
📍 4-35-2 Kuramae Taito-ku, Tokyo
🕘 12:00 PM–6:00 PM (Until Sold Out)
💤 Closed on Sundays
🚶 5-minute walk from Kuramae Station
💴 Cash only
Pelican Bakery
At Pelican, I purchased their shokupan (Japanese white bread) and bread rolls. Since the bakery is located just a short walk from Pelican Cafe, I often stop by to pick up some bread as a souvenir after visiting the cafe.
On my previous visit, the bread rolls had already sold out, so if there's something specific you'd like to try, I recommend making a reservation in advance.
According to the bakery, the bread is best enjoyed within three days when stored at room temperature. If you won't be able to finish it within that time, freezing is recommended.
My personal favorite is their shokupan. Even the crust is delicious, and when toasted, it becomes wonderfully crisp on the outside while remaining soft and fluffy inside. It has a simple, comforting flavor that never gets old and is the kind of bread I could happily eat every day.
Pelican's bread is so highly regarded that it is served at many restaurants and cafes throughout Tokyo. After trying it for yourself, it's easy to understand why this beloved bakery has been cherished for generations.
Basic information
🏠 Pelican Bakery（パンのペリカン）
📍 4-7-4 Kotobuki Taito-ku, Tokyo
🕘 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Until Sold Out)
💤 Closed: Sundays and special holidays
🚶 5-minute walk from Kuramae Station
💴 Cash only
GINZA NISHIKAWA COFFEE ROASTERY
At the Kuramae branch, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and cafe menu items.
This time, I tried their Morning Plate (¥1,000), which comes with toast, a salad, bacon and egg, matcha syrup (yuzu syrup is also available), and a drink. You can choose from an Americano, tea, or apple juice for your drink.
Made with carefully selected ingredients, including alkaline ionized water, flour, fresh cream, and butter, the shokupan is known for its fluffy, chewy texture and smooth mouthfeel .
Watching the butter slowly melt into the warm toast was pure happiness in the morning. The matcha syrup is quite rich, so I recommend dipping the toast into it little by little rather than pouring it all over.
The plate also comes with a generous salad and bacon and egg, making it a well-balanced and satisfying breakfast.
During my meal, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a sample of their raisin shokupan.
I also picked up a premium sweet red bean shokupan (¥1,200) as a souvenir. It gave me something to look forward to the next morning.
Basic information
🏠 GINZA NISHIKAWA COFFEE ROASTERY（銀座 に志かわ 蔵前店）
📍 4-1-1 Kuramae Taito-ku, Tokyo
💤 Closed on irregular days
🚶 3-minute walk from Kuramae Station
💴 Credit cards, e-money, and QR code payments accepted
In this article, I introduced three bakeries in Kuramae that I personally visited and would happily return to.
Although they are all bakeries, each one offers a unique experience and its own special charm. You can pick up some bread to-go and explore the streets of Kuramae, or relax and enjoy a leisurely cafe visit—there's something to suit every travel style.
Easily accessible from Asakusa, Kuramae is a neighborhood that bread lovers won't want to miss. As you discover your favorite bakery, be sure to enjoy exploring the unique atmosphere and charming streets that make Kuramae so special.
If you want to see more delicious food in Asakusa, be sure to check out my Instagram too📸✨Just click the icon below!
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