¥¥¥¥
BakeryFrench patisserie and viennoiserie
Pierre Herme Paris Aoyama in Tokyo is the French patissier's Asia flagship on Aoyama-dori. Macarons, the Ispahan, and a viennoiserie counter for croissants.
Worth the queueIspahan macaron and croissant
TipThree-floor flagship; the cafe second floor is the calmer seated option. The Ispahan rose-lychee macaron is the canonical.
¥¥¥¥
BakeryFrench patisserie-bakeryWalk-in only
Boul'Mich Yurakucho in Tokyo's Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan basement is the 1973 French patisserie's home shop. Hand-rolled croissants and the mille-feuille daily.
Worth the queueMille-feuille and croissant
TipBelow the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan; closest to JR Yurakucho. Open 10:00-20:00 daily.
¥¥¥¥
BakerySingle-bake artisan loavesWalk-in only
Bakery Tokyo Shibuya in Tokyo's Okushibu is the sister bakery to Shibuya Cheese Stand. Single-bake country loaves and pain de mie, baked each morning.
Worth the queueCountry bread with house mozzarella
TipClosed Mondays. Best paired with the cheese stand's mozzarella and burrata next door.
¥¥¥¥
BakeryShokupan and Western breads
Centre The Bakery in Tokyo's Ginza is the shokupan-only counter where queues form for the milk bread tasting flight by 11:00 most days. Cafe seating upstairs.
Worth the queueThree-style shokupan tasting (Pullman, mountain, raisin)
TipThe cafe side seats a toast-tasting flight; the takeaway counter sells loaves whole. Closed New Year.
¥¥¥¥
BakeryClassic shokupan and rollsWalk-in only
Pelican Bakery in Tokyo's Asakusa has baked only two products since 1942: shokupan and dinner rolls. Loaves sell out by mid-afternoon and reservations help.
Worth the queueShokupan square loaf
TipPhone-reserve a loaf two days ahead or arrive by 10:00. The Pelican Cafe on Kotobuki serves the same loaves toasted with butter.
¥¥¥¥
BakeryTruffle-laced breads and pastriesWalk-in only
Truffle BAKERY in Tokyo's Sangenjaya turns French butter-bread into a luxury product with imported truffle. The white truffle salt roll is the queue-builder.
Worth the queueWhite truffle salt bread
TipBuy the truffle salt rolls warm before noon; the black truffle egg sando is the lunch order. Cash and IC cards.