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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.
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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.
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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.
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BakeryFrench boulangerie with Viron Retrodor flour
Viron in Tokyo's Shibuya imports flour direct from the Viron mill in France and bakes Baguette Retrodor to French spec. Upstairs is a sit-down brasserie.
Worth the queueBaguette Retrodor and croissant
TipThe takeaway counter is downstairs, the brasserie upstairs; share a croque-monsieur with a glass at lunch.
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BakeryOrganic wild-yeast breadWalk-in only
Levain in Tokyo's Tomigaya has baked organic wild-yeast bread since 1984, one of Japan's earliest naturals. Domestic wheat, on-site cultured levain.
Worth the queuePain de campagne
TipThe pain de campagne and the melange fruit loaf are the morning order. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays; cafe opens 11:00.
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BakeryFrench boulangerieWalk-in only
Maison Kayser Tokyo Omotesando is the French boulangerie chain's flagship below Tokyu Plaza. Eric Kayser's liquid-levain Baguette Monge baked through the day.
Worth the queueBaguette Monge with liquid levain
TipOpen daily 08:00-20:00. The croissants and Baguette Monge are baked in three batches; arrive by 11:00 or 16:00.