Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2014

Whether your preference is for a traditional French baguette, Italian focaccia or dense German bread, you’ll find something to satisfy your craving in one of Tokyo’s numerous bakeries. Be sure to keep your eyes out for gentei (limited time offer) items as these bakeries do a fantastic job with seasonal ingredients. Most shops will have a small section of sandwiches as well as stellar patisseries. Here are some of our favorites.

Maison Kayser

Eric Kayser is famous for using a natural leaven, a fermented mixture of flour and water, instead of yeast. The leaven is much harder to work with, and the results are a bread with richer character. Maison Kayser excels at croissants, pain au chocolat, croissant aux amandes with a sweet coating of almonds, and the poire caramel, a puff pastry dough stuffed with a pear mixture that’s been cooked until it caramelizes. There are numerous shops throughout the city and in many depachika (department store basements). www.maisonkayser.co.jp/3.shop.html

Gontran Cherrier

So many great things to say about this spot. Most important is that it opens at 7:30am as a French bakery should. The rustic croissants can be peeled open layer by layer. Gontran Cherrier is brilliant at using local ingredients for unique creations like a matcha (green tea) croissant, a baguette made with squid ink or curry, and a shiso (Japanese green herb commonly served with sushi) sausage. Shops in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Nihonbashi Muromachi. http://gontran-cherrier.jp/#shop

Peck

Peck is a gourmet shop based in Milan that has branches in Takashimaya department stores. Peck’s focaccia are round, airy discs drenched in olive oil. The ciabatta has a crispy crust and a light interior— perfect for slicing in half, stuffing and grilling at home for panini sandwiches. Peck has an outstanding selection of Italian sliced meats, cheeses, olives and other staples of an Italian pantry. Shops in Takashimaya Nihonbashi and Shinjuku. http://www.takashimaya.co.jp/shopping/food/peck/

Bäckerei Kaffee Linde

Linde is in the busy shotengai justnorth of Kichijoji station. The selection here is filled with hearty German breads made with rye and whole-wheat flour, some studded with dried fruits or seeds. There are also pretzels and lighter kaiser rolls for sandwiches.

1-11-27 Kichijoji-Honcho, Musashino-shi. Tel: 0422-23-1412. http://www.lindtraud.com