Cookie Tins, Scones, Financiers… 8 Top Bakershops in Kyoto [A Complete Guide with Business Hours and Directions]

Many of you have probably seen the phrase “Kyoto is the city of bread” in travel magazines or on social media. While Kyoto is known as a hotbed of competition in the bread scene, “baked goods” have actually been gaining just as much momentum as bread in recent years.
"Cookie tins"—assortments of cookies packed into cute tins—have become a nationwide craze, with lines forming outside popular shops even in Kyoto. Furthermore, baked goods like madeleines and financiers have a long shelf life at room temperature and hold their shape well, making them an ideal souvenir to bring home from Kyoto.

In this article, we’ll introduce eight reliable bakeries—six specialty bakeries and two Western-style pastry shops—that were personally visited and selected by our Kyoto-based staff. We’ve also compiled practical information such as business hours, days off, and directions, so please use this to help plan your trip.

Please note that popular shops often sell out early in the afternoon, so if there’s a specific shop you’d like to visit, we recommend stopping by in the morning or right after it opens. Also, since business hours and days off are subject to change, we recommend checking the latest information on each shop’s official website or social media before your visit.

Table of Contents

■Baked Goods Specialty Store Category

1. Sakata Confectionery Shop (Kamishichiken)
2. Nakamura General Store (Karasuma Oike)
3. Sarasa Baked Goods Workshop (Sanjo-kai Shopping District)
4. Murmur (Nishijin)
5. Sugitora Patisserie Lab (Ichijoji)
6. Ohayo Biscuits (near Nijo Castle)

■Western-Style Pastry Shop Category

7. La Classique (Shimogamo)
8. Lamarck (Imadegawa)

■ Summary

■Baked Goods Specialty Store Category

1. Sakata Confectionery Shop (Kamishichiken)

First up is a place located near “Kamishichiken,” one of Kyoto’s five geisha districts,Sakata Bakery. Located in the charming Kamishichiken area with its cobblestone streets, the building is easily recognizable by its eye-catching blue exterior—one that’s sure to make you do a double-take. It’s situated just east of the “Kamishichiken” city bus stop.

The owner, Yasuko Sakata, originally had her workshop in Joyo City, but she temporarily moved her base to Sasebo, Nagasaki. She later returned to Kyoto, where she sold her goods at craft fairs and through wholesale channels, before opening her current shop in 2015. She says the inspiration for her baked goods comes from the treats she enjoyed as a child in Canada. The shop is lined with cookies, scones, and American-style pies baked with carefully selected natural ingredients; their substantial size and warm, rustic flavor are their main attractions.

Our classic cookies include “Ginger,” with its distinct ginger flavor; “Nuts & Chocolate Chips,” which combines walnuts, oatmeal, and dark chocolate chips; “Jam Sandwich,” filled with seasonal jam from Nagano; and “Bear,” with its cute bear shape. As for pies, the rich and creamy pumpkin pie comes highly recommended. Cookie sandwiches are also sometimes available as a summer-only special.

The packaging design is another reason for its popularity. The wrapping paper, designed by Ms. Rei Imai—an illustrator and friend of Mr. Sakata—is absolutely charming, and the finished product is so lovely you’ll want to keep it. Since it’s within walking distance of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, it’s also a great place to stop by when you visit the “Tenjin-san” festival held on the 25th of every month.

〇Sakata Bakery
Address: 181-1-1-B Nishikamizenji-cho, west of Rokken-cho on Imadegawa-dori, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City
Phone: 075-461-3997
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Please check for details)
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays (subject to change)
Directions: Just a short walk from the "Kamishichiken" city bus stop
HP:https://sakatayakikashiten.com/

2. Nakamura General Store (Karasuma Oike)

The next restaurant is located in Karasuma-Oike, Kyoto's business district.Nakamura General StoreIt is.
The owner is a true professional who honed his skills in Hawaii at the popular restaurant “Diamond Head Market & Grill,” where he became the first Japanese person to serve as the scone chef—baking 300 to 500 scones every morning all by himself starting at 5:00 a.m.

A “General Store” refers to what Hawaiians call an “old-fashioned general store where you can find just about anything.” The store’s name embodies the desire to serve as a hub for the local community. The store is decorated with Western books and American character merchandise, creating an atmosphere that makes you feel as if you’re right in Hawaii.

Their signature item is the “Blueberry Cream Cheese Scone.” Made with a rich, buttery dough mixed with fruit and cream cheese, these scones are baked to be crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Many people are surprised by the texture, which is completely different from the typically dry British-style scones. The Banana Cream Cheese Scone and Mango Cream Cheese Scone are also popular.

We also recommend the “Banana and Walnut Brownie,” which features rich chocolate, a subtly sweet batter, and a delightful banana flavor; the “Cornbread,” with its fun, crunchy texture from the corn grits; and the “Banana Bread,” made with plenty of perfectly ripe bananas. Be sure to try our seasonal apple pie (fall and winter) and cherry pie (spring and summer) as well.

Since this is a popular store, many items sell out by the afternoon. If you want to be sure to get what you want, we recommend visiting right after the store opens.

○ Nakamura General Store
Address: 293-1 Takoyakushi-cho, Muromachi Oshikoji Nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
Phone: 090-3652-0454
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Closes when sold out)
Closed: Wednesdays
Directions: About a 5-minute walk from Karasuma-Oike Subway Station
HP:http://nakagene.com/index.html

3. Sarasa Baked Goods Workshop (Sanjo-kai Shopping District)

Next, we’d like to introduceSarasa Baked Goods WorkshopIt is.
The shop is located in the Sanjo-kai Shopping Arcade, near Nijo Castle. Said to be one of the largest in western Japan, this covered shopping arcade stretches approximately 800 meters and features a mix of traditional shops and cafes and gift shops housed in renovated machiya townhouses. The shopping street is also home to Yasaka Shrine’s Matatabi-sha, which is associated with the Gion Festival, making it the perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

This is a specialty baked goods shop operated by the “Sarasa” Group, which runs several cafes throughout Kyoto City. The shop features an array of American-style baked goods that exude a homemade feel. Their signature “Carrot Cake” combines plenty of carrots with walnuts, cinnamon, and coconut, and despite its substantial appearance, it has a light texture. The cream cheese topping is also not too sweet, making it easy to polish off in no time.

The "baked-as-is cookies," which are large and have a crisp texture, are also a perennial favorite. Their American-style sweetness, packed with chunks of chocolate, pairs perfectly with coffee.

Be sure to check out the cookie tins that have become popular in recent years. This tin features a selection of five classic varieties—vanilla cookies, cashew and chocolate rye cookies, chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter oatmeal cookies, and coffee cookies—and is appealing for its convenient size and affordable price.

The Sarasa Group operates several unique stores in Kyoto City, including “Sarasa Nishijin,” which was renovated from an old public bathhouse. You can also enjoy your treats at “Sarasa 3,” a café adjacent to the baked goods workshop.

〇Sarasa Baked Goods Workshop
Address: 309, Mikomo-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
Phone: 075-822-1600
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed: Wednesdays
Directions: About a 5- to 7-minute walk from the "Nijo-jo-mae" station on the Tozai Subway Line
HP:https://www.cafe-sarasa.com/

Be sure to check out this article introducing Sarasa Group restaurants!

→Visit Kyoto's Sento Renovation Cafe. Enjoy the Showa-era retro space that makes you feel at home.

→Recommended after a night of sightseeing in Kyoto! I'll tell you about night cafes where you can spend a relaxing time!

4. Murmur (Nishijin)

Next up is Le Murmure, located in a quiet residential neighborhood in Kamigyo Ward, just down Teranouchi-dori and Ogawa-dori. Its stylish, white-themed exterior is sure to catch your eye.

Run by two sisters—the younger sister bakes the sweets and the older sister handles customer service—this shop is known for making and selling only the sweets they truly love. “Murmure” means “to murmur” in French, and the name comes from the story of how the two sisters created new treats while eating sweets together, chatting about things like, “This one tastes better,” or “What if we tried this instead?”We are open only two days a week: Friday and Saturday.So,Reservations are required for the café.That's our unique sales approach.

One of their signature products is the “Tou-Tou-Pyrénées.” This large brioche-style pastry is shaped like the Pyrenees Mountains and is characterized by its generous filling—ranging from a plain version with white bean paste to a chocolate version with smooth red bean paste. It has a moist, tender texture.

The "Nut Tart," with its crunchy, nutty aroma, is also popular, and we recommend pairing it with the Coffee Stout from "Woodmill Brewery Kyoto," a craft beer brewery located across the street from the shop.

In addition, the seasonal “Tarte Tatin,” available from around November through early spring, is the specialty that inspired the owner to open the shop. Made with 10 to 12 Kogetsu apples from Aomori Prefecture per tart and baked slowly until the edges are charred black, this dish is known for its rich caramel flavor.

○ Le Murmure
Address: 518 Hiki-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto (south of the intersection of Teranouchi-dori and Ogawa-dori)
Phone: None (Inquiries via Instagram only)
Hours: Every Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closes when sold out)
Closed: Closed on all days other than those listed above. Please check in advance, as there may be temporary closures due to events or other reasons.
Directions: About a 20-minute walk from Imadegawa Subway Station; it’s convenient to take the bus.
HP:https://www.instagram.com/lemurmure.cakes/

5. Sugitora Patisserie Lab (Ichijōji)

The next shop is SUGiTORA Patisserie Labo.
The parent company, “SUGiTORA,” is a popular gelato and parfait specialty shop with its flagship store located between the Teramachi and Shinkyogoku shopping districts in the Kawaramachi-Sanjo area. Owner-chef Shinichi Sugita is a highly skilled pastry chef who represented Japan at the world-renowned “Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie 2015” and won a silver medal.

Originally, this location was home to “Sugitora Fruit Shop,” the family business of Mr. Sugita, but it closed in 2008. It reopened in 2017 as the gelato shop “SUGiTORA,” and in December 2021, this Ichijōji branch opened as a specialty bakery that also serves as a production facility.

The concept is “baked goods that you can enjoy every day as an everyday treat without ever getting tired of them.” Inside the shop, madeleines, pound cakes, dacquoises, cookies, and other treats are packed tightly on the shelves, all enveloped in the rich aroma of butter.

We highly recommend the classic financiers, which are baked to perfection and feature the rich aroma of butter and almonds (freshly baked ones often arrive around 1:00 p.m. every day). The meringue cookies, available in two flavors—strawberry and lemon—as well as the “Jumping Tora-chan” cookies featuring the same flavors, are adorable and make great gifts.

Don’t miss the cookie tin. Filled with a wide variety of baked goods—including green tea and lemongrass sablés, vanilla and chocolate sablés, florentines, boules de neige, galettes bretonnes, and meringues—this tin makes the perfect gift. It’s also available in our online store.

○ Sugitora Patisserie Lab
Address: 56-1 Umenoki-cho, Ichijyoji, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Phone: 075-708-5058
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Baked goods for sale / 1:00 p.m. onward: Café open) *Closes once items are sold out
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (occasional closures may occur) *May vary by location
Directions: About a 5- to 8-minute walk from the "Chayama/Kyoto University of the Arts" Station on the Eizan Electric Railway
HP:https://www.sugitora.com/patisserie-labo

6. Ohayo Biscuits (near Nijo Castle)

Next stop.Ohayo BiscuitsIt is.
Located in the Horikawa Nakadachiuri area, this charming Western-style pastry shop—with its white exterior and cute brown door—is about a 15-minute walk from Imadegawa Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line. The shop offers a wide variety of traditional French regional pastries—such as sablés, macarons, tarts, scones, and raisin sandwiches—all beautifully displayed.

Our signature "Carrot Cake" features a dense, flavorful batter with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg, coated in cream cheese. It pairs perfectly with the nutty aroma of the nuts and has earned a loyal following.

"Raisin Sandwich" is a treat featuring rum-soaked raisins and buttercream mixed with white chocolate sandwiched between two cookies—it has an addictive flavor. "Lunette," which means “glasses” in French, is a leaf-shaped sablé cookie filled with raspberry jam—a beautiful treat that showcases the contrast between the white powdered sugar and the red jam.

Because they're not too sweet and have a long shelf life, they make great gifts. The small shop also has a seating area where you can eat in.

○ OHAYO Biscuit
Address: 96-2 Aburahashizume-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City
Phone: 075-411-9179
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed: Monday through Wednesday (Open Thursday through Sunday only)
Directions: About a 3-minute walk from the "Horikawa-Nakatateuri" city bus stop; about a 15-minute walk from the "Imadegawa" subway station
HP:https://www.facebook.com/OHAYObiscuit/

■Western-Style Pastry Shop Category

Next, we’ll introduce two authentic patisseries that specialize not only in baked goods but also in fresh sweets.

7. La Classique (Shimogamo)

La KLASSIQUE is a patisserie located near the World Heritage Site of Shimogamo Shrine, right beside Tadasu Forest.
Chef Masaya Kato, who trained for 12 years under Chef Kinzo Nishihara at the renowned Kyoto restaurant “Au Grenier d’Or” and served as its sous chef, opened this restaurant in August 2018.

When you step inside the store, you’ll see rows of cookies and meringues lining the left-hand side. The “Assorted Cookies,” which are especially popular with women, offer a simple yet consistently delicious taste. The “Sablé Chocolat Caramel Salé”—a chocolate sablé sandwich with caramel and a hint of salt—is also a favorite.

The “Lemon Cake” is another signature item—a masterpiece created by the chef’s wife, who, like Chef Kato, trained at Grenier d’Or. Made with the zest and juice of lemons from Mie Prefecture, it features a mild tartness and delicate aroma, and the texture of its thin sugar glaze (glace à l’eau) is delightful, making it a true symbol of the shop.

The cookie tins are also highly regarded. This meticulously crafted item—a cookie tin that Chef Kato and his wife had long dreamed of since childhood—took three years to perfect. Weighing a substantial 500 grams, it’s generously filled with 14 varieties of cookies. The assortment blends a retro vibe with a touch of glamour, featuring classic cookies adorned with red “dried cherries” and green “angelica,” pure white pretzel-shaped cookies, “Sablé Vanille” with its rich aroma of cultured butter, and lemon-flavored icing cookies shaped like little pigs.

We always have about 10 varieties of fresh pastries available, including shortcakes made with seasonal fruits, the popular fall treat “Mont Blanc” made with a blend of French and Italian chestnuts, and our signature “Chou Classique,” named after the shop itself. There is also a seating area inside the store.

○ La KLASSIQUE
Address: 1F, Tadasunomori Bldg. main building, 13-9 Shimogamo Morimoto-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Phone: 075-746-3059
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dine-in Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Last order at 4:30 p.m.)
Closed: Sundays and Mondays (Open on national holidays)
Directions: About an 11-minute walk from the Keihan "Demachiyanagi" Station; about a 1-minute walk from the "Tadasu no Mori" city bus stop
HP:https://www.instagram.com/laklassique/

8. Lamarck (Imadegawa)

Last but not least, we’d like to introduce LAMARCK, located about a 6-minute walk from Imadegawa Station and close to Doshisha University and the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
In May 2019, Chef Pâtissier Tatsuya Yoshida—who honed his skills at Hotel Granvia Kyoto, as well as in Paris, Tokyo, and Osaka—opened the shop alongside his wife, who is also a pastry chef. The shop’s name, “La Marque,” comes from the fact that they once lived on Rue de La Marque in Paris.

As you enter the store, you’ll see a wide selection of baked goods for takeout lined up on your right. The lemon sablé “Oiseau de Bonheur,” which means “Bird of Happiness,” was created at the suggestion of the owner’s wife, who loves bird motifs; thanks to its adorable appearance, it has even graced the cover of a magazine.

In addition, we offer a wide variety of authentic baked goods, such as orange cake, financiers, and madeleines. The financiers, in particular, are made to fully bring out the flavor and texture of almond flour.

One of their signature fresh pastries is the matcha Opera cake, “The Fragrance of a Blooming Forest.” It features alternating layers of matcha sponge cake and matcha buttercream. The chocolate cream is infused with grapefruit juice, and grapefruit zest is mixed into the bottom layer, adding a subtle hint of bitterness. This masterpiece has garnered significant media attention, including the release of a collaborative product with Lotte’s “Choco Pie.”

They also pay special attention to the packaging; when you order takeout, your food is wrapped in a furoshiki—a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth—rather than a paper bag, which really makes the green logo stand out against the white background. It’s perfect for gifts, too.

○ Lamark (LAMARCK)
Address: 333-1 Benzaiten-cho, Shinmachi-nishiiru, Imadegawa-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
Phone: 075-496-8548
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (may also be closed on Mondays)
Directions: About a 6-minute walk from the “Imadegawa” Station on the Tozai Subway Line
HP:https://www.instagram.com/lamarckkyoto/

■ Summary

Since baked goods can be carried around at room temperature and hold their shape well, they make excellent souvenirs from Kyoto. Each shop takes great pride in its ingredients and production methods, and offers a wide selection of gift items, including cookie tins.

The eight shops featured here are located in various areas, including Kamishichiken, Nishijin, Ichijōji, and Shimogamo. We recommend venturing a little off the beaten path of the typical tourist routes to enjoy a “sweet stroll” exploring Kyoto’s baked goods culture.

Please note that business hours, days off, and available products are subject to change. In particular, some stores—such as Murmur, which is open only two days a week—or stores where popular items sell out quickly may have different schedules or stock levels, so please check each store’s official website or social media for the latest information before visiting.