5 Local Bakeries & Cozy Cafes in Obihiro
If you are a bread lover, Obihiro is your place. Located in the heart of Hokkaido’s Tokachi region, Obihiro is home to many bakeries committed to using 100% locally-grown wheat.
In this article, I’ll walk you through three beloved local bakeries. And if you’re craving a coffee to go with your bread, don’t worry—I’ll share a couple of cafes too.
Let’s dive in!
getting to Obihiro
By car: 30 minutes from Obihiro Airport, 2.5 hours from New Chitose Airport
By train: 3 hours by the Airport Rapid train toward Otaru, changing at Minami-Chitose to the Limited Express Ozora toward Kushiro or the Limited Express Tokachi toward Obihiro. Note that these express trains require reservations.
Mugioto
Photo: Masuya
This is a must-visit if you are a bread lover traveling to Obihiro. Mugioto is a proud bakery using locally-grown wheat and many other ingredients, such as milk and butter. It is also known as the largest bakery in Japan — they have an open kitchen, an outdoor terrace, a ped-friendly picnic area, a playground for kids, a farmer’s market, and wheat fields!
They offer 100 different kinds of bread every day. If you can’t decide which one to get, here are some of their popular bread.
Tokchi beef curry bread
Shokupan (milk bread)
Beef kalbi dog
Bacon cheese potato mayo
Shrimp katsu burger
Source: Masuya
Mugioto is also an environmental-friendly bakery. They use windmills which turn waterwheels, which powers a millstone to grind the flour. The dough is then baked to fluffy perfection in a stone oven fueled by locally sourced wood pellets. Mugioto’s bread is truly crafted with nature.
INFORMATION
Opening Hours: 7 AM – 6:00 PM
Access: a 10-minute drive from Obihiro Station, or take the 2 Junkan Line bus to Ito-Yokado Iriguchi, then walk 8 minutes.
Bakery Chemin
Bakery Chemin is a charming spot in a vast field of the Tokachi plain. This bakery is also dedicated to making their bread with locally sourced ingredients, from wheat to dairy and eggs. The owner believes that his bakery serves as a bridge connecting local farmers and customers who love bread. Their signature “Chemin Bread” is a popular one, made from a blend of three Tokachi wheat types and enriched with local milk and cream. It’s perfect for enjoying plain or toasted.
INFORMATION
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closes early if sold out), closed on Tuesdays
Access: a 30-minute drive from Obihiro Station
Le carrefour
Le Carrefour is a charming little bakery in a quiet residential area in Obihiro. They are known for its dedication to local ingredients. The bread here is made with care, using milk from a local farm, eggs from a nearby village Nakasatsunai, and 100% Hokkaido-grown wheat. There is an eat-in area where you can enjoy their freshly baked goods!
INFORMATION
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed: Sundays and public holidays
Access: a 7-minute drive from Obihiro Station, or take the 6 Higashi 8-jo Line bus to Higashi 10-jo 13-chome, then walk 1 minute.
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Sawara Coffee
Sawara Coffee is a quiet residential area about a 15-minute drive from Obihiro Station. The owner of this cozy cafe is a certified Q Arabica Grader and roasts the coffee beans himself and serves freshly brewed coffee to ensure a rich coffee experience for customers.
The cafe has a warm, inviting vibe with music playing from vinyl records. The owner renovated the shop by himself, which shows his love for quality. You can sit and enjoy your cup, or grab a bag of beans to bring back home.
INFORMATION
Opening Hours: 12:30 PM – 7:00 PM, closed on Mondays
Access: a 15-minute drive from Obihiro Station, or take the 36 Shinmachi Line bus to Nishi 21-jo Kyoku-mae, then walk 2 minutes.
Hotchino Coffee
If you want to explore a variety of coffee, Hotchino Coffee is the spot for you. What’s unique about this cafe is the extensive menu, featuring many combinations of beans, roasting styles, and brewing methods. If you don’t know what to take, the owner is happy to help you find the perfect blend for you. They also offer a popular coffee tasting menu, a wide selection of homemade cakes and freshly roasted coffee beans.
INFORMATION
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, closed on Tuesdays
Access: a 5-minute drive from Obihiro Station, or take the 1 Junkan Line bus to Higashi 2-jo 6-chome, then walk 1 minute.
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