MINATOYA BAKERY INAWASHIRO

Offering handmade bread with authentic texture and aroma

Nearby Ryokans

What is Minatoya Bakery Inawashiro?

Lake Inawashiro in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan’s fourth-largest freshwater lake, is also known as “Lake Tenkyo” (Mirror Lake). Located within Bandai-Asahi National Park, it is renowned for its beautiful natural scenery. Within the Lake Side Hotel Minatoya, standing on its shores, the bakery cafe “MINATOYA BAKERY INAWASHIRO” opened in December 2023.

This bakery is supervised by the popular café-style bakery brand “Pan to Espresso to,” originating from Tokyo’s Omotesando, offering handmade bread with authentic texture and aroma.Guests at “LAKE SIDE HOTEL MINATOYA” enjoy freshly baked breakfast from this bakery, along with popular experiences like the Finnish-style tent sauna by the lakeshore and the rooftop BBQ terrace with its beer garden.

The hotel offers views of Lake Inawashiro stretching out before it, and nearby natural scenic spots like Goshikinuma dot the Aizu region, making it an ideal base for travel.

Freshly baked bread by the lake

The interior features a clean, modern cafe space. Wood-grain pillars evoke the nostalgic atmosphere of a traditional inn, while the spacious design with white walls and brown accents is highly popular with younger patrons. The cafe offers a wide range of beverages, including coffee, various teas, soft drinks, and seasonal specials. Enjoy these alongside freshly baked bread while taking in the view of Lake Inawashiro.

For breakfast, choose from three options: the “Toast Plate,” “French Toast Plate,” or “Assorted Bread Plate.” Each comes with several types of homemade deli items, making for a luxurious start to your day.

The signature lunch item is the “Steamed Mou Bread with Chinese Deli Set,” featuring thick-sliced Mou bread steamed in a bamboo steamer. “Mou” means ‘soft’ in French, and true to its name, this square-shaped bread is fluffy and chewy. The Mou series also includes flavors like “Mou Chocolate” and “Mou Earl Grey,” letting you enjoy different tastes depending on your mood. Other exclusive menu items include oven-baked sandwich plates and Moodock plates made with soft French dough.

Seasonal breads also feature ingredients unique to each season. In autumn and winter, enjoy the “Apple Cube Box” with baked apple cubes, chestnut waffles, sweet potato cream bread, and more, offering warm flavors utilizing local ingredients. Everything is handmade by artisans in the in-store kitchen and served fresh. It’s the perfect spot for takeout or gifts.

Highlights of MINATOYA BAKERY INAWASHIRO

How to Enjoy / Recommended Activities

Enjoy a morning meal at MINATOYA BAKERY (9:00 AM–11:00 AM). Their plate featuring homemade deli items is perfect for a slightly indulgent breakfast. Savoring the “freshly baked × freshly steamed” plate while gazing at the lakeside is truly special.

For lunch, we recommend MINATOYA BAKERY’s original creations you won’t find elsewhere: the “Steamed Moo with Chinese Deli Set” or the “Original Moodock Plate.” Alongside these bread sets, we also offer open-faced sandwiches packed with toppings.

Take a stroll along Lake Inawashiro’s shore or hop on a lake cruise from the nearby sightseeing boat pier. Enjoy the lake’s spectacular views throughout the seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, cool lake swimming and canoeing in summer, autumn foliage, and winter’s pristine snowy landscapes with swans arriving at the water’s edge.

If you get a little peckish, head back to the bakery in the afternoon for dessert (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM) and a cup of blended coffee. The high altitude and crisp air make it perfect for a leisurely tea time while gazing out over the lake.

Refresh yourself in the lakeside tent sauna, then enjoy local beer on the rooftop BBQ terrace (advance reservation required) afterward.Interestingly, this bakery transforms into the Chinese restaurant “West Lake” after 5:30 PM. We also recommend savoring an authentic Chinese dinner here. The sauna and BBQ facilities are available not only to overnight guests but also for day visitors.

Basic Information

Name of Spot：MINATOYA BAKERY INAWASHIRO

Business Hours:

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM (Morning)

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Lunch)

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Dessert)

*Closed from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM. Operates as Chinese restaurant “Saiko” from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM.

Regular Holidays: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Official Website: https://h-minatoya.com/bakery

Parking: Approximately 50 spaces (free)

Access

Address: 870 Nagahama, Oozawa, Inawashiro-machi, Yama-gun, Fukushima 969-3285

Access:

・Train: Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Ban’etsu West Line Inawashiro Station, or take the Aizu Bus bound for “Nagahama” from Inawashiro Station (Noguchi Hideyo Memorial Museum stop) for about 10 minutes, then walk about 1 minute from Nagahama bus stop.

・By Car: About 10 minutes from Inawashiro Bandai Kogen IC on the Ban-etsu Expressway.

LAKE SIDE HOTEL MINATOYA

The main attractions of MINATOYA are the unique “tent sauna,” where you can jump straight into Lake Inawashiro as a cold bath, and the rooftop glamping BBQ with stunning views of the lake and Mount Bandai. Here, you can feel completely relaxed while enjoying the breeze, unwind in the sauna, and savor drinks and grilled meats with friends—a truly luxurious way to spend your getaway.

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