When it comes to Japanese cuisine, sushi, ramen, and traditional sweets often steal the spotlight. However, Japan is also home to a distinctive and highly evolved bread culture, offering flavors and ideas you won’t find anywhere else.

In this article, we introduce three breads said to have originated in Japan, along with three regional bread specialties from the Kansai area that are easy to find at supermarkets and train stations. Whether you’re a foodie or a casual traveler, this guide will make choosing bread in Japan even more fun and rewarding.

Bread is said to have been introduced to Japan from Portugal in the 16th century during the Sengoku period. It did not become commonly eaten until the Meiji era, after which uniquely Japanese breads such as sweet red bean bun and cream pan began to emerge one after another and gradually took root in Japanese food culture.

In Japan, bread has traditionally been enjoyed not as a staple food but as a snack or light meal, and this has helped foster the wide variety of creative and distinctive breads found today.

Here are three iconic Japanese breads loved by generations, each with its own unique charm.

Melon pan is a sweet bread made by baking a layer of crisp cookie dough over soft bread dough. Its signature appeal lies in the contrast between the crunchy exterior and fluffy interior. Despite the name, it doesn’t taste like melon—the bread was named for its melon-like appearance.

Recommended spot: World’s Second Best Freshly Baked Melon Pan Ice Cream – Amerikamura in Shinsaibashi, Osaka

This popular shop serves warm, freshly baked melon pan sandwiched with cold ice cream. The hot-and-cold combination creates a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s truly addictive—and well worth the wait in line.

Curry pan is a uniquely Japanese savory bread: curry wrapped in dough, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. Crispy on the outside and rich and creamy inside, it perfectly blends two beloved foods—bread and curry—into one satisfying bite.

Recommended spot: Sunny Side Bakery (Osaka & Hyogo areas)

One of their signature items, the “Melty Homemade Beef Curry Pan,” is packed with chunky beef and flavorful curry roux. The Sunny Side Osaka Naniwa no Niwa branch, which opened in March 2025 inside Naniwa Palace Ruins Park, is especially convenient for travelers. Enjoy your curry pan on the open terrace or grassy lawn for an even better experience.

Yakisoba pan features stir-fried noodles stuffed generously into a soft, elongated bread roll. Loved by both kids and adults, this carb-on-carb combination may sound unusual—but it works surprisingly well. One bite, and you’ll understand why it’s so popular.

Recommended spot: Tansei (Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture)

A bakery reborn from the famed Osaka-Umeda shop ROUTE271, Tansei is known for its thoughtful ingredient pairings and meticulous preparation. Their legendary Thai-style yakisoba pan, once a best-seller at ROUTE271, still appears occasionally—so keep an eye out if you’re lucky enough to visit on the right day!

In Japan, you’ll find regional “local breads” (gotōchi pan) sold at neighborhood supermarkets and station kiosks, each reflecting local tastes and food culture. Why not make it part of your journey and enjoy these easy-to-find Kansai soul foods while you travel?

At the popular Kyoto bakery Shizuya, the signature item “Karune” can sell thousands of pieces a day. This simple sandwich features a round French roll filled with butter, boneless ham, and crisp sliced onions. Its simplicity highlights the quality of the ingredients, resulting in a nostalgic yet addictive flavor.

Shizuya shops can be found at major Kyoto locations such as JR Kyoto Station, Shijo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway, and Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line.

At Bakery Kotobuki in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, this raisin bread—packed generously with raisins throughout the loaf—has been loved by locals for generations. It features a nostalgic flavor, gentle sweetness, and a satisfyingly hearty texture.

While the main shop is a bit out of the way, you can conveniently purchase it at the 7-Eleven in front of the Shinkansen ticket gates at Himeji Station.

Salad Bread (Sarada Pan) is a famous local specialty made and sold by Tsuruyapan in Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture—and it often pops up in the media. This soft, slender bread is filled with a surprising ingredient: shredded pickled daikon (takuan) mixed with mayonnaise! It may sound unexpected, but the sweetness of the bread and the salty crunch of the pickles are perfectly balanced, creating an addictive flavor. It’s a true Shiga soul food.

If you’d like to sample a wide variety of recommended breads and uniquely Japanese creations all at once, head to Hanshin Umeda Main Store in Osaka’s Umeda area. On the first floor, you’ll often find rotating bread pop-up events featuring popular bakeries from Kansai and across Japan—perfect for bread lovers on the go.

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How did you like our selection? Beyond the breads introduced here, Japan is full of unique and delicious breads that have evolved in their own distinctive ways. Be sure to look for your own favorite as you travel around the country!