Originating from Jewish communities in Poland, the humble bagel has become a staple food in many places across the globe, particularly in North America. If you're looking for places to get your bagel fix in Japan, this guide covers a number of spots in Tokyo where you can do just that.
Kepo Bagels
The origin behind Kepo Bagels has quite a sweet story. The owner had a penchant for chewy foods when she was younger, such as gummy candies and mochi. She also had a love of bread, and ended up starting Kepo Bagels to fuse that love of bread with the love of chewy textures! Offering both Japanese style and American style bagels, the store offers up a variety of sweet and savory flavors including matcha and kinako, pumpkin, and brown sugar with walnuts.
4 Chome-16-13 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo 156-0057
Tecona Bagel Works
Shibuya's Tecona Bagel Works is a great spot to visit if you're seeking variety – they serve up around 50 different types of bagels each day. Like many bagel stores, both sweet and savory options are available, and the best place to check for daily updates about what's on offer is their Instagram page. Stocking up while you're in-store is definitely a good idea, since their bagels can be frozen for up to two weeks and thawed as needed.
1 Chome-51-12 Tomigaya, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0063
Soratokumoto
Located an easy five minutes on foot from Yoyogi-Uehara Station, Soratokumoto is a small bagel store which is only open from Friday through Sunday. The carb-filled offerings here include flavors like cheese and onion or banana and peanut butter, but the menu changes regularly and often incorporates seasonal ingredients. Keep an eye on their Instagram page to get the scoop on what's available before you stop by.
3-chome-2-3 Uehara, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0064
Hoop Bagel
Located directly across from Yokota Air Base (along Route 16), Hoop Bagel has a variety of bagels available on any given day, including seasonal flavors that change throughout the year. You'll find plenty of staple bagel flavors including whole wheat, five grain, blueberry, and cheddar cheese, but their rainbow bagels are also very popular – they've got a hint of sweetness and a ton of color.
2475 Fussa, Tokyo 197-0011
Bagel & Bagel
Although it may be a chain, Bagel & Bagel is a solid option for getting your bread fix. They have many Japanese-inspired bagel flavors on their menu, including options like matcha and white chocolate, Hokkaido melon, and soy milk and edamame, plus they also do a host of great bagel sandwiches if you're looking for something a bit more filling. Best of all, they have stores not just in Tokyo but in other prefectures across the country.
Various locations across Tokyo (and beyond), store listing here.
Wise Sons Tokyo
Wise Sons Tokyo is an offshoot of the San Francisco delicatessen of the same name, and their Japan-based location opened in 2018. They've got plain, sesame, cinnamon raisin, pumpernickel, and "everything" bagels on their menu, plus bagel sandwiches with fillings like smoked salmon, Sriracha chicken, or curried egg salad. Aside from the bagels, their Reuben sandwiches also come highly recommended.
2-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Marunouchi Building B1F 100-0005
Maruichi Bagel
With a recipe based on New York's Ess-a-Bagel, the online reviews of Shirokane's Maruichi Bagel are glowing – one of them goes as far as to say that the student has become the teacher. Freshly made every morning, the bagels can be purchased as they are, or turned into a bagel sandwich piled high with fillings.
1 Chome-15-22 Shirokane, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0072
