● Discover the appeal of 'SWEET BERRY', a hugely popular bakery in Sapporo where you can find authentic baguettes.
As someone who absolutely loves bread, I was on the lookout for a great bakery when I came across a store specializing in French bread on social media. French bread is made simply from flour, yeast, and water. Yet, precisely because it's so simple, it's actually quite difficult to make.
It's popular with locals, and I've even heard customers say, "I only buy my bread here." In this article, I'd like to introduce the charms of SWEET BERRY—a bakery so beloved it's become a true neighborhood staple.
■ What “SWEET BERRY” Is Like
▲ Located just steps from the station, it's always buzzing with customers.
This bakery is situated in the Atsubetsu Chuo area, about a two-minute walk from Shin-Sapporo Underground Station. It opened in May 2020 and moved to its current location in April 2025.
The owner, Mr. Yamaya, trained at the first company in Japan to produce French bread and is a veteran baker with around 50 years of experience in the trade.
▲lthough the store isn't large, the shelves are packed with delicious-looking bread.
The store carries not only French and German breads but over 100 varieties in total. Everything is reasonably priced and looks so tempting that you can't help but want to grab something.
■What does a baguette taste like when you learn directly from the 'God of Bread'?
▲ Store owner Mr. Yamaya.
Raymond Calvel was a figure who greatly advanced bread culture in Japan. Mr. Yamaya says he received direct instruction from him at the long-established bakery where he started his career.
It takes around six hours to produce an authentic baguette, and even a 0.5-degree difference in the dough's temperature can change the final result.
Even today, he continues to make French bread using traditional methods, staying true to the basics while carefully accounting for the dough, water, and heat generated by the machinery.
▲ French bread is baked twice a day. Prices range from ¥300 to ¥520 depending on size.
Interestingly, about 25 years ago, legislation in France changed to prevent workers from putting in long hours. As a result, simpler bread-making methods replaced the more labor-intensive traditional ones. At the time, Mr. Calvel is said to have remarked, "If you want to eat truly delicious French bread, go to Japan."
▲Precisely because it's made with simple ingredients, the more you chew, the more you can savor the flavor of the wheat.
Mr. Yamaya says that with freshly baked French bread, you can hear the "whisper of the bread"—the sound of the crust crackling crisply right out of the oven. With a crisp crust and a chewy interior, you can taste the natural sweetness of the wheat with every bite.
■ Pumpernickel: One bite that will change everything you thought you knew about German bread
▲A selection of German breads you'd only find at a specialty store.
Just as popular as the French baguette is the impressive variety of German breads on offer.
Mr. Yamaya's top pick is "Pumpernickel," a steamed German bread. It's an authentic loaf made with 90% Hokkaido-grown rye. The pleasant aroma and slight tang of the rye, paired with its soft texture, instantly shatter the stereotype of dense, hard rye bread.
▲This bread takes over 16 hours to bake and is packed with dietary fiber. It's also delicious toasted. Half-size: ¥610.
If you time your visit to match the baking schedule, you can pick up the French bread fresh out of the oven. The secret to SWEET BERRY's lasting popularity among locals lies not only in Mr. Yamaya's warm personality, but in his genuine dedication to the craft—never cutting corners, no matter how much time and effort it takes.
●SHOP INFO
SWEET BERRY
Address: Shinsatsu BLOCK, 5-8 Atsubetsu Chuo 2-jo, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
Hours: 8:30 AM–7:00 PM (Sat until 6:00 PM)
Closed: Sundays and holidays
●Author Profile
Kotomi Tanimoto | Based in Hokkaido, Level 2 Food Analyst. My hobby is discovering new restaurants. Whether it’s rice dishes, noodles, or sweets, I don’t discriminate by genre—if something catches my eye, I’m the type to dive right in. Since I’m also an actress, I’ve been looking to apply my acting skills to my food reviews lately. I’ll be introducing lots of trendy spots and places that pique my curiosity.
