Cakes to Try in Nagano Prefecture! 10 Recommended Picks by Area, Including Matsumoto City

Photograph:玉かずら

This Western confectionery shop, located near Matsumoto Station, is popular for its cream puffs.

The interior has large glass windows and an open feel, with an elegant atmosphere like a hotel lounge. It also has a fully equipped eat-in space with table seating.

Photograph:カフェモカ男

The signature "Choux Parisien" is filled with plenty of special custard inside a cookie choux pastry shell.

The custard cream is rich and has a strong egg flavor. It has a smooth mouthfeel, and they say it wraps you in a feeling of happiness when you eat it.

Photograph:大食い熊猫

The "cake set" is a good value menu that lets you order a combo of 1 cake of your choice and 1 drink.

The strawberry shortcake is round, and it is said to have a nice balance of soft sponge cake and cream that is not too heavy.

Photograph:north-fox

A cafeteria attached to The Park Lodge Kamikochi. It is a 5-minute walk from Kamikochi Bus Terminal, near Kappabashi (Kappa Bridge).

The interior is marked by a striking object designed to look like an apple tree. From the table seats, you can look out over the Azusagawa (Azusa River) and enjoy a relaxing time.

Photograph:maiharu0110

The ever-popular "apple pie" uses fully ripened Fuji apples from Kita-Shinshu (northern Shinshu). They do not use any cinnamon or flavoring at all.

The pie is packed with apples inside. Its just-right sweetness is said to soothe a tired body.

Photograph:はらぺこまり

The popular Kamikochi seinyu (fresh milk) soft serve also comes in an apple flavor.

The "Gokujo no Kamikochi ringo soft serve" is well reviewed for its clear apple flavor and great taste.

Photograph:東行晋作

This is the lobby lounge on the first floor of Kamikochi Teikoku Hotel, located between Kappabashi and Taishoike.

The interior has the warmth of wood and blends in with the nature of Kamikochi. On colder days, you can warm up by the central fireplace.

Photograph:moroseijin

The hotel’s original cakes are popular. The "Cake Set" comes with tea or coffee.

The "Camembert Cheesecake" is said to pair perfectly with sweet tart blueberry jam.

Photograph:なまむぅ

The "Afternoon Tea Set," where you can enjoy light items like cake and sandwiches, is limited to 15 servings a day.

The quality of every item is high, and even the small portions are said to be satisfying enough for Manzoku. The coffee has a nice balance of acidity and bitterness, so it pairs well with the cake.

Photograph:foxlog

A 6-minute walk from Zenkōjishita Station. This shop offers cakes and fresh sweets made with seasonal fruit and ingredients from Nagano Prefecture.

Inside, there is a miniature Eiffel Tower, and the place is full of retro charm. You can relax and take your time at the table seats.

Photograph:hiro.dean

The Basque cheesecake is made with simple ingredients like plenty of cheese and eggs, along with fresh cream and sugar.

It is popular for its nicely browned outside and rich, creamy center that puts people in a happy mood.

Photograph:ed0ca919090

They offer a wide variety of cakes, along with a full cafe menu that includes coffee and tea.

The “Eclair Cafe” is an eclair inspired by tiramisu. The almonds add a nice toasted aroma, and the chocolate cream is mildly sweet, making it easy to enjoy.

Photograph:moeta_

This tea and cake specialty shop is run by Sakurai Kanseido, which makes and sells chestnut sweets in Obuse-machi (the town of Obuse). It is a 4-minute walk from Obuse Station.

The cafe space has the elegant feel of a Western-style mansion. You can enjoy a relaxing moment while listening to the classical music playing inside.

Photograph:k-taro55

The cakes lined up in the showcase are made in the workshop next door.

The specialty here is the "Mont Blanc," made with plenty of chestnuts from Obuse. The cream has a chestnut flavor that is not too sweet, giving it a more grown-up taste.

Photograph:プリンセスマイラー

There are always more than 20 kinds of black tea available. Since it is served in pots, if several people order different kinds, they can compare and enjoy tasting them.

They say the Uva tea is rich and fairly astringent, so it goes great with sweet cakes.

Photograph:あばたーその②

This French pastry shop is a 7-minute walk from Obuse Station on the Nagano Dentetsu Line.

There are 10 seats in total in the eat-in space, with table and counter seating, and stylish paintings line the walls.

Photograph:いりぴぃ

They offer a wide lineup of French pastries, including baked sweets, cakes, and bread.

The "canelé" has a firmly baked outer surface, while the inside is chewy and moist. The liquor is kept subtle, and a gentle sweetness spreads across the palate.

Photograph:いりぴぃ

They also offer sweets made generously with local Nagano fruits.

The “Gâteau Basque” uses Obuse-san (from Obuse) Cherry Kiss cherries. Their bright acidity and strong aroma make them a great match for French pastries.

Photograph:外向傾

A 6-minute walk from Kita-Iiyama Station, this Western-style confectionery shop is popular for its cakes and baked sweets.

The attached cafe space has a casual and cozy atmosphere. There is plenty of room at the table seats, so you can spend a relaxing time.

They always have more than 30 kinds of cakes available. Their most popular item, the shortcake, uses eggs delivered directly from Aoyama Yokeijo (Aoyama Poultry Farm) in Ueda City.

The fluffy, slightly sweet sponge cake goes well with the fresh cream, which has just the right amount of sweetness.

Photograph:コウジオ

The most popular item on the cafe menu is the parfait, made with plenty of fruit from Nagano, the local area.

The "Momo Waffle Parfait" is topped with a whole seasonal peach. The combination of a warm waffle and cold gelato is said to be just right.

Photograph:ジョビちゃん

A 9-minute walk from Nakakubo Station. This shop is popular for Japanese and Western sweets made with Shinshu Ina-guri (chestnuts from Ina, Shinshu).

Shinshu Sato no Kabo has an attached cafe area called Satonoka CAFE. On clear days, you can see the Chuo Alps and the Minami Alps from the terrace.

Photograph:ろーしminko05

The attached cafe serves regular sweets made with kuri (chestnuts), along with original seasonal menu items.

The cafe-only "freshly made Mont Blanc" is a hugely popular menu item available only in autumn. The thread-like Mont Blanc cream melts in your mouth and gently falls apart, which is said to be amazing.

Photograph:ぽまーず

The cake set is a good value menu that gives you a discount when you order one cake from the display case together with a drink of your choice.

The "Basque cheesecake" is said to have a rich cream cheese flavor and pair perfectly with coffee.

Photograph:ayana_gourmet

This is the atelier and patisserie of Sadaharu Aoki, who is based in Paris, France.

The interior blends with the nature of Karuizawa (a mountain resort town) and has the warmth of wood. You can enjoy the items you choose at the table seating in the attached cafe space.

Photograph:にゃーくま3

The showcase is lined with colorful sweets made with seasonal fruits.

The "Mont Blanc Obuse," made with fresh cream, tart, and Mont Blanc cream using chestnuts from Obuse, is a Karuizawa-only menu item. It is said to have a nice chestnut flavor and taste great.

Photograph:お肉モンスター

In addition to hot coffee and tea and cold drinks, they also serve alcohol such as Champagne and beer.

The Karuizawa-limited "Blueberry no Fromage Tart" is said to have an excellent combination of mildly sweet cream cheese and sweet blueberries.

Photograph:わたかつ

A 3-minute walk from Nakagomi Station. This is a pastry specialty shop selling sweets such as cakes and baked goods.

The eat-in space has a luxurious feel. At the adjoining cafe, you can enjoy original menu items and the sweets you purchased.

Photograph:☆バッカス☆

They offer a wide variety of cakes. The display case is lined with all kinds of sweets, including chocolates, baked goods, and gelato.

The "Mushiguri no Paripari Mont Blanc" is said to be popular for its tart wrapped in puff pastry and its cream, which has a rich chestnut flavor and tastes great.

Photograph:kaede688

Not only cakes but also its original cafe menu is extensive.

The “Parfait Melon” comes packed with chunky pieces of melon, and lets you enjoy all kinds of sweets at once, including cream, sorbet, gelato, and jelly.