I am Dr. Shinichi Fujisaki, the director of BODYPIT KYOTO. Today is my 42nd birthday. My sister bought me a birthday cake. It's nice to be celebrated no matter how old you get. The cake was delicious with strawberry cream. Fluffy. It was very tasty. Thank you very much.

I visited this sweets shop that I used to frequent a lot when I was a child to buy some gifts for my relatives. Baked cheesecake for 454 yen and matcha cake for 476 yen. The cakes have a traditional taste, quite sweet but not overly so, very easy to eat. This shop is considered quite established in Kyoto and is convenient for buying gifts. I would like to visit again.

Located about a 5-minute walk from the famous Kinkaku-ji Temple along Nishioji Street, this long-established Western confectionery shop has its main store in Shimogamo. While it may not be widely known outside of Kyoto, it has built a strong presence within the city. It is common to see businesses like this that choose not to expand beyond the prefecture when they have already established a good share of the market in Kyoto. This time, I bought some baked goods that last a while as a gift for my in-laws and also picked up some treats for my family at home. My in-laws love baked goods and are big fans of Kyoto, so they were delighted by the historical charm of this place. My partner also mentioned that this shop has always had a slightly higher-class image compared to the local confectionery shops. The baked cheesecake we got for home was rich and tangy with a perfect balance of cheese and tart sweetness that we loved. The fully ripe cheesecake had a fluffy outer layer and a moist, almost mousse-like interior that was bursting with the flavors of cheese and milk. The apple pie had Aomori-grown Akane apples inside, with a strong, sweet-tart flavor that wasn't overpowered by spices like cinnamon. The pie held its shape well, was soft, and the crust was crispy without being too hard. The tart and pie crusts weren't overly crunchy but had a softer texture, which seems to be preferred in Kyoto, where soft textures are often favored in food. This makes them great as gifts that won't go out of style, loved by people of all ages and genders, and can be presented without any offense. For me, when it comes to sophisticated gifts in Kyoto, you can't go wrong with Western confections from Baikal and traditional Japanese sweets from Toraya.

Today was my granddaughter's 1st birthday. We had a celebration at home, took some photos, and had sushi and roast beef for dinner. We finished with this cake, a classic strawberry shortcake size 5 for 3,834 yen. It was loaded with strawberries and came with blueberries on top, a true classic. The cream was not too sweet, with a more adult taste. The balance was just right, complementing the tartness of the strawberries well. The cake had two layers with strawberries and cream, a proper strawberry shortcake. My granddaughter is still too young to eat it this year, but maybe next year. I think we'll go with this cake again next year. We usually used to get cakes from Fleurs for my son and daughter's birthdays, but this time we went with the classic shortcake due to availability. This cake definitely has a reliable quality.

I remember having a normal shortcake and a pistachio cake. The pistachio cake was sweeter than the normal one, but not overly sweet. It had been a while since I had a regular shortcake. The ideal shortcake is...

There is an old Western confectionery shop called "Baikal". The shop has parking spaces which is convenient. Their signature dish is the apple pie made with Aomori's red apples. It is delicious. The fresh cream roll cake is also delicious with its combination of fresh cream and custard cream. They have a variety of other cakes including shortcakes. Their baked goods like yogurt tart and jellies are also good. Thank you for the meal.

When I returned to Tokyo, my daughter's birthday was approaching, and since she may be getting married next year, I wanted to give her a final celebration. I went to buy a cake at Daimaru, where I also bought pearl earrings as a gift and Paul Bocuse's diced roast beef from the basement. In the evening, I met up with my daughter and we visited this shop. We decided to share 4 types of cakes among the three of us. Here is what we chose: - Ruby (432 yen): A cake with raspberries and white chocolate, the refreshing acidity of the raspberries was nice. - White Chocolate Pistachio (432 yen): A mousse cake with white chocolate, pistachio cream, and strawberry jelly, the smooth texture and slight sweetness were delicious. - Hojicha Chocolate (453 yen): A rich and smooth cake with a good hojicha aroma. - Chef's Apple Cake (303 yen): Tastes like apple pie, with Baumkuchen and pie dough sandwiched, slightly sweet and quite tasty. We enjoyed them with Marco Polo tea. In today's world where cakes are often not very sweet, I, a person born in the Showa era, might find slightly sweet cakes delicious. Nevertheless, these cakes were a hit. 3.8

Visited on Sunday afternoon. [Atmosphere] A long-established cake shop with a wide range of baked goods, from cookies to fresh cakes. [Sweets] Let me introduce the recommended cakes I purchased. ■ Jasmine Chocolat (432 yen) A jasmine almond sponge cake with ganache filling and mousse on top. The refreshing jasmine aroma and brandy-infused sponge cake create a sophisticated taste. ■ Chestnut Mont Blanc (454 yen) A combination of rich chestnut cream and light whipped cream, with a balanced sweetness that is perfect for adults. ■ Apple Cake A hearty cake with chunks of apple, a crispy pie crust, and a fluffy cake base that complement each other perfectly. Enjoyed delicious cakes and would like to visit again.

Located next to the Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, this confectionery shop is also known as "BAIKAL." Established in 1955, it is considered a long-standing establishment in the world of Western-style sweets. The shop offers a wide variety of confections (both raw and baked). One of their specialties is the Financier (Sesame). This Financier is made with plenty of sesame, adding a fragrant and crunchy texture to the buttery flavor. It has a satisfying volume and texture. The ingredients include chicken eggs, butter, sugar, flour, almond powder, honey, hazelnut powder, sesame, and flavorings.

(2015. January) Once you pass the age of 50, is a birthday something to celebrate? Rather, it feels like just getting older and the fear of aging increases. However, deep down, I do hope for some kind of celebration on my birthday, so I have mixed feelings as I approach this day. On this day, my birthday, which comes once a year (obviously), I thought it would pass by quietly with work and nothing special. But then, my daughter surprised me by buying a cake that our whole family loves. It was a smaller version of a Fleur cake, with a message attached. It brought a tear to my eye. Thank you, thank you. I enjoyed it, with plenty of fruits like strawberries, peaches, oranges, and blueberries on a soft and fluffy sponge filled with custard and more fruits. Not too sweet, with the tartness of the fruits making it delicious. It was a nice surprise at the end of the day. (2014. August) It was my wife's birthday, and I bought a cake from Hirakawa Fuzuki-do to bring home. Surprisingly, my daughter, who commutes by car for work, also passed by and remembered this place, so she bought a whole cake and brought it home. It was a coincidence, but it seems we all think alike. So, we decided to have a cake party and enjoyed it. The cake had oranges, white peaches, yellow peaches, blueberries, kiwi, and strawberries on top. Under the whipped cream was a fluffy sponge with custard and fruits sandwiched in between. There was also a message cookie on top (handwritten in chocolate). The whipped cream was slightly sweet and rich, the sponge was light, and the custard was delicious. The cookie was also quite tasty. My wife had tears of joy in her eyes. Celebrations wouldn't be complete without a cake from Baikal, right? This shop, I've bought from many times but haven't reviewed before because I always went to the main store in Shimogamo. Baikal cakes are always delicious.

It is said to be a famous shop since ancient times, so I bought a cream puff on my way back from Hatano Tenmangu Shrine's New Year's visit. I only bought cream puffs, which my brother likes. (I looked at other products, but they were in the high-end price range.) As I left the shop, the staff saw me off. I like this kind of thing. The staff are well trained. I brought it for New Year's greetings and decided to have it. Each cream puff was individually wrapped and felt heavy. I took it out of the bag and faced the cream puff. The dough was elegantly sprinkled with powdered sugar, and when I looked inside from the cut, there was plenty of custard cream, and I could see the vanilla beans in the cream. When I tried it, the cream was rich yet refreshing, and the sweetness was just right. The outer dough was also good with a moderate thickness and firmness. I would like to eat this cream puff again if I have the chance.

I visited the famous bakery Baikal known for its cakes! Not to buy cakes, but bread (*´∀`*) They also sell authentic bread here. So, I had to check it out! I asked if it was okay to take photos at such a big store, and surprisingly it was allowed! They have a special Agapan series: - Fluffy Twist @105 - Crispy Curry Bread @147 - Moist Red Bean Donut @126 - Chewy Kinako Donut (available only on full moon days) And more options like: - Chestnut and Chocolate Bread @105 - Cranberry Fromage Bread @105 - Bacon Epi Bread @147 - Cherry Blossom Red Bean Bun @105 - Pastry Chef's Cream Bread @168 - Five Bean Bread @126 - Cinnamon Ball Bread @105 - Red Bean Bun @147 - Smoked Salmon and White Sauce Pizza @336 - Long Cream Roll @210 - Variety Sandwich @315 Of course, cakes are the main attraction, with a variety of pastries displayed in the showcase. One notable cake is the Masedoine priced at 1890 yen, made with a whole pineapple as the base. It has a generous fruit topping and is considered a healthier option compared to regular cakes. It tends to sell out quickly due to its popularity. I tried the Pastry Chef's Cream Bread and it was exactly as I expected - like a cream puff in bread form. It was delicious and I would definitely go back for more. I also tried the seasonal Cherry Blossom Red Bean Bun and the Red Bean Donut, both of which were delicate and flavorful. The packaging was also thoughtful and well-done. It's interesting to see bakeries selling both cakes and bread. In my experience, cream puffs sold at cake shops are exceptionally tasty! I'll have to remember to check out cake shops as well, not just bakeries. Thank you for the delicious treats!

In May 2012, I visited this bakery by bicycle and the slope of Nishioji was indeed steep. I arrived a little after 11 am and was already sweating quite a bit (laughs). This bakery mainly offers cakes and sweets. While they don't have a wide variety of bread, they do have some. They offer sweet bread, deli items, and hard bread as well. Everything seemed like standard items, nothing too fancy, but they even had sandwiches available. It's an all-around shop where you can buy both cakes and bread, and there were many customers. Bacon Potato Cheese Bread for 189 yen ☆3.0. The ingredients were very delicious. The potato had just the right amount of saltiness, and it paired perfectly with the cream cheese. However, even though it was supposed to have bacon in it, I couldn't really taste it. The bread itself was soft and didn't overpower the filling. It's not a shop I would specifically come to buy bread from, but it's convenient to buy bread while getting cakes. The prices were reasonable. The curry bread seems to be popular, so I would like to try that next time.

I decided to walk from Kinkaku-ji Temple to Kitano Hakubaicho Station and along the way, I stumbled upon a pastry shop called BAIKAL. Feeling a bit peckish, I was drawn into the bright and inviting store. Inside, there were many female staff working efficiently. I thought it was a cake shop, but they also sold bread, so I tried their freshly baked curry bun, an donut, and a moist Gion Ishidatami pastry in chocolate and matcha flavors. The curry bun had a crispy exterior and a not-too-spicy curry filling inside, which was perfect for my child as well. The donut had sweet red bean paste inside and a soft, not too greasy texture. It was delicious. As for the Gion Ishidatami pastry, the chocolate flavor was rich and decadent with a strong cocoa aroma. It is made using the first Japanese organic cocoa beans of the Arriba variety from Ecuador. The matcha flavor was also rich with a subtle sweetness and a great matcha taste, complemented by the red bean inside. I only bought one of each as it was my first time trying them, but I wish I had bought more because they were unexpectedly delicious.

This is the 34th installment of a series where I walk around trying to find the most delicious Baumkuchen in the vicinity of Kyoto. The location is near Kinkaku-ji Temple along Nishioji Street. If you head north on Nishioji Street, past Hirano Shrine, and continue straight after turning slightly right, you will see it on your left. The parking lot is located on the south side of the store. Turning right to enter the parking lot can be a bit difficult, almost impossible, due to the lack of clear markings and the awkward relationship with the sidewalk. Please be careful. When you park and try to enter the store, the staff will already be waiting with the door open, giving you a pleasant greeting. This kind of thoughtfulness is very much appreciated. Inside the store, various sweets and bread are displayed, making it a visually pleasing sight. There is also a Fair Trade sign, showing that they are conscious of being a socially responsible business, which left a good impression on me. We purchased the Direct Flame Baked Baumkuchen (1,260 yen). The inner layers are quite rich and slightly uneven. The outer layer has uneven thickness of sugar fondant. Although the ingredients list mentions apricot, I couldn't really taste it. The texture of the dough is firm yet chewy, without being dry. The sweetness is on the mild side. The fondant is slightly dry, which, when eaten with the firm dough, creates an interesting texture of dryness and firmness. Personally, I used to think that I didn't like firm Baumkuchen much, but this one changed my mind. Overall, I believe this Baumkuchen ranks high among the classic firm-style ones. The service is also good, making shopping a pleasant experience. If this level of service is available at other branch stores, I would like to visit them as well. I will definitely buy the same Baumkuchen again.

My husband bought me a cake for White Day, and it was a Baikal cake! I love Baikal cakes. Today, for White Day, it was a white chocolate and strawberry mousse cake. It even had a message written on a cookie. It was delicious. Thank you, husband. This cake shop I found is by far the most reliable and delicious. Whenever I go there, I know I will find a delicious cake. They are open late, and they can quickly prepare a whole cake for you. The staff is also very kind and always smiling. Whenever we buy a cake, we always have this exchange: "Which cake should we get?" "Let's get a Baikal." "It's always so delicious." I'm sure we will continue to do so in the future.

When I was little, my birthday cake always came from here. We weren't particularly well-off, so I remember being happy to have cake a few times a year (like for my parents' birthdays). Recently, I asked my mom why we always got cakes from Baikal, and she just said, "Because it was close by." It was such a simple answer that I couldn't help but laugh. Today (8/31) is my wife's birthday, so I went to Baikal to buy a cake with those nostalgic feelings in mind! Maybe I've been brainwashed by the taste of their cakes since I've been eating them for so long, but Baikal's cakes just feel right to me. There are other delicious cakes out there, but Baikal's cakes are the most comforting to me. The staff at the shop are also very friendly, so I think it's just a good shop overall. Even though my family and I have moved away from the Kinkakuji area, I will try to come here as much as possible. I hope they continue to do well.

I am a repeat customer of the rusk and campagne bread here. The rusk here is so delicious that it completely changes the concept of rusk! It's not like the typical rusk with sugar only on the surface, making it dry and taking away the moisture from your mouth. Instead, it's crispy and the bread is infused with flavor, spreading the gentle taste of brown sugar in your mouth. It's not an overpowering sweetness, but rather a nice change from regular rusk. I can't help but keep reaching for more! It's the most delicious rusk I've ever had! I brought some to my sister in Ibaraki, and she became a repeat customer as well. She loved it so much that she asked me to buy 15 bags for her because of its amazing taste and long shelf life. The price used to be around 300 yen for a slightly larger size, but they recently introduced a smaller size at a more affordable price, considering those who hesitate to spend 300 yen on rusk. When my sister asked for a large quantity, it disappeared quickly once we started eating it (laughs). The campagne bread is also a hidden gem, with a crispy outer layer providing a satisfying crunch and a fragrant aroma. The inside is soft like sandwich bread, with a slightly chewy texture. I usually slice the campagne bread to about 1.5 cm thick and make sandwiches with it. In the evening, I top it with camembert or washed-rind cheese and enjoy it as a snack with wine. It's incredibly delicious! When I brought cheese, baguette, and campagne bread to a friend's home party, everyone raved about how delicious the bread was and how blissful they felt (laughs). It pairs perfectly with cheese and red wine! Changing the toppings might make it a perfect accompaniment for different types of alcohol. I always wish there was a bakery like this near my home. I also tried the curry bread mentioned in this review. When I went, there were only 5 left around 3:40 pm. It was really delicious. I was surprised by how good this curry bread was. The outer crust was crispy, but the inside bread was softer than I expected, giving it a new and unique texture for a curry bread. I don't usually eat fried foods, but I didn't feel any discomfort or heaviness after eating it. Both the rusk and the curry bread are the most delicious I've ever had, and I confidently recommend them. I was hesitating whether to buy the red bean paste bun, but the staff kindly offered to cut a sample for me to try, and I ended up buying it because it was surprisingly delicious! I visited Baikal about two years ago, and the bread has changed drastically and become much more delicious in recent years.

Kyoto's long-established Western confectionery shop. They also have a branch in Kuzuhaya Nara. I have had their cakes a few times in the past. Recently, I noticed that many reviewers were giving high ratings to their curry bread, so I couldn't resist and decided to go back (bitter smile). In the past, I wrote a review here: [link provided]. Ignoring the bustling crowd of cherry blossom viewers at Hirano Shrine, I headed north on Nishioji Street towards the shop near Kinkaku-ji. I skipped the delicious-looking cakes in the showcase this time and went straight to the bread corner. The rumored curry bread is ready by 2:30 PM. It had been over an hour, but there were still plenty available - luckily not sold out! I purchased several types of bread and went to the register. They carefully wrap each item. Truly a cake shop!! The staff's friendliness is also very good, and their smiles are lovely. On the way out, they opened the door for me and saw me off. Unexpectedly, I left the shop feeling good. - Curry Bread (147 yen): A highly talked-about item with over 20 reviews in the past two weeks! I bought two, one to eat warm and the other to have later in the evening. When warm, you can taste the crispy outer texture and the soft donut-like texture inside, which is delicious. The curry isn't too spicy, so even children would enjoy it! When it cools down, the texture remains the same without the oil becoming greasy or smelling rancid. It was fine to eat without reheating. - Red Bean Donut (126 yen): Another highly rated item! The amount of red bean filling is modest, but the soft texture is enjoyable, which may actually be better. - Spring Fluffy Melon Bread (147 yen): When it says "limited time" on the sign, I can't help but buy it. A sakura-colored, spring-like item. The taste is just like melon bread (laughs). I can't guarantee it, but I might say, "The curry bread and red bean donut here are cheap and delicious!" The service attitude is also fantastic. You really don't need to resort to any underhanded tactics.

I really wanted to eat cake, so I asked my husband to buy some on his way home from work. He bought a tart for me because I like tarts, but the crust was too soft and the cream tasted like plant-based cream. Even though he bought it for me, it wasn't quite to my liking. Maybe their baked goods are good, but the cake was just okay for me. The fact that they are always open and open late could be a good thing though.