Liberty

As soon as it arrives on the shelves fresh from the oven, the signature raisin bread at Yanaka bakery Liberty immediately draws attention. Pulling apart the chewy dough reveals a dense bounty of plump, juicy raisins threatening to spill out, drawing a steady stream of shoppers from early morning. Slicing a whole loaf to share with family or friends makes an ideal breakfast, and gently warming it brings out an enticing toasty aroma.

Just as popular over the years is the shop's anpan, which feels remarkably heavy the moment you lift it with the bakery tongs. Encased in a thin layer of dough, the dense filling of smooth koshian sweet red bean paste has a clean, gentle sweetness that brings satisfying comfort in every bite. The shelves also feature nostalgic sweet pastries and baked treats, from custard-filled rabbit buns and UFO bread to cream-stuffed chocolate coronets and crisp rusks.

For savory options and mealtime choices, hearty items like sauce-soaked thick-cut katsu cutlet sandwiches, rustic pizza breads, and corned beef buns make picking out lunch just as enjoyable. The shop is exclusively for takeout, and payment is cash only. Opening at 7:00 a.m., it is a convenient stop at the start of a walk through the Yanesen neighborhood or during a stroll before lunch to pick up a few favorites.