iwasaki bakery

In the lounge area of Biyu no Yado, I came across a book, “The Nurse and The Baker” and the Japanese title “Sekai ichi no Pan” (The best bread in the world)

This story was about a fourth generation baker,  Iwasaki Koyata

(His great grandfather started the bakery in 1860!)

In the 1930s, turberculosis was taking over areas of Japan

Many Canadians came to Japan to help treat and take care of these patients.

A Canadian nurse, Ms Powell was very strict and seemed kinda scary 

One day she asked Mr Iwasaki to come to her house

He was nervous because she was so strict but she served him Chelsea buns, which I think might be similar to a cinnamon roll

He ate a piece and thought it was the most delicious thing he ever ate

He asked Ms Powell to tell him the recipe

And then began his mission to recreate the buns

After many tries, Ms Powell finally approved of his version

Mr Iwasaki’s Chelsea buns are still made today.

This story was so heartwarming!

When we were in Obuse, we tried to purchase some Chelsea buns to try.

Unfortunately Mr Iwasaki passed away in 2011 and the family members running the bakery have not been feeling well, so they do not operate on a set schedule, so we were not able to try this.

We hope the next time we are in this area we will get a chance to try this.

Iwasaki Bakery

620-1 Obuse-cho

Kamitakai, Nagano

Closed Wednesdays*check before going

Hours: 10:00-17:00