Bethlehem

Lined across the display shelves are nostalgic savory breads tossed in savory sauce, from yakisoba and croquette buns to hearty katsu sandwiches. Located in Suehiro, Kawaguchi, Bethlehem is the kind of neighborhood bakery where familiar, comforting classics are easy to pick up. With many items priced around the 100- to 200-yen range, the shop sees a steady stream of locals picking up bundles of baked goods for breakfast or lunch.

The selection of generously filled savory buns and sandwiches is especially varied. Offerings include tender hirekatsu (pork fillet cutlet) sandwiched in moist sliced bread, yakisoba pan where the savory noodles settle naturally into the soft roll, and classic koppepan buns filled with egg salad or potato salad, all made for straightforward, satisfying eating. For a heartier meal, diners can also reach for crisp fried curry bread or buns stuffed with seasoned karaage fried chicken.

Those with a sweet tooth will find time-honored options like chocolate coronets, cream buns, unpretentious melonpan, and apple pies. Loaves of everyday sliced bread are also on hand for the breakfast table, lending the bakery an unassuming charm that suits both a casual afternoon treat and daily staples.

Bethlehem opens early at 7:00 and operates purely as a takeout shop, with no dine-in seating. Popular sandwiches and savory options can sell out by around noon, thinning the selection, so arriving earlier in the morning is wise if you want the fullest variety. Payment is cash only, and 1 dedicated parking spaces are provided near the storefront.