About a 4-minute walk from Akishima Station, my partner and I visited "Yakitate Shokupan Ippondo Akishimae" by car. The shop has been around for a few years, but I never noticed it even though I often drive by. There doesn't seem to be a parking lot, so make sure to secure parking. The shop has branches in places like Kunitachi and Hachioji, and it seems to be a bread chain born in Osaka based on their website. There was one customer ahead of us, and due to the small interior, only two groups are allowed in at a time for social distancing (fitting for "Ippondo," I guess?). Despite being a shop that specializes in one kind of bread, there are various types available depending on stock, making it a tough decision. Today, I was drawn to the promotion saying, "A masterpiece where you can enjoy the rich aroma of Hokkaido cheese! Perfect pairing with wine!" and purchased a loaf of "Cheese (500 yen)"! Although it's on the pricier side for bread, being able to buy just one loaf is much appreciated. I sliced the bread as instructed by the staff, and the cheese was beautifully arranged in a swirl pattern. I started by eating it as is, and the moist and chewy texture of the bread paired well with the cheese, just as advertised. Enjoying it with red wine was a great idea! Toasting it enhances the flavor of the cheese even more. I later found an article online from the company's CEO saying to eat it starting from the middle after toasting, but I ended up starting from the edges (laughs). Nice bread, though!

The management has changed and the lineup has been reduced. Compared to before, the moistness and fine texture are gone, or rather there is a slight roughness in the taste... The flavor has decreased and it's disappointing. Note: The restaurant is named "Shiomachi" but it is not located in front of the station. If you set your navigation to the Shiomachi City Welfare Center Aipoku, you will find it nearby.

The other day, my second daughter and I went cycling and made a detour. I always noticed it while passing by, so I bought some raisin bread (lol). It's soft and very delicious, you'll get addicted to it! (≧∇≦)

Recently, due to family influence, I have been eating more bread than before. I decided to visit "Ippondo," a bakery that specializes in high-quality bread, with a focus on toast bread. This time, I visited the store in front of Akishima Station for the first time. When I arrived at the store, there were about 5 people lined up inside. As I entered the store, I was greeted by a variety of freshly baked bread, which made me feel happy. The bread available varies depending on the time, with classics like raisin bread and cheese bread, as well as unique options like lemon bread (with lemon peel inside), walnut paste bread, orange chocolate bread, and low-sugar bread. In particular, the orange chocolate and low-sugar bread are limited to certain days of the week and are not available on weekends, which is a bit disappointing. I bought a plain bread and ate it in the car immediately, and it was delicious with the natural sweetness of the wheat and the pleasant aroma of butter. I would definitely like to try the limited edition bread next time.

On Sunday, on the way to drop off my wife for work, the car in front happened to stop at a shop with an orange sign. I asked my wife what it was, and she said it was a newly opened bakery that had a pre-opening recently. I was a bit curious, so I decided to buy something on the way back. There were two customers ahead of me. The cashier was a duo of an elderly lady and a middle-aged woman. The elderly lady seemed inexperienced and struggled at the register. It took a bit of time as I had to be guided through the process. I entered the shop around 9:10 am and even though the products were on the shelves, I left the shop at 9:30 am due to the time spent at the register and packaging. If you're impatient, this might not be the best place for you. A bread specialty shop is not common in Tama, so it was a new experience for me. I bought a raisin bread for 360 yen (tax included) and a plain bread for 260 yen (tax included) since those were the only options available. They were freshly baked. The slightly sweet dough was soft and delicious, but it didn't quite suit my taste. The atmosphere was warm and I felt like once the senior staff got more accustomed, it would become a cozy and friendly bakery. The cost performance was reasonable, and the products matched the price well. It might be strange to compare, but it was tastier than Yamazaki or Pasco. I'm curious about the cheese bread, so I'd like to go back someday. The store is small and feels crowded with 5-6 people inside. The staff will handpick the products and pack them for you. There is also a peek window where you can see the bread being made. It might be enjoyable for children or families. I thought there were already reviews written, but since there weren't, I only took a few photos. I'll make sure to take more pictures of the store and surroundings next time.