Introducing Bake Shop Hatch

Hello, travelers!

I’m Igaguri, a writer for《SaruKuma》🌰

Today I’m spotlighting
Bake Shop Hatch, tucked away in
Taimei-machi, Tamana City, Kumamoto Prefecture.

What a stylish exterior!!

But wait… what?

It’s actually run from the owner’s own residential property ＼(◎o◎)／!

There’s parking for 2 to 3 cars right out front.

And don’t worry — there’s additional parking right next door ♪

This banner flag may be the only obvious landmark.
Another clue is the coin-operated rice polisher to the left of the photo.
(Whether that really counts as a landmark is up for debate…)

Even the signage hints at the owner’s wonderful sense of style.

Even though it’s set within a private home, doesn’t it just make you want to step inside and take a peek!?

Bake Shop Hatch — Recommended Menu

I dropped by at 3:00 PM on a Tuesday (a national holiday).

(All prices exclude tax)
Salt Bread (Shio Pan) — 130 yen
Sweet Red Bean & Salted Butter (sakura bean version also available) — 140 yen
Walnut & Cream Cheese — 180 yen
Walnut Anpan (sweet bean bun) — 170 yen
Elegant Black Bean Bun — 150 yen
Adult Koppe Roll — Rum Raisin — 160 yen
Angel’s Cream Bun — 150 yen

Tamana-grown Wheat Campagne (chocolate dough with cranberry & white chocolate) — 380 yen
Multigrain Bread — 260 yen
Bacon Cheese Bread — 300 yen
Croissant (made with 100% French cultured butter) — 180 yen
Veggie-Loaded Baked Curry Bread — 190 yen
Seasonal Mushroom Gratin (limited) — 220 yen
Spicy Chorizo & Curry Focaccia — 260 yen

There’s a mix of kid-friendly favorites alongside grown-up breads that pair perfectly with a glass of wine or beer (^_-)-☆

The campagne flavor changes every month — that’s part of the fun!

And there’s even more!

Cream Sandwich Croissant — 220 yen
Stick Cheesecake — 250 yen
Rich Creamy Pudding — 200 yen
Rice Flour Chiffon Cake — 170 yen

Café au Lait — 160 yen
Fruit Juice — 110 yen

How wonderful is it to find a bakery that serves sweets and drinks too?

Freshly ground coffee — only 100 yen!

You’ll find it right beside the register.

As you walk in, the register sits straight ahead, with baked sweets to your right (and the bread display on the left).

They make wonderful souvenirs too ☆

This time, I picked up:
The #1 best-seller — Cream Bun
The #2 favorite — Sweet Red Bean & Salted Butter
Cream Sandwich Croissant
Stick Cheesecake
Rich Creamy Pudding
Rice Flour Chiffon Cake

Here’s the best-kept secret: the owner is actually a former pastry chef!!

That explains why the custard cream is in a class of its own…!

The stick cheesecake was so impressive I couldn’t believe a cheesecake of this caliber exists in this area —
I even took a bite before I could photograph it (apologies for the messy shot!)

Stuck to the entrance door are heartfelt messages from local elementary school children.
The owner is also raising kids of her own, and the bakery is genuinely treasured by the local community.

It’s such a beautiful style of working — children get to see their mother doing what she loves. As a renter myself, it almost makes me reconsider buying a home (laughs).

I love baking too, and I even hold an instructor’s certification — but preparing this many varieties of bread on your own is incredibly demanding.

Hatch uses Ako natural yeast.
(The shop’s name “Hatch” comes from the honey — “hachimitsu” — used in the dough.)

From what I know, baking just one type of bread takes at least 2 hours,
which is why every baker is an early riser!
When do they even sleep…?

And as a working mom on top of all that,
please be understanding of the two weekday closures (Monday and Thursday)
and the Sunday closure as well.

Since the shop is near Koga Neighborhood Park,
why not grab some Hatch bread and sweets and head off for a picnic (^^♪?

Frequently Asked Questions

※ Information is accurate as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.