About Odoru Companio

Hello travelers! This is Aikero, writer for Sarukuma.

Today I’m excited to introduce a charming bakery tucked away in Nishihara Village, Aso District:
Odoru Companio (The Dancing Companion).
Opened in March 2024, this delightful bakery is run by a baker who trained in Austria, and the shelves are filled with unusual European-style breads you won’t easily find elsewhere in Japan!
The Nishihara Village area is actually a hidden paradise for bread lovers, with several wonderful bakeries within easy reach. If you’re a bread enthusiast, why not turn it into a bakery-hopping adventure? At the end of this article, I’ve linked some other nearby bakery reviews to help you plan your tour!
Look at this adorable snail signboard — its shell is shaped like a pretzel!
I absolutely love the gentle “Drive Safely” message tucked underneath. It’s such a sweet touch.
As a passionate bread lover, I’ve been eyeing this place every time I drove past, so I was bursting with excitement to finally visit!
The shop is easy to access whether you’re coming from Mt. Aso or the Nishihara Village direction. You can turn in from either side.
Once you turn at the snail signboard, you’ll spot a larger sign — just keep going straight.Once you see this sign, you’ve arrived!
Google Maps will get you there easily, but even without navigation, the route is straightforward and well-marked.
Parking is available in row “B” right in front of the shop, and
any spot marked with the shop’s name on the parking blocks is also free to use.
At the entrance, there’s always a thoughtful daily message from the owner.
It’s fun to see what little words of wisdom await you each visit!
Step inside and you’re greeted by this charming interior! The checkered floor is absolutely adorable.

Let me introduce some of the unique breads here that you won’t see at typical Japanese bakeries.
• Brezel — ¥220

Yes, that’s “Brezel” with a B — the authentic Austrian/German spelling, not the more familiar “pretzel”!
It’s the first time I’ve seen pretzels displayed this elegantly — so stylish and Instagram-worthy!

Above the display, you’ll notice writing in German.
The owner trained as a baker in Austria, which explains the wonderfully European feel of the shop, from the pastries to the little decorative touches throughout.
• Minamino Napoleon — Half ¥160 / Whole ¥320

A gorgeous baguette made with locally sourced Minaminokaori wheat from Tamana, Kumamoto.
• Kinako Sugar Brezel — ¥250
• Sugar Brezel — ¥250
• Pain au Chocolat — ¥310
• Melon Pan — ¥240
• Speck!! — ¥320

“Speck” is the German word for bacon.
This one is a flaky croissant filled with savory bacon — utterly irresistible.
• Croissant Yoshi — ¥280

This beautifully golden, fragrant croissant is made using techniques the owner mastered during their Austrian training.
• Sweet & Salty! — ¥240
• Sweet Potato & Kumquat Bread — ¥250
• Apple Curry Pan — ¥280

A delightfully chewy apple-infused dough wrapped around savory keema curry — a curry pan with a creative Japanese-European twist!
On the opposite shelf, beautifully arranged crispy rusks await!
There’s even a tasting corner near the register where you can sample the rusks before buying.
I tried the salt and olive flavors — wonderfully crispy with the pure flavor of wheat shining through. Simple, but absolutely delicious!
• Rauch Juice — ¥240

From a long-established Austrian beverage maker.
These are rich, premium fruit juices with no preservatives or artificial coloring — a real taste of Austria!
I’m tempted to buy one next time, though I’m a little worried my kids might get hooked on them, ha!

Odoru Companio Recommended Menu Items

I picked up the Kinako Sugar Brezel, classic Brezel, Speck!!, Pain au Chocolat, and Apple Curry Pan to take home and try!
The Brezel’s distinctive twisted shape is undeniably charming.
The salt sprinkled on top is imported directly from Austria.
Apparently, the authentic way to enjoy it is to brush off the salt to your preferred taste before eating — true Austrian style!A perfectly balanced saltiness with a wonderfully chewy texture.
It’s beautifully simple, letting the natural aromas and flavors of the ingredients shine through. So delicious!
My son went straight for the Kinako Sugar Brezel.
This one has a flaky, pastry-like texture — completely different from the classic Brezel, and equally delicious in its own way.
As you can see, hands and faces end up covered in kinako (roasted soybean flour) — but that’s all part of the fun!
The Pain au Chocolat features a wonderfully crisp, flaky pastry wrapped around rich French chocolate.
My daughter declared, “Please buy this for me again!” — definitely a new family favorite.

The Speck!! offers the savory aroma of cheese paired beautifully with the umami of bacon — a match made in heaven!
My son grabbed half of mine, but I can confirm it would also pair wonderfully with a glass of wine or beer.
From inside the shop, you can watch the owner at work in the kitchen, crafting each loaf by hand. (Photo permission was kindly granted.)
I had a brief chat with the owner, who was wonderfully warm and friendly!

A heads-up for travelers: Odoru Companio often sells out by early afternoon on weekends and holidays.
If you want the full selection, I highly recommend visiting in the morning!

[8pan — Nishihara Village, Aso District] Sister bakery to BLUELEAF in Ueki! Showcasing Nishihara’s local ingredients with creative breads from a trained pastry chef!

[Keyaki Kobo] Long-loved bakery: Try the Aji Pan and Whole Sweet Potato Bread! (Nishihara Village, Aso District)

[harepan] Every Friday, head to Aso! A house full of delicious breads (Futada, Nishihara Village, Aso District)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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