A Taste of Kyoto at Shinshindo

If you want to enjoy bread and coffee in a quiet, distinctly Kyoto-like setting, Shinshindo is a place that gently elevates the quality of your time during a trip to Kyoto.

Shinshindo is a long-established bakery founded in Kyoto in 1913. Its founder, Hitoshi Tsuzuki, was a disciple of Kanzō Uchimura and studied the Bible alongside modern thought. With the guiding principle of “serving God and people through breadmaking,” he opened Shinshindo as more than just a bakery. Deeply versed in the French language and French literature, Tsuzuki admired authentic French bread and became the first Japanese baker to travel to Paris to study baking techniques firsthand.

After returning to Japan, he introduced German-made ovens and began producing and selling genuine French bread. At a time when Kyoto residents were drawn to the scent of Western culture, Shinshindo quickly gained support and established itself as one of the city’s representative bakeries. Today, the brand operates 12 locations across Kyoto, from the city center to areas near universities, each with its own distinct atmosphere.

In addition to freshly baked bread and made-to-order sandwiches, many locations feature cafes. Quiet moments unfold there throughout the day: students spreading out their notebooks in the morning, travelers resting their feet in the afternoon, and locals pausing during their everyday routines. Not only the taste of the bread, but also the time spent there, is part of Shinshindo’s appeal.

At Hotel Tavinos Kyoto, three varieties of Shinshindo bread are served as a light breakfast. Beginning a Kyoto morning with these breads—shaped by more than a century of history—is one of the understated pleasures of staying there.