#Japan #Karuizawa #Sawamura Bakery #Wood-fired Oven

Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura's New Venture

Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura, a beloved name since its debut in Karuizawa in 2009, is expanding its culinary horizons. With a commitment to high-quality ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship, the establishment has grown into a network of ten locations across Karuizawa, Tokyo, and Nagoya. In a bold move, they are opening a new bakery workshop in Old Karuizawa this summer, equipped with a wood-fired oven and an in-house milling machine. This venture aims to reinforce their relationship with the fundamental elements of bread-making: fire and flour.

A Return to Basics

The focus on immersive ingredient preparation, particularly the baking process, underscores the brand's dedication to quality. The new facility will debut its offerings on July 1, 2025. This endeavor is more than just an expansion; it's a heartfelt return to the roots of bread-making. By utilizing traditional wood-fired techniques, Sawamura's skilled bakers will once again engage with the elemental processes that shape their products.

Masterful Craftsmanship

The heart of the new workshop will feature a wood-fired oven from the historic French company, Le Panyol, which has over 200 years of experience in creating artisanal ovens. This oven, built of heat-resistant bricks from Southern France, excels in providing uniform and robust heat. The bakers will use two types of locally sourced wood from Karuizawa, Japanese larch, and oak, to reach temperatures of 500 degrees Celsius. Crafting bread in a wood-fired oven relies heavily on the artisan's skill and senses: timing, texture, and aroma are all finely tuned to enhance the bread's flavor and crust.

Freshly Milled Flour

Another star of the workshop is the Austrian stone mill, which will allow the team to grind selected domestic wheat from Nagano, Saitama, Hokkaido, and Mie. This mill operates at low speed and low temperature, ensuring that the natural aroma and flavor of the wheat are preserved. Flour is milled in accordance with daily weather conditions, allowing bakers to work with freshly ground flour, resulting in an exceptional taste experience.

New Product Lineup

The workshop will unveil a variety of new baked goods:

Classic Baguette

• - Price: ¥594 (tax included)
• - This baguette is made using two types of pesticide-free domestic wheat, ‘Norin 61’ from Saitama and ‘Nishinokaori’ from Mie, showcasing their unique characteristics. The wood-fired process imparts a delightful crunch to the crust and a soft crumb.

Shinshu Apple Yeast Sourdough

• - Price: ¥2,505 (tax included)
• - Featuring Hokkaido's 'Kitano Kaori' and organic rye, this bread is fermented using a homemade apple and raisin sourdough starter. The result is a flavorful fusion of vibrant acidity and sweetness.

Farmer’s Bread

• - Price: ¥1,728 (tax included)
• - Crafted with Hokkaido's ‘Kitano Kaori’, this bread offers a rustic sweetness with added toasted sunflower seeds, rye, sesame, and flaxseed, creating a depth of flavor.

Komoro Organic Whole Wheat Bread

• - Price: ¥1,512 (tax included)
• - Made from pesticide-free 'Yume no Kaori' grown in Komoro, this whole wheat bread highlights the natural aroma and flavor of the wheat, with a high protein content and delightful texture.

Walnut Bread

• - Price: ¥2,160 (tax included)
• - As suggested by its name, walnut bread incorporates 35% walnuts, redefining what one expects from nut bread with its robust flavor.

Naked Bread

• - Price: ¥432 (tax included)
• - Introduced early in the baking process, this loaf is quickly baked at high temperatures, resulting in a moist and chewy interior.

Granola Cookies

• - Price: ¥378 (tax included)
• - These cookies utilize the residual heat from the oven, combining the texture of crunchy granola for a tasty treat.

A Natural Integration

Since its establishment in 2015, Sawamura’s Old Karuizawa location has embodied a philosophy of “coexistence with nature.” Its design features a seamless blend between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing guests to enjoy the surrounding environment. With a menu highlighting local ingredients, Sawamura caters to all dining occasions from morning to night. Additionally, the newly opened Sawamura Roastery, located just a few minutes from the bakery, offers freshly brewed coffee in a tranquil setting, promising a complete culinary experience immersed in nature's bounty.

Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura invites everyone to partake in this exciting new journey, as they continue to celebrate the flavors, ingredients, and artistry of bread-making in the beautiful setting of Karuizawa.