Japonaise Bakery & Cafe

Bakery · Brookline

Japonaise Bakery & Cafe

Bakery · Brookline

5

1020 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446

Photos

Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe by null

Highlights

Cozy counter-serve space serving classic & creative baked goods that mix Eastern & Western flavors.  

Featured in Eater
Placeholder

1020 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446 Get directions

japonaise.squarespace.com
@japonaisebakery

$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

1020 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446 Get directions

+1 617 566 7730
japonaise.squarespace.com
@japonaisebakery
𝕏
@JaponaiseBakery

$ · Menu

Features

takeout
delivery
payment credit card
Tap to pay
wifi
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@eater

"A beloved neighborhood favorite, Japonaise Bakery & Cafe serves French pastries with a distinctive Japanese twist. The green tea cake is an excellent choice, constructed with three different types of matcha including a matcha bavarian cream. Also on the menu is strawberry shortcake, choco queen cake, creme mango coco cake, and multiple flavors of bread pudding." - Celina Colby, Tanya Edwards, Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Where to Order a Single Perfect Slice of Cake Around Boston
View Postcard for Japonaise Bakery & Cafe
@eater

"It was a sight for sore eyes when Japonaise, a respected French and Japanese bakery that has been a Boston staple for decades, reopened last fall after a two-year hiatus. Owner Takeo Sakan (the son of former owner Hiroko Sakan) gutted and renovated the bakery with some needed technical upgrades. Now, the bakery is back in business with a bounty of treats available, including croissants, fluffy doughnuts, adorable Totoro-shaped cream puffs, and onigiri, sticky rice balls with fillings like spicy tuna and ume (a Japanese pickled plum)." - Erika Adams

The Hottest New Bakeries Around Boston
View Postcard for Japonaise Bakery & Cafe
@eater

"Japonaise Bakery and Cafe, a popular spot for Japanese-meets-French treats, has been closed for over a year for extensive renovations. The bakery, which has not been renovated since its opening in 1985, faced equipment issues. Owner Takeo Sakan has been raising funds through a GoFundMe campaign and provided updates on the renovation progress, stating that there's one more permitting hurdle to be crossed and the remaining work should take about three months." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Brookline’s Japonaise Bakery and Cafe Shares Long-Awaited Reopening Update - Eater Boston
View Postcard for Japonaise Bakery & Cafe
@eater

"The Brookline bakery is delivering a variety of Japanese-inspired baked goods three days a week. Whole cakes and slices are sometimes available via the Uber Eats delivery platform. Delivering locally via Uber Eats on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday." - Rachel Leah Blumenthal

How to Get Cakes and Other Treats Delivered During COVID-19 - Eater Boston
View Postcard for Japonaise Bakery & Cafe
@eater

"Cross Beacon Street and head to Japonaise Bakery & Cafe for its take on a Boston cream doughnut. The custard cream is spiked with orange zest, and even as a Boston cream hater, I have to give this doughnut its due. Also worth snacking on: the an pan, which is a tiny globe of traditional Japanese sweet dough filled with a red bean paste." - Terrence Doyle

Brookline: Sweet Breakfast Food Crawl - Eater Boston
View Postcard for Japonaise Bakery & Cafe

Jada Moore

Google
The cutest bakery in the heart of Brookline offering a various array of fresh breads and pastries. The atmosphere itself whimsy, as the cafe is adorned in small figures and plushies, a nod to some of their most popular breads. I ordered the Jiji (raspberry and chocolate filled) and Anpanman (custard filled) breads. The breads were delicious and very delicate! If you like the fruit meets sweet combo, then Jiji is absolutely the top choice (and was my favorite as well)!

Tiffany Chan

Google
I had picked a potato croquette sandwich and a black sesame melon pan(bread). Pricing is pretty comparable to other Asian bakeries with similar arrangements/assortment or goods. The croquette had a nice crisp and a medley of vegetables mixed in(not at all oily), the bread was soft and bouncy texture (was satisfying to bit through) and the katsu sauce had a nice tang that paired well with both of them. The black sesame melon pan was tasty as well. Not too sweet (perfect for those who prefer less sweet pastries). The sesame cookie topping had a nice crumbly texture, and the sesame flavor was present.

Pearline Johnson

Google
We tried a few items and chocolate cake wins hands down. I mean all options of green tea cake, matcha puff, their house baked bread loaf were soft and tasty. But their chocolate cake is rich in flavor yet light enough to finish the entire slice. Highly recommended.

Kristy Johnson

Google
The food is fantastic, but I do wish someone would provide seating out front, like other restaurants in the area. There is zero seating for this cafe, but others around it have seating out front. I tried a few pastries. The fresh strawberry and matcha cream croissant was delicious!!! I also tried three pastries with names I don’t know how to pronoun, but one had tuna inside and a kind of Mayo and Dijon mustard tasting line of filling on top. It was surprising tasty, though the inner part that was wrapped around the tuna was very tough. The soybean floured red bean donut wasn’t something I liked. The soy flour was bitter to me. There was one pastry that looked like it had cheese on top but it’s actually sugar. It was like a sweet bun that someone poured sugar cookie dough on top of. That was good. Very sweet though. I just had a few bites of each because I was curious. A fun little adventure. Would come back. They have sandwiches and mochi and puddings and all kinds of things. Everyone was friendly and service was fast. There is handicap parking directly out front!

Anna Chase

Google
This is my favorite bakery in Boston. If you have a soft spot for Japanese patisserie you must go here. Everything I’ve tried has been excellent so far. Being a matcha lover, the matcha creme puff and strawberry ichigo croissant get high marks from me because I can tell that they use high quality matcha in the creme. The JiJi (cat) bread filled with chocolate custard and raspberry preserves is also a standout. Savory offerings such as the croquette sandwich and onigiri are also tasty. I always get the pain aux raisins which is a bit of a sleeper. They bake theirs very crispy which I happen to love. On par with Collette Bakery‘s rendition but even a notch crispier. I always get extra to freeze. I haven’t tried freezing the custard breads but the pain aux raisin freezes beautifully to retain the crisp, though I’d still recommend eating asap.

Rajandeep Dhariwal

Google
I recently tried the strawberry and matcha Ichigo cream, while my friend had the raspberry cheese croissant. Both were delicious, though the raspberry cheese croissant was a bit dry, the flavor remained excellent. I do wish the cafe offered more coffee and tea options.

Meghan

Google
we had a great experience visiting japonaise bakery and cafe! we got different pastries to try, but my favorite was the totoro bun. with the chocolate filling it is absolutely unbeatable. the girl who helped us with our order at the counter was very nice and made some recommendations when a few of the things we wanted were sold out.

Juntao Yu

Google
Japonaise has some of the best cute and yummy bakery we can find in Boston! Very happy they reopened!

Selina W.

Yelp
Obsessed. That's all. No, really. Their pastries are so good! I love that they have a daily display of their pastry options so you can visually see what you can get. Their pastries are well made and lots of cute designs like the infamous Totoro shaped bun. I also like that there are day-old options too by their drink cooler. Service is always friendly and I don't find myself waiting too long in line if there is one. It is a shop-and-go type of bakery, so there isn't much to say about the ambiance. There are benches outside around the area if you wanted to sit and enjoy your goodies too.

Crystal C.

Yelp
It's been a while since the last time I was here. The deco inside looked a bit different. Quite dark to be honest. The quality of the buns and milk bread are excellent and tasted as good as I remembered. Got a day old milk bread, 8 pieces for $5. Fresh ones are $6. Totoro custard cream bun was tasty! Soft and pillowy!! $5.5. Twist donut with cinnamon sugar was delicious too! Soft and fresh! Spicy tuna onigiri was yummy!! And red bean mochi both white and green ones are delicious! Service is fast and friendly.

Malina N.

Yelp
You have to try this bakery & cafe in Brookline that has the cutest pasteries! You can get their Jiji, Totoro, or Soot Sprite pasteries with either cream, chocolate, matcha, or orange/yuzu filling and enjoy their local dark roast or cold brew coffee. Although there is not any indoor or outdoor seating, this is definitely a spot for fans to enjoy some delicious Studio Ghibli inspired desserts! My favorite is their adzuki cream pastry! The red bean and cream have a subtle sweet and light flavor that I can't get enough of! Definitely want to come back and try more!!

Kate Y.

Yelp
This review is for the sandwiches. This is a cute, small, clean bakery. They don't have too many options, but a great place to grab a small bite to eat. I grabbed: - chicken katsu sandwich - egg salad sandwich - day-old donut (they price these at $1 off) Everything was good and well made. The sandwiches are on the very small side, and cost more than I would normally pay for.

Connie L.

Yelp
Been meaning to visit Japonaise forever and I'm so glad I finally had the chance to. The Ghibli accents scattered everywhere were so cute. We tried their Totoro Bread and it was pretty good. The bread itself was a bit dry, but the custard cream was nice. Not too sweet. I also got their butter rolls and they were delicious. Perfect for a breakfast treat. The pastries here are a bit expensive, but considering how you're supporting a local business everything is fairly priced. Service was fine. The cafe is tiny so there's no seats for dining in, everything is just packaged to-go.

Karen I.

Yelp
I have LOVED this bakery since I was younger and my mom would get me pastries and cakes from here since I was in high school. Now I'm 26 and still come here to pick up baked goods. They have renovated their place and it looks great! Their classic Azuki cream and the mango pudding dessert are my two favorites things they sell. Everything is hand made in house and you can tell there's a lot of hard work put into their goods. The owners are Japanese and there are not many Japanese owned bakeries in the area so this is where I can get a little taste of home when I'm home sick! They sell many types of bread, sandwiches, cakes and onigiri (rice balls). If you're in the area check them out! I also do know you can place an order for full cake orders!

Monica H.

Yelp
What a cute little shop! A few doors from Hmart. Couldn't decide what to get so my local guide did the ordering! The matcha azuki with lots of matcha filling! Very soft and fluffy filling! Delicious treat! Can't wait to come back and try other goodies!

Kate N.

Yelp
This place never fails to have the BEST pastries i've ever had. The custard filled totoro is my favorite thing of all time- i get it every time i go. It is ALWAYS worth the wait, so if you see a long line- trust me and get in it! Everything we got in the assorted box in the picture was wonderful. The fillings are all amazing and the pastry itself couldn't be better. Soft, fresh, and heavenly creations all around. Even the savory one I got, the Smoked Chibi, was awesome. They recently renovated the place so it's beautiful inside as well now. When it comes to staff, they are all wonderful and truly care. We had a miscommunication and they gave me 4 chocolate filled pastries, so i came back in to buy 4 custard ones. They insisted I don't play for the 4 custard filled ones because they took responsibility for the mistake. I could not have been more grateful! They are incredibly kind humans. I'm from Chicago, but I WILL be back soon, as this place is a must-visit every time i'm in town.

Ann C.

Yelp
I try to go to Japonaise every Sunday, it's the highlight of my week! I've eaten through too much of their menu, but here are my favorites: SAVORY- * Shokupan: traditional Japanese soft white milk bread. Ideal to build a perfect grilled cheese or a Japanese egg salad sandwich with soft boiled eggs and Kewpie mayo. * Chicken katsu on butter roll: A generous, tender slice of chicken breast, breaded, fried, and slathered in tonkatsu sauce. This is the PERFECT snack, light lunch, or travel meal. * Korokke (potato croquette) on butter roll: A perfectly fluffy potato patty, breaded, fried, and slathered in tonkatsu sauce *Onigiri: I usually stick with my usual tuna or spicy tuna; I once got the kelp one and it was weirdly spicy (couldn't finish it) * Plain croissant: If you can get it when it's come right out of the oven, it's HEAVENLY. * Curry donut: This is on the heavier side, but so savory and full of umami. SWEET- * Azuki cream: A croissant shell filled with fresh whipped cream (the lightest, fluffiest cream you'll ever try!) and a layer of sweet red bean paste. I don't even like red bean paste, but I love this pastry. I've also tried the matcha version but I always come back to this one. It's their most popular item for a reason. * Blueberry croissant: Almost like a blueberry danish married a croissant, it's crispy, fruity, and rich. * Totoro: basically a custard bun, but in super cute rabbit form, and makes the perfect gift. * Black sesame melon pan: The contrast of the earthy, almost bitter crackly black sesame with the soft, pillowy roll and the custardy filling is so good.

Thao L.

Yelp
We tried this place on a weekend since I have got this bookmarked for so long. All the pastries are super cute. We got the totoro custard bun, ichigo cream, sugary donuts and spicy tuna onigiri. Food: 7/10 What we got was good, although we didn't think the flavors were super unique. A bit sweet to me. This was probably because we had such high hopes and there were not a lot of special goodies left when we came. I am hoping next time we can try the matcha ichigo cream, and some of the other cool-flavor pastries. We will grab a few savory ones too for an updated review. Service: 8/10 Staff were nice and quite efficient. The line was long when we came but moved pretty fast. Value, Ambiance & Location: 9/10 Cute shop in a walkable area with an H-mart nearby and other shops opening soon. Overall: 7.5/10 My first impressions were good but not outstanding, but I will come back to taste more flavors and options! Love the concept and the cute pastries!

Ellie W.

Yelp
Super cute bakery! They were selling some of their croissant for a dollar off, so I thought I would try. Baked goods are very aesthetic and yummy! We enjoyed the mango pudding, although it's a little small for the price.

Florence K.

Yelp
Came on a weekend close to closing time but they still had a lot of options. The bakery is very small and unfortunately, does not have any place for you to sit and enjoy their baked goods however, I got the melon pan and really like it. It was crispy with a bit of sweetness

Alice N.

Yelp
My review is only based on the Ichigo Cream since it was the first thing I tried before the pandemic and I haven't gotten around to exploring. BUT I was so excited when I heard they made a Matcha Ichigo Cream and it's honestly my favorite thing to get if I'm ever in the area!! - Matcha Ichigo Cream ($5) 5/5 - Ichigo Cream ($5) 4.5/5 Really love how crispy and flakey the croissant is with the light cream filling and fresh strawberries. I've went in the morning and noon time before and both times I was lucky to not be in a line, but typically when I'm leave a line starts forming quickly so if you want to avoid them, don't go during peak times.

Michelle T.

Yelp
Love their Totoro Pan!! Fluffy bread with a delicious custard cream and pineapple bun eyes and tummy. They have a good spread of different baked goods, onigiris, sandwiches and drinks. Service was quick!

Gloria H.

Yelp
I first heard about Japonaise over 5 years ago, so when we were stuck in a long line for Kyo Matcha and saw Japonaise next door, it felt like fate. I hopped on over and checked out their offerings. They have a display shelf of all of the non-refrigerated pastries so that you can peruse them before ordering. They also have day old pastries and bread sold at a discount, as well as shokupan loaves. There were so many cute and interesting pastries -- so hard to choose! I ended up choosing 4 items to bring back home, which we ate later that evening. I got the shio butter roll ($2.50). It was very light and fluffy, with a slightly buttery inside, mild sweetness, and some salt crystals on the top. This was quite simple and good. We also tried the chikuwa pan ($4.75), which has a cylindrical fish cake running lengthwise, stuffed with tuna, wrapped in Kewpie mayo, all inside of a soft bun (similar to the shio butter roll). It was quite the interesting pastry -- certainly unlike anything I've tried before. I probably wouldn't get this again, but I'm glad I tried it! We got the kinoko cream ($5.00), which is a puff pastry with mushrooms and cheese. I really liked the mushrooms and crispy cheese on this pastry, though I don't think the pastry itself was that flaky/good. It's possible that it would taste much better heated/crisped up in an oven, though! Finally, we got the black sesame melon pan ($3.95). The black sesame cookie topping was indeed pretty crunchy, while the bread was similar to the other breads we had tried -- light and fluffy. Since the topping and bread were not very sweet, I found myself wanting a filling. I think melon pan is usually more sweet/has more topping. Overall I enjoyed trying the unique flavor combinations at Japonaise, and everything that I tried was good. If I came back, I would want to try one of their custard cream filled pastries -- I felt like the breads that I tried were quite plain and could use more flavor/texture contrast.

Jenny N.

Yelp
The inside of this cafe is so cute and cozy! Note there is no seating inside (apparently this is new after their renovations). We came right as opening and some pastries were not immediately available, so I would recommend coming 30 min-1 hour after opening to avoid the wait but still get access to more of their selection. Totoro pan: their cutest and most famous bun! Offered in chocolate and custard. We got both and loved it. The filling is light yet slightly sweet and paired perfectly with the light and fluffy bread. The totoro eyes/belly are similar to melon bread topping and added some nice texture. We were told that the eyes face different ways so the staff are able to tell the flavors apart. Overall 4.5/5. Ichigo cream: probably inspired by the popular fruit-cream sandwiches in Japan! Deliciously fresh strawberries on rich whipped cream on a flaky croissant. Dusted with powder sugar. 5/5 so delicious. Azuki cream: delicious buns filled with lightly sweet red bean paste and whipped and light cream. The vanilla cream was my favorite was is a 5/5. The matcha bun would be great for matcha lovers, but the matcha flavor was much too strong and bitter for my liking so I would give it a 3/5. I definitely will come back to try more of their menu!

Zackary P.

Yelp
Brookline's beloved Japonaise bakery is BACK!! After a long wait, Japonaise Bakery is back in business! All your favorites are back and better than ever. Featuring: Totoro Pan: Totoro Pan is a reference to the character Totoro from Studio Ghibli's iconic film "My Neighbor Totoro." This pastry is shaped like Totoro, offering a cute and whimsical treat. It's a must-try, and it has a loyal fan following. Ichigo Cream: Ichigo means "strawberry" in Japanese. Ichigo Cream is a pastry featuring a creamy and luscious strawberry filling. It's a delightful choice for those who enjoy the combination of creamy textures and the sweet-tart flavor of strawberries. Azuki Cream: Azuki beans are commonly used in Japanese desserts. Azuki Cream is a pastry filled with a smooth and sweet red bean paste and complemented with a creamy component. It's a classic Japanese treat appreciated for its balance of flavors and textures. Matcha Azuki Cream: Matcha is powdered green tea, and it's a beloved flavor in Japanese cuisine. Matcha Azuki Cream combines the earthy and slightly bitter taste of matcha with the sweet, nutty notes of azuki bean paste. The result is a harmonious blend of flavors that many find irresistible. These pastry items showcase the bakery's commitment to Japanese-inspired flavors and creativity in pastry-making. If you're in Brookline, it's definitely worth stopping by Japonaise Bakery to savor these delicious offerings and experience their delightful interpretations of classic and unique pastries. Don't forget to take the Green (C) Line towards St. Mary's St station for convenient access. FOLLOW @zackaryeats for more foodie finds

Kelly C.

Yelp
Cute small family owned bakery with Japanese goods. The service depends on who your cashier is. The melon pan is good, not too sweet. If you've had a Chinese pineapple bun, this is like its shy younger cousin. Cream pan: very soft and really good, the custard is also good. Strawberries and cream: strawberries and cream in a pastry, not too sweet Spicy Tuna Onigiri: they have a decent amount of filling and are pretty good

Brian W.

Yelp
I've seen long lines outside of this cafe on most weekends, so I decided to give it a try today when the line was only a few people long...or so we thought. Though a few people were waiting outside, the inside was pretty packed, and we ended up waiting about 15-20 minutes until we were able to order. They didn't seem to have an official ticketing system in place - instead they had 3 front of house people who were rotating in and out, taking orders at the registers and then going back to pack up the orders themselves. It probably would have been a bit faster if one person was at the register and two were getting tickets and packing, but it wasn't too bad. The line is also not too bad because as you're making your way closer to the registers, they have a pretty nice display of all of their products and signs detailing what each item was and what ingredients they had. I ended up just getting the Matcha Azuki Cream bun, which was $6.00. It was really tasty, but the price did feel a little steep. The pastry itself was very flaky and buttery, and it tasted really high quality. The matcha cream itself didn't have very much sweetness, but there was a lot of it giving a pretty strong matcha flavor. Most of the sweetness came from the thin layer of red bean paste on the bottom, which was surprising, since I thought the cream would add sweetness, but it ended up being the perfect balance. I usually don't like red bean too much, but this was the perfect amount and the perfect amount of sweetness - when coupled with the more bitter matcha cream it had a great dessert balance. That being said, this 4 stars is probably more on the 3.5/5 side than the 4/5. The wait was pretty long and the price was pretty high, but the actual pastry itself was very, very good. I'd get this again for a special occasion, but it's probably a bit much for a casual cafe stop.

Courtney W.

Yelp
the best Japanese bakery! they're only open on certain days so be sure to check their hours before planning a trip there. I ordered their ham and cheese croissant as well as their ichigo cream pastry (which was the reason I came). and let me tell you, their pastries are delicious! their ham and cheese croissant was so flakey and savory and their ichigo cream had the perfect amount of cream and it was so soft and delicious. I came early in the morning so they had plenty of pastries. there's no seating inside but there are some benches along the sidewalks.

Mark L.

Yelp
Interesting pastry. Cute. I do like the Azuki cream bun. Pastry was flaky, the red bean is a bit too sweet, possibly from can one.

Monica L.

Yelp
Very cutely decorated bakery! And you can see into the back where they're baking everything fresh :) So happy that it's open again! The shio butter roll was so soft and perfectly slightly salty The ichigo strawberry was also light and yummy too! Smaller than expected but a good snack But the matcha azuki cream was by far my favorite! The cream was so light fluffy and full of matcha flavor, the shell was like croissant texture was unique, and the red bean inside also brought it together well :) It's right on the green line and too easy to get to, I always want to keep coming back

Kristine N.

Yelp
such a cute little Japanese bakery! when I saw this bakery online, I was immediately intrigued by the Totoro bread the shop is small and there's no seating, so it's a to-go kind of spot. there's street parking nearby and along the street. I came towards the end of the day so there wasn't much bread left, but they still had items I was interested in trying. when fully stocked, they have items such as sweet filled bread, scones, danishes, sandwiches, cake slices, and onigiri. After I decided on what to get, I went up to the register and the service was friendly and quick. I ended up getting 3 breads-- totoro custard, cream man, and melon pan. The totoro and cream man were so cute!! very picture worthy. They package your breads in a plastic box, not great for the environment, but it prevents your beautiful breads from being squished. The bread was slightly sweet, soft, and light. The custard filling was great because it was light and also not too sweet, and added some moisture to the bread. I liked the totoro bread because it had both the cookie topping and the custard inside. The melon pan was good, albeit a bit dry. I would probably recommend the custard bread with cookie topping (forgot the name) over it instead. I think it would be good with tea or coffee though! I'm not sure if melon pan is usually flavored with melon, I know some places do, but I would've liked it more if it was. I'd definitely come back here again (hopefully earlier in the day!) to try some of their other breads, they look so good!!

Nina F.

Yelp
An Asian bakery that you may have seen on social media for their Totoro bread. Besides the trendy treats, this bakery was a fairly big bakery with many options from pastries to sandwiches. Service was quick and on a Saturday around noon it wasn't too busy. The potato croquette sandwich was delicious and Totoro bun was cute, but nothing special. Definitely would go back as a quick place to grab food between studying since it's so close to BU

Melanie W.

Yelp
My friend stopped by the bakery for me on Friday morning when he was around the area. It was his first time stopping by after they reopened. I am kind of disappointed that they took a few items away, but still happy that they still have Totoro. He ordered an pan, co co an pan, black sesame melon pan, Totoro, curry pan, twist doughnut, azuki cream, and ichigo cream.

Arianna L.

Yelp
Came here on Thanksgiving and the line was not too long!small cute shop in Brookline with no seating areas. I got their curry puff, sausage bun, mochi, ichigo cream, and milk bread! All the pastries were a bit small but very tasty. Would recommend to try! Staff is very friendly.

Hursuong V.

Yelp
Charming place -- Was nice to see the owner chatting with frequent customers while still actively kneading dough in his hands. Decor is a little sparse inside but they keep the pastries coming. They show what's still available via the display in the front. Very popular -- the line can be a bit long.

Lina H.

Yelp
4.3 The pastries here are some of my favorite of all the pastries I've ever eaten. Croissant-based items are super light and flaky. I'd say they're on the more expensive side for the price, but the taste makes it worth it. Nothing is too sweet or too heavy. I've tried the apple croissants, matcha azuki cream bun, an, strawberry croissant, and curry pan. The matcha azuki and apple croissant are my faves. Will be back to try other pastries. Cute spot with cute decor. I usually go in the late afternoon and so far it hasn't been overly busy.

Donna L.

Yelp
A cute place off of St. Mary's stop to get Asian-inspired pastries and snacks. They only do takeout here so expect to grab and go. The pastries are cute and it's a nice addition to Boston's lacking of Asian desserts, but I wouldn't say I was wowed. The pastries are also pretty small.

Melanie H.

Yelp
Ok WOW! I always pass by this bakery from work and finally decided it was the day to check it out! And boy am I glad I totoROLLED with that idea! I got two Totoro pans, one with chocolate filling and the other with custard! Not only did they have such a cute presentation, but it was also absolutely scrumptious! The bread is light and airy and the flavor is very present but not overwhelming, with just the right amount of filling! Immediately after I scarfed it down, I wanted more! Can't wait to come back and maybe try a different treat!

Kristine Z.

Yelp
Really small and cute bakery with attention to detail! There was a small line when I came on thanksgiving morning ~9:30 am and all the items were still in stock. The Totoro bread with chocolate custard is cute and also tasty- the biscuit topping was shatteringly crisp and the chocolate custard was rich and not too sweet. I'm looking forward to having my matcha cream + azuki paste bun.

Joy G.

Yelp
A must if you're in Boston (and craving Asian baked goods). I had been following the whole saga with Japonaise and their journey to reopening - I knew it was a beloved neighborhood institution and how much people were eagerly awaiting their pastries. I got the kinako twisted donut and the smoked chibi sausage roll. Both were standouts! The donut had a mochi-esque texture, with lots of chew and bounce to the dough, and I loved the dusting of kinako flour (roasted soybean that tasted very peanuty). The sausage roll was on the small side but I loved the wonderful snap of the meat and the dollop of ketchup they added on top. Tried a bite of my friend's red bean cream roll and that, too, was delicious. Really, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the offerings here. They also sell onigiri and bags of rolls. Not much room inside, there's a small ledge to sit while you wait for your order. Try to get here early on weekend mornings. We came at around 11 on a Saturday and while the line was short, some of the selection looked picked over. Lots of street parking on Beacon and a new H Mart is right next door! I foresee myself spending lots of time on this particular block.

Kaori M.

Yelp
So great Japonaise Bakery came back after 2 years of renovation. Now they removed tables and chairs and focus on taking out style. It was busy in the Sunday afternoon and a little run out of stuff, but there were still plenty of Azuki cream, which is my favorite. I also got chocolate cake. Both are fantastic!

Eva Y.

Yelp
This place has a very special place in my heart as i've been having their pastries since the 90's (ever since i was a little girl). My parents immigrated to America in the mid 1980's and went to work at a restaurant that was just a few doors down named Chef Chang's House up until it went out of business in 2010. As a little girl, they would regularly bring me back goodies from here and the cakes here have accompanied me through many birthdays. My personal favorite cake here is their matcha sponge cake with matcha gelatin and mousse which has been on the menu here since at least the 1990's. From what i heard from my parents, the previous owner here (the mother of the current owner who had retired several years ago) was a very nice and hard working woman and would regularly drop off all sorts of baked goodies at their restaurant. I'm a very sentimental person so it brings me great happiness to know that her son has taken over the shop after her retirement and is continuing her legacy. When i had stopped by the store earlier today for the first time since their 2+ year hiatus, the lines were out the door and it was the busiest that i've ever seen them in the 20+ years that i've been here. While i was very happy to see the store's growing success, i found the overall quality of the pastries a bit concerning as they were not as good as before (e.g the plain croissant, the ichigo cream croissant, and their popular azuki red bean cream bun). I wonder if this has anything to do with the store not being able to keep up with the newfound demand, the hiring of additional new pastry chefs to keep up with the demand, or the poor choice made of letting prefilled cream croissants sit in the fridge for too long which made them soft and stale). My hope is that the quality issue will just be temporary as i really want to see them succeed in the long run and for them to still be here for as long as i live...... Crossing my fingers!

Yerina K.

Yelp
I saw a huge line in front of this bakery and was curious so we got these! The totoro pan was really good: the cream inside was not too sweet and the bread was SO fluffy and yummy. The cream bun on the other hand was very average but the bread itself was yummy. I love Asian baked goods and this reminded me of home! The place itself is just a buy and go/there are no seats and it is pretty small so there might be a line. Worth it though!

Hannah G.

Yelp
Highly recommend the pastries at Japonaise! They recently reopened and there was a line out the door on a Sunday around 2. Because it was so late in the day when I went, they were out of a lot of things and there was nothing in the display case, so I had to ask what they still had. I think this system is why the line was so long and slow, but I can say the line is worth it. I would recommend going during the week earlier in the day for less of a line! I ended up getting a Torturo pastry with chocolate cream filling and a melon pan, both of which had an amazing pillowy texture and were the perfect level of sweet.

Tom K.

Yelp
What a cute cafe around my neighborhood. I love the Japanese inspired flavors as well. Whenever I'm craving pastry, I'll come here to pick up an azuki bean fresh cream pastry. Honestly SO good, even for my girlfriend who doesn't like red bean that much. They also have a matcha red bean, which is also very good. But those red bean and matcha flavors are both strong and compete more than the cream and red bean, which seem to compliment each other more. I haven't tried too many of their other breads though and this is my qualm with this cafe. You can go early or you can go later and you never know what your selection of breads would look like. They often sell out of breads or restock randomly throughout the day. If you're going there looking for a specific bread, chances are they may not have it. So you just have to keep an open mind when coming here and not hoping for any one particular bread. I wish they had more regular drops at set times throughout the day so that if someone was traveling from further but wanted to try something like the totoro bread for example, would be able to.

Pag M.

Yelp
I've been here so many times and they never disappoints. I love the Totoro bread with chocolate custard filling and the match azuki bun. All the pastries look and taste so good. The service is quick since they just go and grab the premade pastry. Inside has small cute decorations. The cafe is small so if it gets busy it's going to be very crowded. I love this cafe and will continue to eat here before work.

Lina L.

Yelp
Japonaise finally reopened this year, and boy was I excited! They even released some new products, which I was more than happy to try. I stop by every now and then for a pastry or two when I am in the area. I came on Saturday afternoon and there was no line. I was able to get curry bread and matcha azuki. Their pastries are not very sweet to the point that even my mom can enjoy them without complaining. Their curry bread was oily on the outside but did not taste greasy overall. I enjoyed the crisp exterior while the inside had savory curry present. I would prefer more filling, but I still found it enjoyable overall. The matcha azuki was pretty good. The matcha cream is not sweet at all, but strong in matcha flavoring. They are pretty generous about their filling as the cream constantly gushes out with each bite you take. The azuki alongside the bun were perfect. I love their azuki products as they are not overly sweet and still taste fragrant. The texture of the pastry was also enjoyable. I will come back here when I am in the area again!

Shane H.

Yelp
Literally the best bakery in Boston. The pastry is fluffy and full of rich creamy fillings. Definitely coming back again!

Chloe H.

Yelp
I thought this bakery closed permanently pre-pandemic! So so glad it's back Curry pan is my absolute favorite, it's warm and melts in your mouth. I haven't seen Ghibli desserts yet, hoping I can try Jiji and No-Face pan someday! Super friendly team, good vibes wish they can bring the chairs n tables out soon but there are benches to sit at nearby!

P. H.

Yelp
Love this place!!! Everything is delicious! I often buy the large unsliced loaf of shoku pan. Great pastries too.

Erika S.

Yelp
This is just one of many pictures I have from this bakery! I go there during my lunch break at least once a week and I love it. What they have really depends on how busy the morning was and my timing but they always have a variety of bread, croissants, and onigiri when I go. It's a super cute place with a great location for grocery shopping and walking around too!

Michael W.

Yelp
Really good Japanese bakery. My favorites are the ichigo cream and melon pan. Flavors are light and not too sweet.

La P.

Yelp
Place was pretty cute options are few. When I got there I think they were getting ready to close. There was not many pastries in display but some in the back room. I bought the tottoro kitty sooo cute. Definitely will come back at an earlier time.

Marissa N.

Yelp
I only had their azuki cream bun but OMG!!!!!! That azuki cream bun was enough to make me wanna come back. The azuki paste was so soft and sweet it reminded me of Kaya jam. Plus with the whipped cream it was heavenly. Definitely will try it again!

Madeline M.

Yelp
Generally very good. I usually get a onigiri and a twisted croissant for lunch. I know a lot of people go for the ghibli stuff which can be cute. However there's no place to sit, it would be great if they got tables or benches outside. I go during the weekdays so I've never really encountered a line.

Limina L.

Yelp
Literally the yummiest desserts I've had in such a long time. The frosting is not too sweet and it's super creamy!

Tess N.

Yelp
Service was amazing and everyone incredibly friendly! The line moves very quickly and they do their best to keep everything stocked. The deserts were baked perfectly, the texture was amazing, everything was so fluffy and fresh. This is a MUST visit if you are ever in the Boston area.