Tofuya Foot Bath Bakery

In the quiet embrace of Japan’s countryside, nestled between soft hills and steam-kissed air, there exists a place where time does not rush. Bakery & Table Tofuya is not just a bakery. It is a gentle pause. A warm loaf in hand. A soak for the feet. A breath that lingers longer than usual.

Located in the soothing hot spring region of Shuzenji in Shizuoka, this bakery is the kind of place where a weekend can slow to the pace of bread rising in a sunlit window. The moment you arrive, the scent of yeast and roasted sesame dances through the air, wrapping around you like a morning blanket. Outside, a footbath footpath flows gently alongside the building, fed by the same natural hot springs that have soothed visitors to Izu for centuries. As steam rises and the stones warm your soles, something inside you begins to unwind too.

You are handed a warm tray and invited to wander through rows of baked beauty. Tofuya Bakery takes inspiration from its tofu-making roots and crafts many of its breads using soy milk, yuba, and even fresh tofu. The result is a collection of baked goods that feel lighter, softer, and somehow more delicate than ordinary bread. There are buns filled with smooth yuzu cream, rustic loaves infused with fermented black beans, flaky pastries dusted in kinako powder, and soft rolls scented with matcha and roasted tea.

There is something quietly magical about eating fresh bread while your feet are dipped in warm mineral water. Every bite becomes more thoughtful. Every moment becomes more layered. You might find yourself sitting longer than planned, nibbling a crispy curry bun as dragonflies glide across the footpath. You might sip hot coffee brewed from locally roasted beans and think of nothing in particular. And that might be the best part of all.

One of their signature items is the tofu croissant. It looks like a classic French croissant, with golden layers and a crisp outer shell, but the use of tofu in the dough makes the inside creamier, almost custard-like. It is the sort of pastry that surprises you without shouting. There are also small seasonal breads that change throughout the year. In early summer, there is lemon-anpan with a yuzu glaze. In the autumn, chestnut rolls with a dusting of cinnamon. In winter, they fold miso and walnuts into hearty loaves meant to warm you from the inside out.

The footpath area is free to use. You can sit on smooth wooden benches, rest your tray beside you, and dip your feet into the hot stream that bubbles beside the road. The atmosphere is quiet but not silent. You will hear the soft splash of water, the rustle of leaves, the low murmur of conversation from other guests enjoying their own little escape. There are no rules, no need to rush. Stay as long as the bread lasts. Or until your feet wrinkle.

Families come and share thick slices of anko toast while watching the sky shift through the trees. Couples lean into each other, laughing over delicate cream puffs and sandwiches made with tofu ham. Solo travelers bring a book, or nothing at all, letting the warm water and the soft bread fill every space that needs filling.

Bakery & Table Tofuya is not a place you simply visit. It is a place that welcomes you to rest. It feeds not just your hunger, but your need to feel cared for. Whether you come for the bread, the footpath, or just a quiet corner to breathe in, you leave with more than what you arrived with.

There are many bakeries in Japan. There are many footbaths. But there are few places where the two come together in such quiet harmony. If you ever find yourself in Shizuoka, with a little time to spare and a little weariness in your feet, follow the scent of bread and the sound of flowing water. You might just find what you didn’t know you needed.