Steppin’ is a hidden gem of a bakery quietly tucked away just a block off Hatagaya’s main shotengai shopping street. With no signboard to mark its entrance, it’s the kind of place you’ll only find if you know exactly where to look. From 8am, the shop fills with the aroma of freshly baked bread – think pillowy focaccia, hearty German-style loaves, flaky croissants, sweet canelés and classic English muffins. There’s also a small refrigerator where you can pick up small sandwiches like semi-dried tomato focaccia stuffed with creamy brie cheese.
Steppin’ may only open four days a week, but for true bread lovers, it’s a hidden treasure well worth the effort to seek out.