Gunma's First Store Opens! Hokkaido's Popular Salt Croissant Specialty Shop SiOKUMA BAKERY Isezaki Branch Opens April 9

Taiwanese travelers who enjoy Japanese bread, especially savory croissants, should keep an eye out for this new shop if they happen to be visiting Gunma soon. Salted Bear Bakery (SiOKUMA BAKERY) Isezaki branch, specializing in freshly baked salt croissants and scones, will officially open on April 9, 2026, in Isezaki City, Gunma Prefecture. This marks the brand's first foray into Gunma, making it a noteworthy destination for those who enjoy exploring new shops, photographing food, and planning local mini-trips.

A popular bakery brand from Hokkaido has opened in Gunma.

Salt Bear Bakery already had considerable buzz in Hokkaido, with its Sapporo Fushimi and Aeon Asahikawa Harukita stores drawing significant queues upon their openings. The brand's signature is the salt croissant, which has been increasingly popular in Japan in recent years. They further set their products apart by not just offering the common buttered salt bread, but designing it with a pretzel-like texture. The exterior is crisp and fragrant, while the inside offers a chewier, more elastic bite.

This time, the Isesaki store is located within the parking lot of Isesaki Gardens. This is relatively convenient for travelers who are driving themselves. If you already have plans for shopping, dining, or a scenic drive in Gunma, this type of bakery is a great small spot to add to your itinerary for a quick stop along the way.

Why are salt croissants so popular? The key lies in Hokkaido wheat and their texture difference.

According to information released by the shop, Salt Bear Bakery uses Hokkaido-produced wheat varieties "Minori no Chikara" and "Harukirari" to make their bread. They incorporate butter into a simple dough, then bake it to achieve a crispy exterior and chewy interior. Compared to typical salt bread, which is usually softer and has a more straightforward buttery flavor, this shop's version is characterized by a slightly firmer, chewier texture reminiscent of a pretzel, making it more satisfying to eat.

This approach allows the salted croissant to be more than just a breakfast sidekick, but a standalone star product. For Taiwanese travelers who normally enjoy the plain exterior but detailed taste of Japanese bakery bread, this shop will have a clear appeal.

The Isesaki store's limited-edition flavor is a major highlight of this opening.

The most noteworthy item at the new store is the Isetan store exclusive product, "Black Pepper Smoked German Potato Salt Croissant (ブラックペッパー薫るジャーマンポテト塩パン)." This product, featuring a flavorful German potato filling wrapped in a freshly baked salt croissant and seasoned with black pepper, is designed to be more savory than sweet, making it a perfect light lunch or a tummy-filler during travel.

If you're someone who doesn't have much of a sweet tooth and is more interested in savory breads, this limited edition product is probably the one you should try first.

Besides the signature salted croissant, both sweet and savory flavors are fully available.

The menu unveiled this time, in addition to the signature salt croissant, features a variety of variations. For example, "Fluffy Cream" filled with fresh Hokkaido cream, "Homemade Tiramisu" made with house-made tiramisu cream, and "An Butter Sandwich," a red bean and butter sandwich-style treat, are all popular classic extensions. This place is perfect if you like to buy a few different flavors to share with travel companions on your trip.

Savory options include truffle salt, pollock roe mayonnaise, and garlic butter salt croissants. Sweet options include condensed milk salt milk and honey butter. The overall range of flavors is quite comprehensive. Prices mostly range from 270 to 420 yen, so it's not too much of a burden even if you buy several at once.

Scones are not a supporting role either, they are suitable for taking along.

In addition to salt croissants, the shop name also specifically mentions scones. The items sold concurrently include salt butter scones and chocolate scones. The former are made with Hokkaido-produced wheat and butter, emphasizing a layered texture that is light and flaky with a hint of saltiness. The latter incorporates cocoa powder and chocolate chips into the dough, resulting in a richer texture and flavor.

If you're someone who usually buys scones in Japan to enjoy as a snack at your hotel or with coffee the next day, this place is not only great for eating on-site but also for takeout.

It's not just about selling bread; there's also a clear design style behind the brand.

Official materials state that the shop's product and design planning was handled by "Hanninmae," a food planning team that has developed multiple popular dining brands in Hokkaido. Therefore, Salt Bear Bakery is positioned not just as a simple local bakery, but rather as a new type of trendy shop, common in Japan in recent years, with comprehensive branding and product concepts.

For tourists, the appeal of this kind of shop usually goes beyond "how delicious it is" and includes "whether it's distinctive enough to photograph well," "whether it's a local specialty," and "whether it can serve as a small highlight during the trip." From this perspective, the Isesaki store's conditions are quite complete.

Store Information and Key Highlights

Salt Bear Bakery Isezaki Store is located at 3406-3 Miyako-cho, Isezaki City, Gunma Prefecture, within the Isezaki Garden Shopping Area parking lot. They are open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM with no fixed holidays. Their main products include baked goods such as salt croissants and scones, with prices ranging from approximately 270 yen to 420 yen. Their phone number is 050-8884-6636. For information on opening details and product updates, you can also refer to the brand's Instagram.

For those planning a self-guided trip to Gunma, this type of shop is ideal for your shopping itinerary, local strolls, or when driving around. Especially if you already like Hokkaido-style sweets and bread brands, then trying baked goods with the same Hokkaido wheat characteristics in Gunma is definitely worth it.

Conclusion

If you like new and trendy Japanese food and are planning a trip to Gunma, Shion Kuma Bakery Isesaki Store is a great place to add to your list. From their pretzel-style salt croissants made with wheat from Hokkaido, to the Isesaki store's exclusive black pepper German potato flavor, and their scone series perfect for takeout, their product line is clear and distinctive. This isn't just "another new opening"; it's a new bakery that's perfect to include on your Gunma food map.

Shop Name: SiOKUMA BAKERY Isezaki Store
Address: 3406-3 Miyako-cho, Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, within the Isesaki Garden Shopping Area parking lot
Business Hours: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Public Holidays: None
Phone: 050-8884-6636
Price range: ¥270 - ¥420
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/siokumabakery?igsh=dnhyY3RqN2V3MnJp&utm_source=qr