Yeah I find the bakeries in my area to be excellent. Some of the cakes are truly spectacular.
The range of breads generally on offer up here though are pretty limited. And something as simple as a whole grain, wholemeal bread is considered a bit of a luxury item and generally costs a fair amount. It's almost impossible to find such breads in supermarkets or convenience stores. The local convenience store at the ski resort I work at does sell wholemeal bread twice a week but it's really only found here because of the large foreign population. Couldn't find it in other towns in the area.

People selling wholemeal bread in Hokkaido and I don't understand a word of 津軽弁.
http://www.japanforum.com/forum/japa...ct-french.html

Is there a cultural invasion going on in the north?

I don't think many Americans bake their own bread any more, either.

People don't bake bread at home, for sure. But they still bake, wait, roast, turkeys and stuff. And people still bake pie. Actually, Japanese don't really differentiate roast and bake. They both are 焼く. I was mixing them up until this point too.

I really enjoyed reading this. Well I am a Nigerian but love Japan and currently studing her language.
While majoring in Electrical engineering here in my country, I'd like to get a masters in Japan.

How credible is that, in the sense that.Is it expensive, considering factors like where to stay, fees and all?

Vietnam and Lao; both have a strong french influence in some parts, so lots of good baguettes.

:P We're just obsessed with malt. And beer-related products, and generally lots of things that horrify other nations. *marmite toast!nomnomnom*. Hmm, never put vinegar in ramen. Will have to try it whenever i make it to Japan next.

I used to find excellent cake in Osaka too, and again, limited bread, although I never found a proper panya. Occasionally the bakery in Top World had fresh bread of the size and sort I'm used to in the UK. Once there was packaged whole-meal bread available, the poor cashiers were totally shocked when there was suddenly this mob of foreign students all in at once, buying the whole lot up! I didn't see much savory baking on sale in japan, although there was a lot of excellent patisserie goods. Curry pan, but that's not quite the same thing. Just not quite the eccentric range of pie and things like in the UK. Cold pie~ mmmm~

good luck to you-- you deserve to do well.

That's another thing I'd start to miss in Asia, Marmite! Love the stuff!

Grill some marmite on toast till it's bubbling, spread some cheese over it to melt and voila you have a melt-in-your-mouth, absolutely delicious snack!

Yet another fine post that deserves a thread of its own.
I`ll move this over to another thread!