A Tiny, Charming Bakery in Karasuma Oike

This time, I’d like to introduce a small and adorable bakery called “Flip up!”, a cozy little spot that seems to appear out of nowhere along Oshikoji Street in the Karasuma Oike area.

Karasuma Oike is known as one of Kyoto’s most competitive neighborhoods for bakeries, and Flip up! is an incredibly popular shop—so much so that it has been selected multiple times as one of Tabelog’s “Top 100 Bakeries.”

It’s also very easy to get to: about a 3-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station, and around a 5-minute walk from Kishotei. Since they open from 7:00 a.m., it’s one of the places I’d love guests to visit during their stay—perfect for starting a happy day in Kyoto.
To introduce the bakery properly, I’d like to share the story of my first visit to Flip up!

“I Heard There’s an Amazing Bakery…”

A friend told me, “They have an unbelievably delicious cream-cheese bagel.”
As a huge cheese lover, I couldn’t resist—so I hurried there the very next morning right at 7:00 a.m.

As I got closer to the shop, a warm, toasty aroma drifted through the air, and I already felt happy before even stepping inside. Even though it was early in the morning, customers kept coming and going. That alone made it clear: this place is truly popular.

A Blissful Space Surrounded by Bread

The large window gives you a clear view inside, and I couldn’t stop getting excited just catching glimpses of the bread through the crowd.

Once I stepped in, so many breads were lined up closely together—it felt like happiness spread as far as the eye could see. The staff welcomed me with bright smiles, and I instantly felt like it was going to be a great start to the day.

The selection is truly impressive, with especially many breads and bagels featuring cream cheese.
A heart-shaped cream bun, perfectly flaky croissants, chewy egg bagels… everything I saw made my heart flutter. From sweet pastries to savory breads, it honestly felt like every craving could be satisfied here.

Taste Test

After leaving the shop, I walked toward the Nijo Castle area and decided to enjoy my bread on a bench by a small nearby river.

So, what did I end up buying?
A cream bun, a croissant, a chestnut & cream-cheese bagel, a chocolate bagel, a panini, a chocottina, black sesame & sweet potato bread, an egg bagel, a salted bread… and more.

Out of everything, here are my top three favorites:

Chestnut & Cream-Cheese Bagel

It’s satisfyingly heavy, and with the first bite you can feel the chewy bounce of the moist dough. The cream cheese inside is wonderfully rich, and the sweetness of the chestnuts pairs perfectly with the savory saltiness of the cheese.

Chocolate Bagel

Freshly baked—hot, soft, and chewy. The dough itself has a chocolate flavor, and rich, slightly bitter chocolate flows out from inside. It’s an irresistible choice for any chocolate lover.

Black Sesame & Sweet Potato

This one is chewy as well, and packed with chunky pieces of sweet potato—very filling and satisfying. The black sesame adds a fun, slightly crunchy texture, and its nutty aroma matches beautifully with the gentle sweetness of the sweet potato.

Final Thoughts

With Flip up!, you really can’t go wrong—no matter what you choose, it’s the kind of bakery that naturally makes you smile.

Taking a slow morning walk through Kyoto and enjoying freshly baked bread is truly something special.
If you’re staying with us, I hope you’ll stop by and find your own favorite.

Shop Information

Flip up!
Address: 292-2 Takoyakushi-cho, Oshikoji-dori Muromachi Higashi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0021, Japan
Tel: 075-213-2833

Hours:

• Mon–Sat: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Sun: 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Closed: None