Even the name itself is low hanging fruit. Bread, Espresso &: two of my favorite things: carbs and caffeine. The cafe and bakery is hardly a novel concept but when done well, it is simple pleasure at its best. With locations all around Japan, this local franchise still manages to capture a sense of quotidian wonder and craft. It’s a classic Asian cafe and bakery, with pretty pastries and decadent desserts, shokupan dressed up on its own and sliced for fruit sandos. And fluffy breads with seasonal Japanese ingredients, savory and sweet. And of course drinks to match: coffees, matchas, teas and seasonal sparking fruit beverages and floats that are as beautifully presented as cocktails.

The Arashiyama location in Kyoto is particularly special. Located in a traditional garden a short walk from the main street, the cafe is in a preserved kominka, a family farm house, with tatami floors and windows to the garden creating a tranquil atmosphere to sit and linger for a moment.