Located in a quiet residential area of Yoga, Setagaya, Gian Franco is a highly regarded bakery known for its authentic bread made with traditional Italian natural yeast.
The bakery inherits a sourdough starter that has been passed down for over 100 years in the village of Bra, Italy, and continues the tradition in Japan through the hands of skilled artisans.
In this article, we provide a complete guide to Gian Franco, including store information, the bakery’s origins, popular menu items, a firsthand tasting review, tips on avoiding crowds, and takeaway advice.
Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning as a fan, this guide will help you make the most of your visit.
目次-table of contents
- Store Information: Location, Hours, and Access
- What Is Gian Franco? — Where Italian Heritage Meets Japanese Artistry
- Popular Menu Highlights: Must-Try Signature Breads
- Tasting Review: Visit Timing, What We Bought, and Honest Impressions
- Baking Schedule & Tips for Buying Successfully
- Gift Ideas, Storage Tips, and Serving Suggestions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion: A Must-Visit Bakery in Yoga for Authentic Natural Yeast Bread
Store Information: Location, Hours, and Access
Address:
4-14-21 Yoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Access:
About a 6–7 minute walk from Yoga Station (Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line), located along Yoga-Nakamachi Street.
Business Hours:
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
(Open Thursday through Sunday and public holidays)
Opening hours and availability may change, so checking the official website or social media before visiting is recommended.
What Is Gian Franco? — Where Italian Heritage Meets Japanese Artistry
The name Gian Franco comes from GianFranco Fagnola, the third-generation baker of a historic bakery founded in 1923 in Bra, Italy.
What makes this bakery special is that the natural yeast starter, carefully preserved and passed down through generations of the Fagnola family, has been officially handed over and is now cultivated in Japan.
Using this traditional sourdough starter allows the bread to develop flavors that commercial yeast alone cannot achieve—deep wheat aroma, complex taste, and a lingering finish that becomes more pronounced with every bite.
Rather than simply reproducing Italian bread, Gian Franco adapts traditional techniques to Japan’s climate and food culture, resulting in bread that feels refined yet familiar.
This philosophy has earned the bakery strong local support and recognition, including selection as one of Tabelog’s “Top 100 Bakeries”.
Popular Menu Highlights: Must-Try Signature Breads
Jancroissant
A signature croissant made using GianFranco Fagnola’s original recipe.
The dough is enriched with eggs and delicately flavored with orange peel and vanilla, creating a sweet, aromatic croissant. The exterior is crisp, while the inside is rich and fragrant—closer to a dessert pastry than a standard croissant.
Pana di BRA
Named after the Italian village of Bra, this rustic bread features a deeply aromatic crust and a mildly tangy interior. A classic hard-style loaf that pairs beautifully with meats, cheese, and savory dishes.
“Flying” Shokupan (Japanese Milk Bread)
Incredibly soft and fluffy, even at the crust.
It can be easily torn by hand and has a gentle sweetness and smooth mouthfeel. Delicious on its own, toasted, or paired with Japanese-style fillings such as sweet red bean paste and butter.
(The author tried the anko-butter version—details below.)
12 Burro (Dodici Burro)
A laminated bread made by folding butter into the dough 12 layers deep.
Crisp on the outside with moist, buttery layers inside, offering a satisfying richness without being heavy.
Other Lineup
Bacon epi, olive oil shokupan, raisin bread, and NOCE (walnut bread) are also available. The selection ranges from soft, olive-oil-based breads to rye-blended hard loaves, making it easy to choose based on your meal or occasion.
Tasting Review: Visit Timing, What We Bought, and Honest Impressions
The author visited on a weekend around 3:00 PM.
The bakery is just a few minutes’ walk from Yoga Station and features a recently renovated, clean interior with breads displayed in a semi face-to-face style.
Purchased Items
- Flying Shokupan with Anko Butter (¥443)
- Filone Soffice with Condensed Milk (¥216)
Flying Shokupan with Anko Butter
The light butter pairs beautifully with the refined sweetness of the smooth red bean paste.
The bread itself is airy and melts in the mouth, making the overall balance elegant rather than heavy.
Filone Soffice with Condensed Milk
The exterior is slightly firm, while the inside remains soft and fluffy.
The condensed milk filling is not overly sweet, making it suitable for both a light snack and dessert.
Prices generally range from ¥300 to ¥600 per item, which may seem slightly high, but the quality of ingredients and craftsmanship justify the cost.
There is no eat-in space, so all purchases are takeaway only.
Many visitors enjoy taking their bread to Kinuta Park or Futakotamagawa for a relaxed outdoor meal.
Baking Schedule & Tips for Buying Successfully
According to the bakery, fresh bread is typically baked at the following times:
- Thursday–Saturday: 12:00 PM / 1:30 PM / 3:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM / 3:00 PM
To secure popular items, visiting around baking times is recommended.
Some items sell out quickly, so coming earlier in the day—late morning to early afternoon—is generally safer.
Gift Ideas, Storage Tips, and Serving Suggestions
For gifts, hard breads such as Pana di BRA or Barbaria Grande, as well as butter-rich pastries, are excellent choices.
For storage:
- Same day: keep at room temperature
- Next day or later: slice, wrap individually, and freeze
- Reheat by thawing naturally, then toasting
Shokupan becomes especially aromatic and crisp when lightly toasted.
Baguettes and rustic loaves also work well for sandwiches or cheese plates, making them ideal as edible gifts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Is there an eat-in space?
A. No, all items are for takeaway only. Many people enjoy eating at nearby parks.
Q. Can I make a reservation?
A. Reservation availability depends on the item and timing. Calling the store directly is recommended.
Q. What payment methods are accepted?
A. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Some mobile payments may also be available.
Conclusion: A Must-Visit Bakery in Yoga for Authentic Natural Yeast Bread
Gian Franco is a bakery that faithfully preserves Italian sourdough tradition while adapting it thoughtfully to Japanese tastes.
Each loaf has a distinct character, showcasing both ingredient quality and artisan skill. For bread lovers, it is a destination worth visiting at least once.
Conveniently located just a 6–7 minute walk from Yoga Station, the bakery is ideal for special treats, gifts, or a picnic in Kinuta Park.
For the latest opening hours and availability, be sure to check the official website or social media before visiting.
