If I might be a little self-indulgent (that is, beyond that indulgence which comes with posting blogs in the first place), I would like to offer praise to a wonderful bakery in Sanda. Pumpkin. On our first working stay in Japan in 2001, we were introduced to this little gem by some fellow teachers and we never looked back.
Baking bread and cakes in what the Japanese call the French tradition is now fairly widespread and Sanda had perhaps a dozen big and small bakeries when we finally left last year. But Pumpkin was always the closest to our hearts and as the crow flies, the closest to home too. It was also one of the most over-staffed establishments. At the counter, someone would wrap your purchases, then someone else would take your money. Meanwhile, another assistant was re-stocking the shelves, while in the kitchen several bakers laboured by benches and ovens.
I miss the little tray and the tongs, the crisp warm breads and rolls, the croissants and interesting Japanese takes on French pastries. And that curious little round roll with the potato jammed in the top. Oh Pumpkin!
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