Two food brands operated by Fukuoka-based peace put are heading to Karuizawa this March. The bakery cafe dacō is scheduled to open on Saturday, March 7 inside Karuizawa Shoten, while the fresh donut specialty shop I'm donut ? will open on Tuesday, March 17 at Karuizawa T-SITE, which also opens on the same day. Both openings mark the brands' first ventures into the Chubu region of Japan.
Karuizawa, known for its nature across all four seasons and its rich cultural heritage, was selected as the next destination for both brands. The aim is to serve both local residents in their everyday lives and visitors looking to enjoy their time in this resort town — and to become beloved fixtures in the community for the long term.
dacō Karuizawa – Opening March 7
dacō is an offshoot brand of AMAM DACOTAN, built around the concept of "a modern urban bakery for today's needs." It offers a wide variety of small, single-serving-sized breads — designed to be enjoyed in one sitting — giving customers both the joy of choosing and the ease of finishing what they order. Since opening its first location in Sakura-Shimmachi, Tokyo in October 2023, the brand has expanded to five stores across Japan, including Ochanomizu and Nakameguro.
At the Karuizawa location, around 50 types of bread and approximately 30 types of drinks will be on offer. The menu covers savory breads perfect for a meal, cream-filled sweet breads, and simple loaves that highlight the natural flavors of their ingredients — with choices that suit any time of day or mood.
The store features an open kitchen where all bread is made and baked on-site from scratch, with fillings and sauces prepared in-house wherever possible. Every loaf and roll is crafted by hand. Customers can watch the baking process unfold and enjoy the lively, freshly baked atmosphere along with the aroma wafting through the shop.
In addition to takeout, the cafe shares a seating area with Karuizawa Shoten, where visitors can enjoy freshly baked bread alongside books at their leisure. The space is designed for relaxed mornings or quiet afternoon breaks surrounded by the natural scenery of Karuizawa.
Store Details
- Name: dacō Karuizawa
- Address: 1323 Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Last order 6:30 PM)
- Closed: Wednesdays (subject to seasonal changes)
- Seats: 22 (shared with Karuizawa Shoten)
- Access: Approx. 10-minute walk from JR Karuizawa Station
- Instagram: @daco.pan
I'm donut ? Karuizawa – Opening March 17
I'm donut ? is a fresh donut specialty shop that first opened in Nakameguro, Tokyo in March 2022 and now operates nine locations across Japan, with additional stores in New York and Taiwan. The shop is known for a distinctive texture achieved through a proprietary recipe: an original brioche dough blended with eggs, butter, and pumpkin, slowly fermented at low temperatures and then quickly fried at high heat to lock in moisture — resulting in a shell that's crispy outside while the inside is light and melt-in-your-mouth soft.
The Karuizawa location will carry 25 types of donuts. These include the popular signature I'm donut ? Original dusted with mild raw cane sugar, as well as two limited offerings exclusive to the store: the "Caramel Apple Chocolate Cream Donut" (¥518 tax included) and the "Strawberry and Cassis Cheese Cream Donut" (¥518 tax included). The caramel apple donut draws inspiration from Nagano's famous apples, pairing their fresh juiciness with rich chocolate cream.
Freshly made donuts are placed continuously on a wide display counter, with a rotating lineup that keeps the selection looking full and varied. Customers choose their own donuts, watching new ones arrive straight from the kitchen.
Store Details
- Name: I'm donut ? Karuizawa
- Address: 1178-1293 Nakayachi, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture
- Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (closes when sold out)
- Closed: Irregular (follows facility schedule)
- Access: 1-minute walk from JR Hokuriku Shinkansen / Shinano Railway Karuizawa Station
- Instagram: @im.donut
