When is Japan's Bread Day?
Japan's Bread Day, パンの記念日 (Pan no Kinenbi), falls on 12 April. On top of that, the 12th of every month is kept as a smaller monthly Bread Day, パンの日, so the loaf gets a nod twelve more times a year.
The story behind the date
By the association's account, the day marks 12 April 1842, when a loaf regarded as one of Japan's first modern breads was baked. It was made not as a treat but as a durable ration for the times. The anniversary itself was established by a Japanese bread-promotion association in 1983, to celebrate how thoroughly bread had become part of everyday Japanese life.
Today that is hard to overstate. From the pillowy shokupan loaf to the melon pan and the filled rolls of any neighbourhood bakery, bread in Japan is its own rich tradition, borrowed and then made entirely its own.
How to celebrate
Bake something soft and a little enriched, in the Japanese spirit: a tender milk loaf is a lovely place to start, its crumb light enough to pull apart. Or simply keep the monthly habit, and let the 12th be the day you bake.
Bake a soft, tender loaf with no guesswork
Breaditorial calculates the exact weights for your tin and flour, guides you through every step, and keeps a journal of every loaf. Available in Japanese and English.
Frequently asked questions
When is Japan's Bread Day?
パンの記念日 is on 12 April. The 12th of every month is also kept as a monthly Bread Day, パンの日.
Why is it on 12 April?
It commemorates 12 April 1842, the date associated with the baking of one of Japan's first modern loaves. The anniversary was established by a Japanese bread-promotion association in 1983.
