Yokohama Peach is offered as a regular menu at Okayama Kobo Cafe! - Join Us 2/8/2026 at Anaheim, CA Pop-Up

Introduction

We are excited to announce that our Yokohama Peach is now available on the regular menu at the popular Japanese Bakery, Okayama Kobo, in Anaheim, Los Angeles (DTLA), and Laguna Niguel.

Please see the details below about Okayama Kobo and each cafe.

But, before that, I want to mention the pop-up we are hosting at the Anaheim Okayama Kobo Cafe on 2/8/2026 (Sun)!

Join Us 2/8/2026 at Anaheim, CA Pop-Up

Here is a brief about the pop-up: 

Place: 
Okayama Kobo 
155 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805 (Google Map)

Date & Hours
Sunday, February 8, 2026: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
(Yes, that is the morning of the Super Bowl night!)

Ticket: 
You do not need any tickets! It's free for anyone.

Parking Info

Good news – parking is easy here!

There are plenty of on-street parking spaces around the Cafe, as well as a public parking garage right next to the Cafe building.

Street parking has a 90-minute limit, but if you need more time (and trust me, you might want to browse around), the parking garage offers 2 free hours with validation in parking garage 3 and 5.

The Center Street Promenade area is very walkable, so if you park a bit further away, it's actually a nice stroll past some cute shops and restaurants.

Event Flyer

And here is the event flyer that Katie Lang from Okayama Kobo created for us.  She is a talented artist who handles all the art-related items at Okayama Kobo Cafe.  Thank you, Katie!

 

Takumi Alley Event "Lucky Cat and Friends" on the Street Outside Okayama Kobo on the Same Day!

We will have our booth right outside the Cafe's entrance, and on the same day, a very popular art event will be happening right outside the Cafe.  If you are not familiar with Takumi Alley, let me explain.

What is Takumi Alley?

Takumi Alley (@takumialley) is a makers' market celebrating Asian creatives and culture. The name comes from the Japanese word "takumi" (匠), which means "artisan" or "craftsman" – and that perfectly captures what this event is all about.

The organizers describe it as a celebration of "the best in handcrafted, well-designed, long-lasting, and either organic, sustainable, or ethically produced products that honor the culture of Asian craftsmanship."

I've been to the Takumi Alley events, and they always have such a warm, community feel.

Picture of Miki in front of Takumi Alley hosted at DTLA in Dec 2025

You'll find around 17-25 vendors selling everything from handmade stationery and art prints to ceramics, jewelry, and of course, delicious food and drinks.

The February 8th event is themed "Lucky Cat and Friends" – perfect timing right before Lunar New Year!

Past events have included:

• Live music (like the 818 String Quartet!)
• Scavenger hunts
• Raffle drawings
• Letter-writing stations
• Themed costume contests

It's a truly wholesome experience. Think of it as a whimsical little village of artists, right in the heart of Anaheim.

About the Hosts: The Okeya Family

Three names always appear when you see Takumi Alley promotions: @kenzo_illustrations, @audreyokeya, and @okeyastationeryco.

These are all connected to a talented husband-and-wife creative team who pour their hearts into making these events special.

Jon Kenzo Okeya (@kenzo_illustrations)

Kenzo-san is a self-taught illustrator from Los Angeles.

After spending several years living in Asia, he returned home to pursue his passion for illustration full-time.

Here's something really cool: Kenzo illustrated a children's book called "Oh No! Chinese School!" written by Crystal Murakami and published by East West Discovery Press (with coloring by Audrey!). The book received the 2025 Skipping Stones Honor Award, which recognizes exceptional multicultural and international books. It's a bilingual English-Chinese story about a girl who discovers the power of bilingualism – a meaningful project!

Beyond illustration, Kenzo-san also hosts a cooking show – talk about a multi-talented creative!

Audrey Okeya (@audreyokeya)

Audrey-san was born and raised in Binondo, Manila, Philippines – which, fun fact, is the world's oldest Chinatown! She's Filipino-Chinese and studied animation and graphic design in both the Philippines and Singapore before moving to Los Angeles about seven years ago.

Her art style is quirky, kawaii, and wonderfully whimsical. There's a lightness to her work that just makes you smile.

Together, Audrey-san and Kenzo-san make such a wonderful creative partnership. You can clearly see the care they put into everything they do.

Okeya Stationery Co. (@okeyastationeryco)

This is Kenzo-san and Audrey-san's shop, where they sell their hand-illustrated goods: journals, sticker sheets, washi tape, art prints, greeting cards, and more.

One thing that always catches my eye at events is their YATAI Cart – a custom-built wooden booth designed to look like a Japanese ramen cart. It's become a landmark at events across Southern California. You can't miss it!

If you're into stationery (and honestly, who isn't?), definitely check out their booth at the event. Their products make such thoughtful gifts.

About Okayama Kobo

Now, let me tell you about Okayama Kobo itself!

Their cafe is always busy with lots of people always in line (but their service is surprisingly quick, so you don't feel like you are waiting a lot).

Here is a photo of the line in front of the cafe I took the other day. The shop is on the right side, so you can see the line stretching all the way to the 3 shops next to the cafe. :0

People waiting in line in front of Okayama Kobo Anaheim

The Story Behind Okayama Kobo

The story of Okayama Kobo begins with Kawakami-san (Tsunetaka Kawakami), who couldn't afford to attend university. Instead, he worked at a small chain of bakeries in Japan, practicing and learning until his skills matched – and eventually surpassed – his supervisors.

In 1986, he opened his first bakery in Japan and eventually established Bakery House Okayama Kobo in Okayama City (岡山県岡山市 the name comes from there!).

Kawakami-san's philosophy was simple but revolutionary: bread should be made fresh, with pure ingredients, and served with care.

He believed that by focusing on quality over quantity – using the finest Hokkaido flour, eliminating additives and preservatives, and baking in small batches throughout the day – he could create bread that truly nourishes people.

By the way, "Kobo" (工房) means "workshop" or "studio" in Japanese. So the name literally translates to "Okayama Workshop," – which I think beautifully captures the artisan spirit of the place.

When you visit, you feel as if you're stepping into a craftsman's workshop, where every loaf is made with intention and pride.

What Makes Their Bread So Special?

Here's what I love about Okayama Kobo – their philosophy is just one word: Simple.

"To provide freshly made quality bread in an environment you love to be in."

Wall at Okayama Kobo Cafe

That's it. Simple. And they stick to it with these four principles:

1. 100% Hokkaido Flour
   
   All their flour is imported directly from Hokkaido, Japan. (北海道) They use a proprietary blend that's exclusive to Okayama Kobo. Hokkaido flour has a higher protein content than standard wheat, which is what gives their bread that distinctively soft, cloud-like texture.
   
   
2. No Additives, No Preservatives
   
   This is huge. Their dough contains zero additives or preservatives. Because of this commitment to purity, the bread has a natural 2-day shelf life. (Though honestly, I've never had their bread last that long in my house!)
   
   
3. Fresh Every 30 Minutes
   
   This is not an exaggeration – bread comes out of the ovens every 30 minutes throughout their operating hours. 
   
   At Anaheim Cafe, you can see them actually baking behind the counter through the window. At the Laguna Niguel cafe, you can see them closer behind the counter.
   
   It's so nice to see them when we are lining up to get the bread!
   
   
4. Quality Without Compromise
   Fast, craveable meals without sacrificing ingredients or service. That's the promise.

Must-Try Items at Okayama Kobo

If you've never been to Okayama Kobo, let me give you some recommendations.

These are the items I always tell people to try:

• Salt & Butter Roll – This is THE signature item. It looks like a croissant, but inside there's butter that melts in your mouth as you bite into it. The bottom is slightly crispy, creating a notable textural contrast. They also have variations:
  • Cookie Salt & Butter Roll (sweet cookie crust on top)
  • Red Bean Salt & Butter Roll
  • Mentai Salt & Butter (spicy cod roe – so good!)
  • Tomato Basil Salt & Butter (DTLA Only)

• Shokupan (Japanese Milk Bread) – This is the impossibly soft, fluffy white bread that Japan is famous for. You can buy it in half or whole loaves. It's incredible toasted with butter, or use it for sandwiches. The texture is just... chef's kiss.
  
  I am so happy I recently purchased a Balmuda Toaster. Try baking this bread in the toaster at home, OMG, it is heaven!  I love Balmuda. (Check what we wrote about their Coffee Maker and Tea Kettle here)
  
  
• Curry Pan – Baked panko-crusted bread filled with Japanese-style curry. Get it fresh from the oven if you can – the contrast between the crispy exterior and the warm curry inside is heavenly. Available in regular and spicy.
  
  
• Kobo Kuma – An adorable bear-shaped bread filled with vanilla bean custard cream. Almost too cute to eat. Almost.
  
  
  
  
• Chocolate Emoji – A soft sweet bun with dark chocolate and vanilla bean custard cream, topped with expressive emoji faces. Fun and delicious!
  
  
  
  
• Japanini – Their take on a panini: Japanese bread with shiso leaf, basil pesto, bacon, cheese, and tomato.
  
  
• Yokohama Peach (Drink Menu) - Last but not least, please let me mention that we are so honored that Okayama Kobo now carries our Yokohama Peach on their drink menu (at Anaheim, DTLA, and Laguna Niguel - not yet at Honolulu cafe)
  
  Here is the drink menu at DTLA Cafe.  Okayama Kobo has added our logo to the menu! So nice of them. Thank you very much!! (^^)
  
  

  Miki and Yokohama Peach Cold and Yokohama Peach Hot

They also offer seasonal specials that rotate throughout the year, including Matcha Mochi An-pan, Kabocha Custard for fall, Chestnut Red Bean Milk Cube, and more. Always worth asking what's new!

Now, let me explain about each of the US Cafes of Okayama Kobo.

Okayama Kobo Anaheim – The Original US Location

This is where it all started in America, and this is where our pop-up will be on February 8th, 2026!

Okayama Kobo Anaheim opened on July 1, 2018, as the very first US location.

It's located on the Center Street Promenade in Downtown Anaheim – just a few blocks from Disneyland!

When I go to Disneyland, I always stop by this Cafe and pick up some to-go items to bring to the park.  Disneyland allows you to bring food and water inside (as of Feb 2026; please check the latest regulations before you do).  Much more economical, and I believe Kuma tastes much better than Micky Mouse :) [This is just my opinion] 

The area around the bakery is really charming.

Center Street Promenade features a tree-lined corridor with public art, outdoor cafes, and artisan boutiques.

If you're visiting Disneyland and want a break from the parks, this is a great neighborhood to explore.

Nearby, you'll find:

• Anaheim Packing House – a beautiful food hall in a converted 1919 citrus packing facility (about a 10-minute walk)
• Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center – right across the street
• Anaheim Ice – a skating rink designed by famous architect Frank Gehry!

Inside Okayama Kobo Anaheim Cafe. I took this picture at the end of the day, but you usually see a pack of people here!

The Anaheim location is designed as an order-and-go concept with no indoor seating.

But don't worry – there's outdoor seating on the Center Street Promenade patio where you can enjoy your treats.

Outside Seating Area - It is so nice to sit here and have the bread and drink

The small footprint actually helps them maintain their commitment to baking fresh bread every 30 minutes.

One thing to know: this location serves drip coffee from Mameya Coffee – a Japanese coffee roaster from Kobe. More on them here, but their coffee has these lovely notes of almond, brown sugar, and plum that pair perfectly with the bread.

Tips for Visiting
Expect a line. This is a popular spot! But the line moves at a decent pace, and honestly, it's worth it.

Pro tip: If you just want drinks, there's a separate entrance that moves faster.

Parking: As mentioned earlier, free street parking (90-minute limit) and a nearby garage with 2 hours free with validation (garage 3 and 5 only).

Visit Okayama Kobo Anaheim

Address: 155 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805
Phone: (714) 603-7332
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (CLOSED Monday)

Okayama Kobo DTLA – Little Tokyo's Hidden Gem

Inside the Miyako Hotel

The DTLA location opened in January 2022 as Okayama Kobo's second directly-operated US store. It's tucked inside the lobby of the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo, which I think is such a perfect location.

A short video of Miki waiting at DTLA Okayama Kobo

When you walk in, you'll notice a calming color palette of sage green, white, and brown, with soft music playing. The space is intimate and cozy.

Fun detail: the Miyako Hotel building features a massive Shohei Ohtani mural on its exterior wall – a 15-story, 150-foot-tall portrait painted by Boyle Heights artist Robert Vargas in March 2024.

It has become a major landmark and tourist attraction. The bakery staff even wear LA Dodgers caps as part of their uniform. It's a nice touch that shows how connected the bakery is to both Japanese culture and its LA community.

Being in Little Tokyo means you're surrounded by amazing Japanese culture.

Within walking distance, you'll find:

• Japanese Village Plaza Mall – shops, restaurants, and that iconic fire tower
• Fugetsu-Do Sweet Shop – they've been making mochi since 1903!
• Japanese American National Museum
• Little Tokyo/Arts District Metro Station – makes it easy to get here without driving

The DTLA location is smaller than Anaheim, so seating is limited. But the colored window portions filter the light beautifully, and it feels like a little escape from the busy city outside.

Drink recommendation: The Banana Crème Matcha Latte is a DTLA signature. Ceremonial grade matcha with house-made foam – reviewers say it's "borderline milkshake" territory. (and don't forget Yokohama Peach please : )

Other favorites include the Rose Matcha Latte (strawberry sakura), Kobo-jicha Latte with oat milk and cinnamon, and Ube Latte.

Tips for Visiting
Parking: This is the tricky part. The Miyako Hotel does not validate parking, so you'll need to find alternatives:

• Aiso Parking Garage (nearby)
• Japanese Village Plaza Parking Lot (Typical cost: around $8)
• Street meter parking - if you just go more than one block, it is easier to find (from my experience). 

Inside Okayama Kobo DTLA

Local tip: Some regulars recommend parking at the nearby Vons lot and walking over.

For larger orders: Call the location directly. Online pre-orders are limited to 5 items.

Best time to visit: Weekday mornings tend to be less crowded than weekends.

Visit Okayama Kobo DTLA

Address: 328 E 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(Inside Miyako Hotel, First Floor Lobby)

Phone: (213) 513-4282
Hours: Open daily, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Online Orders: okayama-kobo-dtla.square.site (next-day pickup, limited to 5 items)

Okayama Kobo Laguna Niguel – The New Kid on the Block

This is Okayama Kobo's newest US location, having just opened in September 2025.

It's located in the Laguna Niguel Promenade shopping center, bringing authentic Japanese bread to South Orange County.

The shopping center sits at the intersection of Aliso Creek Road and La Paz Road, serving the communities of Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo.

Major tenants include 24 Hour Fitness and Grocery Outlet, so it's easy to combine your bakery visit with other errands.

Being newer, they've already started introducing exclusive items – in January 2026, they announced a Matcha Red Bean Cube that sounds amazing.

The location offers some outdoor seating, but there is more outside seating next to Mameya (see below)

Mameya Coffee Right Next Door! (@mameya.usa)

Okay, here's what makes this location REALLY special for Japanese food enthusiasts:

Mameya Coffee Roasters is literally right next door at 27931 La Paz Rd Suite E. This is the first US location of the acclaimed Kobe-based coffee roaster!

Inside Mameya, heaven for coffee lovers!

Let me tell you about Mameya, because their coffee is something else.

First, a quick clarification: there's a famous coffee shop called "Mameya" in Tokyo (in the Omotesando area), but this is a different company. Mameya Coffee Roasters is from Kobe, Japan, and they have multiple locations there, including Suma, Shukugawa, Rokko, and Higashi Kakogawa. It's a family business – the person running the US location's father runs the Kobe operations.

I like the wall decoration with different Japanese-themed coffee cups with their logo on them.

What makes Mameya special is its commitment to Japanese precision and customization:

• You can watch your beans roasted on-site (takes about 15-20 minutes)
• Choose from more than a dozen green coffee bean varieties
• Select your preferred roast level (from Cinnamon light through Italian dark)
• Specify your desired grind

They even have rare geisha coffee beans for the true coffee enthusiast.

Here's something interesting: Mameya has a no-espresso philosophy.

They focus exclusively on pour-over coffee to highlight each bean's true flavor profile.

For Okayama Kobo, Mameya created an exclusive blend called "KUMA Drip Coffee" – a medium roast with smooth, full-bodied complexity featuring notes of almond, brown sugar, and plum.

It was specifically designed to pair with freshly baked bread without overpowering delicate pastry flavors.

I tried their signature KOBE Blend during my visit, and it was excellent. It had a bit of kick and spice, not acidic, and incredibly smooth. Honestly, one of the best drip coffees I've ever had. I'm not exaggerating.

Good bread from Okayama Kobo with a KOBE Blend drip coffee, it is just an amazing combination! 

Tips for Visiting
Parking: This shopping center has plenty of parking – much easier than the DTLA location!

Combine your visit: Get bread at Okayama Kobo, then walk next door to Mameya for coffee. It's the perfect Japanese café experience.
New location perks: Since it just opened, lines might be shorter here than at the more established locations (though that could change as word spreads!).

Visit Okayama Kobo Laguna Niguel

Address: 27931 La Paz Rd, Suite B, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Phone: (949) 208-1877
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, CLOSED Monday

Okayama Kobo Honolulu – Aloha and Fresh Bread

Sorry, I don't have any pictures of this cafe as I haven't visited yet! I'll make sure to stop by when I visit Hawaii next time. (I want to go today!!)

Here are some notes on the cafe, but they are not based on my personal experience.

Okayama Kobo Honolulu opened on November 15, 2023, in the Kakaako/Ward Village neighborhood – just a 5-minute drive from Waikiki.

The space is compact at 817 square feet (it was actually a Starbucks for many years).

From what I've seen online, there's a whimsical "Bread Clock" in the middle of the bakery – instead of numbers, it has different mini breads! Such a cute touch.

Kakaako itself has transformed over the years from warehouses into a trendy district with condos, cafes, and restaurants. It's right by the Ward movie theaters and Whole Foods.

The Honolulu menu has some items tailored to local tastes:

• Mentai Salt & Butter
• Everything Salt & Butter – everything bagel toppings on a roll
• The Bacon – with Kewpie mayo and black pepper
• Oyaki Takana – spicy pickled mustard greens with cheese and mayo

Their signature drink is the Matcha Sea Salt Cold Brew – caramel cold brew topped with matcha sea salt cream foam.

Visit Okayama Kobo Honolulul

Address: 310 Kamakee St, Unit 06, Honolulu, HI 96814
Phone: (808) 888-0724
Instagram: (Separate Account from California one) @okayamakobohawaii
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (CLOSED Monday)

Conclusion

We are so honored and excited to partner with Okayama Kobo.

Next time you're in DTLA, Anaheim, Laguna Niguel, or Hawaii, please check out their amazing bread – and we hope you can try our Yokohama Peach too!

I want to mention that everyone we've worked with on this dream collaboration has been wonderful.

From the Okayama Kobo team to the Takumi Alley organizers, it's been a joy connecting with people who share our passion for bringing authentic Japanese experiences to our communities.

We look forward to continuing this journey together – and we hope to see you at one of these amazing locations soon!

And don't forget about our February 8, 2026 pop-up at Okayama Kobo Anaheim! Stop by, grab some fresh bread, try some tea, check out the Takumi Alley artisan market, and say hi.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Picture with the Store Manager, Maricela (Right), Miki (Left), and me (Middle)

Quick Reference: All Okayama Kobo Locations

Location	Address	Phone	Hours	Yokohama Peach?
Anaheim	155 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim, CA 92805 (Google Map)	(714) 603-7332	Tue-Sun 8am-4pm	✅ Yes
DTLA (Little Tokyo)	328 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (Miyako Hotel) (Google Map)	(213) 513-4282	Daily 7am-4pm	✅ Yes
Laguna Niguel	27931 La Paz Rd, Suite B, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 (Google Map)	(949) 208-1877	Tue-Sun 8am-4pm	✅ Yes
Honolulu	310 Kamakee St, Unit 06, Honolulu, HI 96814 (Google Map)	(808) 888-0724	Tue-Sun 8am-4pm	❌ Not yet

Okayama Kobo Website: okayamakobousa.com
Okayama Kobo Instagram: @okayamakobousa (California), @okayamakobohawaii (Hawaii)

• Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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- Kei and Team at Japanese Green Tea Co.