Gentle Sweetness and a Warm Story at the End of a Small Path
Are you raising little ones and thinking there’s never time to slowly pick out a treat?
Today I’m featuring BAKE IT!, a small baked-goods workshop at the end of a little path, about a 2-minute walk from Higashi-Zushi Station. According to an article in the Kanagawa Shimbun (Kanaloco), it’s popular for its gentle sweetness made with carefully chosen ingredients, such as Hokkaido flour and cultured butter. When I visited for the interview, I found more than just sweets. I found a warm story about a family supporting one another.
Charm ①: Affordable, Gentle Flavors You’ll Want to Buy More Of
What we tried that day included Caramel Nut (260 yen), Pound Cake (220 yen), Madeleine (330 yen), and Chocolate Chip Cookie (230 yen). Among them, the shortbread stamped with “BAKE IT” is a true original, since the shop began as a shortbread specialty shop.
The shortbread stamped with “BAKE IT” was especially delicious, and before I knew it, my hand kept reaching for another one (lol)
※I visited in July. The menu changes with the season and the day, so think of it as a little surprise when you come by.
Charm ②: A Life Made Entirely of Sweets, Found After Leaving the Office
The owner, Hinorika-san, began making sweets in elementary school, inspired by her mother. She kept baking while working as an office employee, and in her 40s she made up her mind: “I want to settle on one lifework.” After a stretch of long hours and weekend work, she felt that maybe it was time, and that feeling led her to decide to make her living from sweets alone.
Rather than sweets just for special occasions, she hopes her baked goods will be a small everyday gift, or a reward for yourself after a hard-working day. That wish is baked into every single one of them.
Charm ③: A Small Sweets Hut Born in the Garden
Hinorika-san started out without a storefront, selling only at events, through custom orders, and wholesale. She wanted a sales space that met health department standards, so she built a hut on the grounds of her home and opened it as “BAKE IT!” in 2017 (from the Kanaloco article). The shop name carries the meaning “let’s bake anything.”
Because it’s not in a prominent spot, the joy of being discovered must be all the greater. That’s the part of the story that stayed with me.
Although it isn’t in a prominent location, word has spread by word of mouth, and it’s easy to see why so many people choose it as a gift or come back again and again. Hinorika-san says her greatest encouragement is hearing people say, “This one is the most delicious.”
Charm ④: A Warm Atmosphere, With the Whole Family Cheering Her On
On the day I visited, her son, a university student, stopped by the shop. “I’m rooting for Mom,” he said, and his favorite item is the Madeleine. Her daughter, whom I didn’t get to meet in person, also sent a powerful message of encouragement: “As long as you keep going, it can’t be a minus.” And her husband, I hear, is Hinorika-san’s number-one cheerleader.
I felt that the way the whole family cheers each other on so naturally is part of what makes this shop feel so warm.
Hinorika-san also dreams of someday opening a café where you can eat in. “I’d really like to try a place that serves alcohol, too, but I’ll set that aside for now,” she said with a laugh. For the time being, she told me, she’d like to make it possible to eat on the front deck.
Notes for Babies and Families with Kids
These baked goods are perfect as an afternoon snack once kids have graduated from baby food, or as a treat to bring when you meet up with other moms.
Information for Dog Owners
The shop’s resident dog, Ginger-chan (a long-haired female Weimaraner), may be there to greet you. I haven’t confirmed whether dogs can come inside with you, so please check before your visit.
Access Information
Address: 1-6-29 Numa, Zushi City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Hours: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closes when sold out)
Closed: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Parking: Unconfirmed
Phone: 080-7588-2258
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bakeit_zushi/
Summary: Big Warmth From a Small Hut
BAKE IT! is a shop born from its owner Hinorika-san’s cherished belief in “a small reward for an ordinary day.” The decision to leave the office, the hut built in the garden, and a family that supports one another: each of these seems to overlap with the flavor of every baked good.
When you visit Higashi-Zushi, please take a peek into the small hut at the end of the path.
Hayanavi will keep introducing small shops in the Hayama and Zushi area. We also post on Instagram almost every day. Please join the Hayanavi community, and give us a follow!
Hi, this is Peli from Hayanavi!
Hayanavi brings you lovely spots in Hayama.
We also post on Instagram almost every day! Please give us a follow! Instagram link