Review of the Famous Bakery “Penny Lane” at Tokyo SKYTREE's shopping mall "Tokyo Solamachi" ! Introducing the Popularity Rankings

On May 20, 2022, “Bakery & Public PENNY LANE Solamachi,” the first PENNY LANE location in Tokyo, opened at Tokyo Solamachi, which is directly connected to Tokyo Skytree. PENNY LANE is a renowned bakery that any bread lover—and indeed any foodie—has surely heard of at least once. In this article, we’ll sample and review PENNY LANE’s popular breads as well as those exclusive to the new Tokyo Solamachi location.

What is “PENNY LANE,” the popular bakery in Tokyo Solamachi?

PENNY LANE is a bakery located in Nasu Town, Nasu District, Tochigi Prefecture. The shop’s name is derived from the Beatles’ song “Penny Lane,” and Beatles memorabilia is displayed throughout the store.

Penny Lane won the Freshly Baked Bread Shop Championship on the TV Tokyo program “TV Champion,” which aired from April 1992 to September 2006, and the name Penny Lane instantly became famous throughout the country. Today, the chain operates five stores in Tochigi Prefecture, one in Ibaraki Prefecture, one in Chiba Prefecture, and has now opened its first location in Tokyo.

“Bakery & Public PENNY LANE Solamachi” Makes Its Long-Awaited Grand Opening at Tokyo Solamachi

Following a soft opening from May 3 to 15, 2022, the new “Bakery & Public PENNY LANE Solamachi” store opened on May 20 inside “Tokyo Solamachi,” a shopping mall directly connected to Tokyo Skytree. This location was previously home to the “KFC Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi” store. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this much-talked-about new store so appealing.

The photogenic interior, with its exotic atmosphere, is incredibly stylish.

When you step inside, you’re greeted by a stylish space that makes you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time to Britain of yesteryear. The interior, brimming with love for The Beatles, is adorned with photos and posters everywhere, making it seem as if the band’s popularity back then has been perfectly recreated.

The chic yet elegant interior, reminiscent of traditional British architecture, makes you forget for a moment that you’re in a bakery.

Let yourself be enveloped by the aroma of freshly baked bread and the music of The Beatles playing in the background

Inside the shop, the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air, accompanied by the soothing sounds of The Beatles playing in the background. The large table at the front is lined with beautifully golden-brown loaves—each one so tempting it’s hard to choose just one. I stopped by right after they opened, and since some loaves were still in the oven, I’d recommend visiting a few times at different times of the day.

We offer a wide variety of breads, ranging from classic white bread and croissants to many other options. In addition to bread, we also carry baked goods like scones and cookies—perfect as gifts—as well as essentials for an English afternoon tea, such as honey and tea.

You can use the dining area until 4:30 p.m.!

The Penny Lane Tokyo Solamachi location features a dedicated dining area. With Beatles music playing softly in the background, it’s a stylish space with a calm, British-inspired atmosphere.

The dine-in area is open until 4:30 p.m., and it’s a real treat to enjoy their exquisite bread in Penny Lane’s stylish setting! You can also order to have the bread you’ve purchased reheated while you’re in the store. Since freshly baked bread first thing in the morning is best enjoyed right there, be sure to stop by!

Starting at 5:00 p.m., we'll be serving alcohol to the general public, too! ♪

Another highlight here is the pub. Originating in the UK, it’s a beloved gathering spot for locals. It opens at 5:00 p.m., with last orders at 10:00 p.m., and stays open until 11:00 p.m. The stylish counter is lined with rows of liquor bottles, which are sure to set the mood for a wonderful evening. If you’re visiting Tokyo Skytree on a date, be sure to check it out.

The restaurant features a variety of seating options, including sofas, tables, and counter seats, making it easy to choose the perfect spot depending on the occasion and the size of your group. You can relax and enjoy a leisurely moment while letting yourself be carried away by the soothing music of The Beatles.

A Review of Penny Lane’s Top 5 Most Popular Breads at the Tokyo Solamachi Store

*The rankings listed here are based on information gathered during a visit to the store in January 2026.

Penny Lane offers a wide variety of breads, including the famous loaf that helped the shop win the TV Champion competition. Many of their breads sell out by mid-morning, and the top-ranked ones are all must-try items. Here, we’ll introduce the popularity rankings for the breads at the Penny Lane Solamachi store and share our firsthand tasting reviews.

No. 1 Best-Seller: “Blueberry Bread”

First up is the “Blueberry Bread,” which is consistently the top seller at Penny Lane. It comes in two sizes: a full loaf and a half-loaf. If you’re trying it for the first time, we recommend the half-loaf. It’s swirled with plenty of blueberry jam, and the cross-section looks adorable when sliced.

When you take it out of the bag, a light, airy aroma wafts up, hinting at the tartness and sweetness of blueberries. When you take a bite, you’ll find it’s a dense, substantial loaf of bread with a distinctive, chewy texture. No matter where you bite into it, you’ll taste the rich sweetness of the blueberry jam, and the generous amount of blueberries is truly satisfying. The blueberries kneaded into the dough themselves had a subtle, refined aroma that perfectly complemented the rich jam filling. It tasted absolutely exceptional when lightly toasted and topped with butter.

No. 2 in Popularity: “Apple Star”

Next up is “Ringo Star,” the second most popular item at this shop—which is named after a Beatles member and whose love for the band is even reflected in the names of its breads. It’s Penny Lane’s version of an apple danish, featuring a crispy danish pastry filled with plenty of apples and custard. It looks big and is quite substantial, making it perfect for a snack.

Inside each slice, finely chopped apples are packed so tightly they’re practically overflowing. The crispy Danish pastry pairs perfectly with the crunchy texture of the apples. The juicy sweetness of the apples blends harmoniously with the subtly flavored custard, creating a well-balanced taste, and the toasty aroma of the almond topping adds an exquisite finishing touch. The slits in the pastry are perfectly bite-sized, and since the Danish dough doesn’t tend to stick to your mouth, it’s easy for women to enjoy as well.

No. 3 in Popularity: “Gorgonzola”

Among the popular breads featured here, the “Gorgonzola” is the only hard-crust variety. This bread, packed with walnuts, is filled with Gorgonzola cheese and honey. The strong aroma of cheese wafts from it, clearly indicating that it’s generously filled with Gorgonzola. With its substantial appearance, it’s sure to add a touch of elegance to a stylish dinner at home.

Before actually tasting it, the strong aroma of Gorgonzola led me to expect a rich, intense cheese flavor. However, from the very first bite, I was struck by the exquisite balance—the gentle sweetness of the honey perfectly complementing the Gorgonzola’s flavor. The saltiness of the bread itself, combined with the nutty aroma of the walnuts and the textural contrast that follows, is simply irresistible. To be honest, I’ve never been a fan of Gorgonzola’s distinctive flavor, but this version struck me as a delicious, crowd-pleasing taste that anyone would enjoy.

No. 4 on the Popularity List: “Chocolate Croissant”

This is the “Chocolate Croissant,” famous even at popular café chains. It’s a croissant—a well-known favorite—that’s wrapped around a chocolate bar and baked, offering a rich, indulgent flavor. Its generous size makes it satisfying even as a single piece, which is part of its appeal.

Inside the flaky croissant is a generous amount of rich chocolate. The buttery flavor of the croissant pairs perfectly with the chocolate’s depth and sweetness, while the almond topping adds a delightful textural contrast. Since the chocolate itself also contains crushed almonds, the resulting flavor combines the toasty aroma and rich texture of the chocolate with the flaky croissant dough for a truly satisfying taste.

No. 5 on the Popularity List: “Panini”

This is a “panini,” a sandwich that originated in Italy. It’s filled with bacon and mozzarella cheese, letting you enjoy this classic combination. The appetizing grill marks from being pressed give it an appealing look, and it’s just the right size for a light meal.

Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, the rich flavor of the cheese fills your mouth. The thin slices of bacon add a perfect touch, creating a harmonious blend of the bread, cheese, and bacon. There’s also a subtle hint of black pepper. The bottom half of the bread is spread with a creamy cheese that enhances the flavor, while the top half is topped with a sauce reminiscent of béchamel. It was a panini that struck a perfect balance between the cheese’s tanginess and richness.

A Review of Products Exclusive to the Tokyo Solamachi Store

At Penny Lane’s Tokyo Solamachi location, the store-exclusive breads—available only here—are a major draw. While some of these were initially store-exclusive items, the positive response has led to them becoming regular items carried at other locations as well, so Penny Lane fans should definitely check them out.

“Tochiotome Cream Cheese”

First up is the “Tochiotome Cream Cheese,” a bread that has been a favorite since the store opened and was originally released as an exclusive item at the Tokyo Solamachi location. It features a generous amount of “Tochiotome,” a brand of strawberries from Tochigi Prefecture, where Penny Lane’s flagship store is located. Its adorable pink appearance comes from the Tochiotome strawberries kneaded into the dough, and the filling—a perfect combination of Penny Lane’s original Tochiotome jam and cream cheese—makes for a truly delightful treat.

When you actually try it, you’ll be surprised by the generous chunks of rich cream cheese inside. The original Tochiotome strawberry jam included with it strikes a perfect balance that brings out the natural sweetness and tartness of the strawberries. It has a natural sweetness that doesn’t taste overly sugary, and the bread has a distinct wheat aroma and a slightly chewy texture. We recommend eating it fresh out of the oven.

“Thick-Cut Bacon Potato Sandwich” (Exclusive to the Tokyo Solamachi Store)

The “Thick-Cut Bacon Potato Sandwich” is sure to whet your appetite with its visually striking, overflowing thick-cut bacon. Assembled to resemble a hamburger, it features thick-cut bacon, potato salad, and red cheddar cheese sandwiched between the buns. While Penny Lane is often associated with sweet breads, the Solamachi location offers an extensive selection of savory sandwiches as well—and the Tokyo Solamachi-exclusive sandwich is definitely one you’ll want to try.

When you take a bite, the meaty bacon and potato salad blend together perfectly. The thick-cut bacon really stands out, and you can detect a subtle smoky flavor. The potato salad is a simple version made with just potatoes; it’s seasoned so that the potato flavor really shines through, rather than being overpowered by mayonnaise. The red cheddar cheese also plays a great role in bringing the bacon and potato salad together perfectly. The bread has a semi-hard crust, but the interior is soft and fluffy, creating a gentle, enveloping flavor that perfectly complements the fillings.

In addition to our in-store exclusive breads, we offer a wide selection of other delicious breads♪

We’ve introduced Penny Lane’s Tokyo Solamachi branch’s popularity rankings and store-exclusive breads, but they also offer a wide variety of other options♪ Here, we’ve compiled reviews of the breads we’ve previously tasted and featured, so be sure to check them out if any catch your eye.

What are the reviews and feedback on Penny Lane?

Penny Lane has a large fan base and is highly regarded for its delicious bread, as well as for being a popular spot where dog lovers bring their pets.

On the other hand, some customers have noted that the flavors tend to be on the sweeter side overall. The Tokyo Solamachi location offers a wide selection of savory breads, such as “quiche” and “basil sausage croissants,” so be sure to give them a try.

If you visit Tokyo Skytree, be sure to stop by “Penny Lane,” a renowned bakery in the Kanto region!

We’ve introduced Penny Lane, a new hotspot at Tokyo Solamachi that’s been gaining attention. Be sure to stop by when you visit Tokyo Skytree.

Penny Lane is also famous for attracting many visitors with their dogs. We asked a staff member, and they told us that dogs are welcome on the outdoor terrace. While they aren’t allowed inside Tokyo Solamachi, we recommend stopping by while you’re out for a walk.

Store Information

Store Name	Bakery & Public Penny Lane Soramachi ten
Address	1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo; Tokyo Solamachi, 1st Floor, East Yard, Lot 9
Business Hours	・Bakery: 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ・Public: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Drinks for dine-in and takeout only) 5:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. (Food served) *Last order for food: 9:30 p.m. *Last order for drinks: 10:00 p.m.

Store Name	Bakery & Public Penny Lane Soramachi ten
Address	1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo; Tokyo Solamachi, 1st Floor, East Yard, Lot 9
Business Hours	・Bakery: 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ・Public: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Drinks for dine-in and takeout only) 5:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. (Food served) *Last order for food: 9:30 p.m. *Last order for drinks: 10:00 p.m.

※Taste reviews are based on personal impressions. Individual experiences may vary, so we hope you find this helpful.