Portland Bakery Oyatsupan Launches Shokupan-Focused Bread Workshop

Pan Kobo will allow the bakery to experiment with new Japanese milk bread variations.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:52pm by

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print featuring a repeated image of a single shokupan loaf in a grid pattern, using bold neon colors and heavy black outlines to transform the everyday bread into a modern pop art piece.Oyatsupan's new Pan Kobo facility celebrates the artistry and tradition of Japanese milk bread with an expanded focus on shokupan production and experimentation.Portland Today

Portland's Oyatsupan bakery has opened a new facility called Pan Kobo, which will be dedicated entirely to the production and development of shokupan, Japan's iconic milk bread. The new space, whose name translates to 'bread workshop' or 'art studio' in Japanese, will allow Oyatsupan's owner and head baker Hiroyuki Horie to experiment with new shokupan recipes and variations as the bakery celebrates its 10th anniversary in the city.

Why it matters

Shokupan has grown in popularity in the United States in recent years, and the opening of Pan Kobo represents Oyatsupan's commitment to preserving the tradition and quality of this beloved Japanese bread while also exploring new creative directions.

The details

Pan Kobo will serve as a dedicated facility for Oyatsupan to focus solely on the production and development of shokupan, Japan's soft, fluffy milk bread. The new space will allow head baker Hiroyuki Horie to experiment with new shokupan variations beyond Oyatsupan's existing offerings.

  • Oyatsupan is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Portland this year.
  • Pan Kobo, the new shokupan-focused facility, just opened in April 2026.

The players

Oyatsupan

A Portland bakery known for its high-quality Japanese milk bread and other Japanese-inspired baked goods.

Hiroyuki Horie

The owner and head baker of Oyatsupan, who will be leading the development of new shokupan recipes and variations at the new Pan Kobo facility.

Tara Mead

The bakery manager at Oyatsupan, who will be discussing the new Pan Kobo space.

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The takeaway

The opening of Pan Kobo represents Oyatsupan's continued commitment to preserving and evolving the tradition of high-quality Japanese milk bread in Portland, as the bakery celebrates a decade of serving the local community.