The Western confectionery shop "Wohl Wollen" was established in Mabi, Kurashiki City in 2000, and this year (2025) marks its 25th anniversary.
The name Wohl Wollen means "thoughtfulness" or "kindness" in German. The shop owner Sato Atsushi, who is from Yokohama, chose the location in Mabi due to the warm connections with the local people and his sincere passion for making sweets.
We interviewed him about his commitment to cakes and his thoughts.
40 Years of Commitment to Confectionery Making
Sato began his journey in confectionery making at the age of 18 when he enrolled in a vocational school.
After graduating from vocational school, he studied further in Western confectionery making by studying abroad in Austria for six months.
Upon returning to Japan, he started a journey visiting famous shops across Tohoku to Kyushu, focusing on shops where his friends from vocational school worked.
During his travels, he heard about the Western confectionery shop "Mozart" in Okayama City and visited it. His enthusiastic observation was recognized, and he was hired by Mozart.
This marked the beginning of his career in Okayama.
After five years of working, in 2000, he opened his own shop in Mabi, the hometown of his wife.
After the Heavy Rain Disaster in July 2018
The heavy rain disaster in July 2018 caused significant damage to Wohl Wollen.
The store was flooded, and it became impossible to continue operations, leading to a temporary closure. However, upon hearing from the architect that repairs were possible, Sato immediately began recovery work.
The staff at that time also said, "If the shop reopens, we will return."
Inquiries from customers asking, "When will you reopen?" also encouraged him, and the shop resumed operations in December 2018.
The heavy rain disaster became a significant turning point for the shop.
Sato had originally wanted to focus on baked goods, but at the time of opening, the number of staff was small, and they were overwhelmed with just making cakes.
During the closure period, he secured time to review the production system for baked goods while also working on the store's recovery.
Considering the ease of work for the staff and the efficiency of operations, he gradually set up an environment that could enhance the quality of the sweets, such as introducing machines for preparation and baking.
A Store Filled with Many Cakes and Baked Goods
During the interview, the store was just in the Halloween season, so limited-time baked goods were also available.
The showcase displayed classic cakes and cakes made with seasonal fruits, making it hard to choose.
Lineup of Popular Products
Here are some of the popular products from Wohl Wollen.
Strawberry Pie
On top of the crispy pie crust, there is custard cream and plenty of strawberries.
With a not-too-sweet flavor, you might find yourself finishing it in one go.
Matcha Matsukaze Fresh Roll
Next, we introduce the "Matcha Matsukaze Fresh Roll", which has been available since 2003.
This roll cake is made with plenty of matcha "Matsukaze" from Kyoto, and when you take a bite of the fluffy dough, the sweetness of the cream is followed by the aroma and refined bitterness of matcha.
Despite its large size, its deliciousness makes it hard to stop eating.
Sato's Recommendation: Sachertorte
One item that Sato is particularly attached to is the authentic Sachertorte.
One reason he studied abroad in Austria was his love for this cake, and the experience he gained during that time is reflected in its flavor.
With one bite, the sweetness of chocolate and the tartness of apricot jam become addictive. The chocolate has a crispy texture, allowing you to enjoy various textures within a single cake, which is also appealing.
The Sachertorte, which is also popular among the staff, may appear simple, but the depth that unfolds in your mouth is impressive.
Recommended for Gifts: Baked Goods
Popular baked goods include "Mabi-yaki", the leaf pie "Hagoromo Hitohira", and "Setouchi Lemon Cake".
Each has a different texture and flavor, with options ranging from hard to soft, allowing customers to choose according to their preferences.
Mabi-yaki is a Western-style manju (sweet bun) that has been available since 2012.
The impetus for selling it came from local customers asking, "Do you have any sweets that can be offered as offerings?"
Sato visited a friend from his vocational school who lives in Fukushima Prefecture, where he learned how to cook the red beans for wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) and how to wrap the manju skin, and after repeated trials, he completed it.
Visually Fun Christmas Cakes
From November, reservations for Christmas cakes have started.
This year (2025), a new product "Matcha Cheesecake Noel" will also be available.
It is not uncommon for popular products to sell out quickly after reservations start.
(No. 6 "Santa's Strawberry Pie" is already sold out)
Please make your reservations early.
We spoke with Sato, who has been delivering cakes and baked goods in Mabi for 25 years.
Wall Warren Data
| Name | Wall Warren |
|---|---|
| Address | 538-4 Kawabe, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-697-0876 |
| Parking | Available 9 cars |
| Business Hours | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Monday If Monday is a holiday, open, and the following day is closed |
| Payment Methods |
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| Homepage | Wall Warren |
