Founded in 2000 in Mabi, Kurashiki City, the Western-style confectionery shop “Wohl Wollen” celebrates its 25th anniversary this year (2025).
The shop name Wohl Wollen means “thoughtfulness” or “kindness” in German. The story behind owner Atsushi Sato (from Yokohama) choosing Mabi is filled with warm connections with local people and his sincere passion for making sweets.
We spoke with him about his dedication to cakes and his thoughts as the owner.
The information presented was current when this article was published in November 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
40 years devoted to making sweets
Sato enrolled in a vocational school at age 18 and began his career in confectionery.
After graduating, he studied in Austria for six months to learn more about making Western-style sweets.
After returning to Japan, he began traveling around Japan, from Tohoku to Kyushu, visiting famous shops, especially those where friends he had met at vocational school worked.
During his travels, he heard about the confectionery shop “Mozart” in Okayama City and went to visit. The staff were impressed by how attentively Sato observed the shop, and he was hired by Mozart on the spot.
This marked the beginning of his career in Okayama.
In 2000, five years after he started working there, he opened his own shop in Mabi, his wife’s hometown.
After the July 2018 torrential rains
The July 2018 torrential rains caused extensive damage to Wohl Wollen as well.
The shop was flooded and had to close temporarily because it could no longer operate. However, when an architect told him repairs were possible, Sato immediately began restoration work.
His staff at the time reportedly told him, “If the shop reopens, we’ll come back.” Inquiries from customers asking, “When will you reopen?” also encouraged him, and the shop resumed business in December 2018.
The flood disaster was a major turning point for the shop.
Sato had already wanted to focus more on baked goods, but when the shop first opened, there were few staff members, and they were fully occupied with making cakes.
During the closure, he made time to review the baked-goods production system while carrying out restoration work on the shop.
Considering staff comfort and improving work efficiency, they gradually created an environment that would improve the quality of their sweets, including introducing machinery for preparation and baking.
A shop filled with cakes and baked goods
When we visited, it was Halloween season, so limited-edition baked goods were also on display.
The display case was filled with classic cakes and cakes made with seasonal fruit, making it hard to choose.
Popular items
Here are some of Wohl Wollen’s popular items.
Strawberry pie
On top of the crisp, flaky pastry are custard cream and plenty of strawberries.
It’s not overly sweet, and you’ll find yourself finishing it in no time.
Matcha Matsukaze Swiss roll
Next is the “Matcha Matsukaze Swiss roll,” which has been available since 2003.
This Swiss roll is made with plenty of Kyoto’s “Matsukaze” matcha. As the soft sponge melts in your mouth, the aroma of matcha and its refined bitterness unfold after the sweetness of the cream.
Despite its generous size, it’s so delicious you won’t be able to stop eating.
Sato’s recommendation: Sachertorte
The cake Sato feels especially attached to is authentic, Austrian-style Sachertorte.
His love of this cake was one of the reasons he studied in Austria, and that experience is reflected in its flavor.
One bite and the sweetness of the chocolate and tartness of the apricot jam will have you hooked. The chocolate has a crisp, crackly texture, and one of the delights is enjoying the variety of textures in a single cake.
Sachertorte is also popular with the staff. It looks simple, but its rich flavor is memorable.
Baked goods recommended as gifts
Popular baked goods include “Makibi-yaki,” the leaf-shaped pie “Hagoromo Hitohira,” and “Setouchi Lemon Cake.”
Each has a different texture and flavor, and customers choose from firmer or softer options to suit their preferences.
Makibi-yaki is a Western-style take on manju, a traditional Japanese bun, and has been sold since 2012.
It was created in response to local customers asking, “Do you have any sweets suitable for offering?”
Sato visited a friend from vocational school who lives in Fukushima Prefecture. He learned how to cook the azuki beans used in Japanese sweets and how to wrap the manju dough, then perfected the recipe through repeated trials.
Festive-looking Christmas cakes
Reservations for Christmas cakes began in November.
This year (2025), a new “Matcha Cheesecake Noel” will also be available.
Popular items often sell out soon after reservations open.
(No. 6, “Santa’s Strawberry Pie,” has already sold out.)
Be sure to reserve early.
We spoke with Sato, who has been bringing cakes and baked goods to Mabi for 25 years.
Wohl Wollen details
| Name | Wohl Wollen |
|---|---|
| Address | 538-4 Kawabe, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-697-0876 |
| Parking | Available 9 spaces |
| Hours | 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Monday Open if Monday is a public holiday; closed the following day |
| Payment methods |
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| Website | Wohl Wollen |
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