Gâteau des Bois À La Maison: Cakes and Tea by Saidaiji
Pause near Yamato-Saidaiji Station for a cake and tea, or choose a whole cake for later pickup; check the live closure calendar.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Gâteau des Bois À La Maison: Cakes and Tea by Saidaiji
À La Maison is the original Saidaiji shop of a Nara pâtisserie with a sit-down, non-smoking salon as well as a cake counter. Owner chef Masahiko Hayashi's 1991 Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie win is part of its history, but a useful visit starts with a simpler choice: eat a slice here or arrange a cake to take away. The operator runs a second shop, Laboratoire, in Shijo-oji; its seating and stock should not be assumed to be identical. This guide is for the Saidaiji-minamimachi shop, close to the temple and railway interchange.
Pick a cake with the actual shop and season in mind
The operator calls Ambroise a signature: bitter chocolate mousse encloses pistachio bavarois and raspberry jam. La Galaxie combines tea-flavoured milk chocolate with coconut mousse and red-wine-soaked figs. The Tarte Griotte, with almond cream, sour cherries and cream, is marked as exclusive to the Saidaiji main shop; the cherry component contains alcohol. The published collection is only a selection, and the shop warns that products vary by location and season. Look at the day's counter or call before travelling for one named cake. Ingredients include nuts, dairy, wheat and, in some products, alcohol; seek an item-specific allergen answer from staff rather than assuming any cake is suitable.
Treat the salon as a separate service window
Retail currently opens 10:00–18:00 on weekdays, weekends and public holidays. The non-smoking salon opens 11:00–17:30 on weekdays and 10:00–17:30 on weekends and public holidays, with last orders at 17:00. Buying a cake at 10:15 on a weekday therefore does not mean a table is already open. The operator posts a calendar for irregular closing days; check it for the travel date. Its 27 August 2026 notice moved weekday retail opening from 11:00 to 10:00 on 16 September, while leaving weekday salon opening at 11:00. Older tourism and restaurant listings still show the former times.
Order a celebration cake with enough lead time
The collection page gives a concrete whole-cake budget example: a 12 cm Chantilly Fraise is displayed at ¥3,780 including tax on the research date. This is a decorated cake price, not the cost of one slice or a salon drink. The operator accepts decorated-cake reservations by telephone or in person at the shop where it will be collected, normally at least three days ahead; it does not accept cake reservations by email. Busy periods can limit orders. For this branch call 0742-48-4545 and confirm size, pickup date, current price and any dietary questions. The same operator asks for phone contact for petit gâteau and baked-gift holds.
Approach the correct branch and plan parking
Use 1-19-101 Saidaiji-minamimachi, a short walk from Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station, for À La Maison; the other Gâteau des Bois shop is about a different part of Nara City. If driving, the operator directs customers to Saidaiji car park: tell the reception desk the destination and show the car-park receipt when paying in the shop to obtain its parking ticket. The posted validation covers up to 30 minutes for takeaway or one hour for eating in. The operator says there is no motorcycle parking around this branch, including paid motorcycle spaces, and recommends the Laboratoire branch for larger motorcycles. Recheck car-park conditions before relying on validation.
What to look for
Signature chocolate, pistachio and raspberry Ambroise
Main-shop-exclusive Tarte Griotte, subject to daily stock
Non-smoking salon close to Yamato-Saidaiji Station
Photo notes
MyNara has no licensed cake, counter, interior or chef imagery for this venue. Shop and review-platform photos cannot be copied into this guide. Ask staff about photographing inside, especially when other customers are present, and get written permission before using business images on MyNara.
Make a day of it
Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.
Sources & editorial status
Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 19 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.
- Gâteau des Bois operator — shop address, salon, live closure calendar and parking
- Gâteau des Bois operator — September 2026 retail-hours change
- Gâteau des Bois operator — cakes, location-only items, whole-cake prices and ordering
- Gâteau des Bois operator — cake holds must be by phone
- Official Nara Travel Guide — older directory identity D01388