Sweet Creations Bridging Japan and France

Sometimes, it only takes a single moment to spark a lifelong passion. For Misako Akiyama, it was a simple piece of roll cake that set her on her path.

Her desire to create sweet works of art eventually led her to leave her office job behind. Instead, she immersed herself in the world of patisserie, studying her craft at renowned pastry schools in Kyoto and Tokyo, and gaining valuable experience in various patisseries.

In 2017, her journey brought her to Switzerland, where she fulfilled a long-held dream: founding her own business, Atelier Okashi. In her creations, Misako combines classical French pastry craftsmanship with refined Japanese aesthetics – a harmony that’s reflected in every detail.

Her delicate confections are not available for general sale; instead, she supplies selected cafés such as Mame in Zurich and accepts exclusive orders through her website.

In autumn 2023, she took a major step forward: moving into her own independent production kitchen. To meet the growing demand and invest in modern kitchen equipment, Misako needed additional financial support. On the recommendation of Zürcher Kantonalbank, she turned to Ahead Microcredits – a decision that proved to be exactly right.

It wasn’t just the simple application process that convinced her, but above all the professional advice and structured budget planning. The budget consultation took place on equal footing and allowed her to tailor the financing precisely to her needs.

With a microcredit of 30,000 Swiss francs, she was able to purchase essential equipment like a new oven, a kneading machine, and a dough sheeter – investments that laid the foundation for further growth.

Thanks to the support from Ahead Microcredits, Misako was able to make her production more efficient and reliably handle new orders – including supplying another branch of her main customer.

Quality, craftsmanship, and a fine eye for detail define Misako Akiyama’s work – making her the quiet master behind one of Zurich’s most beautifully kept sweet secrets.

Misako Akiyama
Atelier Okashi – French-Japanese handmade artisan pastries
atelierokashi.ch