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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Chateraise say to the cake? You're the icing on my raise.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chateraise Co., Ltd.
TypePrivate
IndustryConfectionery • Bakery • Patisserie • Ice cream parlor
FoundedDecember 27, 1954; 71 years ago (1954-12-27)
Kōfu, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
FounderHiroshi Saito
Headquarters
Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture
,
Japan
Area served
Japan • Taiwan • Singapore • Hong Kong • Malaysia • Thailand • Indonesia • South Korea • Philippines • United Arab Emirates
Key people
Takako Saito (President, Chateraise Holdings [ja])
ProductsCakes, pastries, ice cream, Japanese confectionery, wine
RevenueIncrease JP¥161.3 billion[1] (2025)
Number of employees
Approximately 4,000 (consolidated, 2023)
ParentChateraise Holdings Co., Ltd [ja]
Websitewww.chateraise.co.jp

Chateraise Co., Ltd, stylized as CHÂTERAISÉ (Japanese: シャトレーゼ株式会社, Hepburn: Shatorēze Kabushiki-gaisha), is a Japanese confectionery and bakery chain headquartered in Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture. As of 2025, it operates more than 890 stores in Japan and approximately 170 outlets overseas, primarily in Asia.[2][3] The company produces Western-style and Japanese-style sweets, ice cream, and baked goods.

The brand name "Chateraise" is not an actual French word but a portmanteau of the French terms château (castle) and raisin (grape), intending to reflect the founder's family background in grape cultivation in Yamanashi Prefecture.[1][4]

History

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Chateraise was founded in 1954[5] by Hiroshi Saito in Kōfu, Yamanashi Prefecture, originally under the name Amataro and selling Japanese confectionery such as imagawayaki.[6] In the 1960s, the company began producing Western-style pastries and introduced ice-cream-filled cream puffs. In 1985, Chateraise officially adopted a direct-from-factory distribution model that aimed to eliminate intermediaries in the supply chain. The company established its Hakushu Factory in 1994, considered to be the largest confectionary factory in Japan at the time.[7]

International expansion began with the opening of a store in Singapore in 2015.[8] Subsequent markets included Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates.[9] In 2020, a European production facility was opened in Tilburg, Netherlands.[10] Founder Hiroshi Saito died on 10 August 2024 at the age of 90. He was succeeded by his daughter Takako Saito as president of the holding company.[11]

Chateraise branch in Nishi-Otsu, Shiga, Japan
A Chateraise branch in Otsu City, Shiga, Japan

Operations

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Chateraise operates a vertically integrated supply chain, contracting directly with farmers for dairy, eggs, and fruit, and processing ingredients in company-owned factories before distribution to stores.[6] In Japan, the chain introduced unmanned 24-hour stores in 2023[12] followed by an unmanned store in Singapore.[13] The parent entity, Chateraise Holdings, also operates multiple wineries[14], hotels[15], golf courses[16], and ski resorts[17] across the country.

Products

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While the selection varies across different stores, common products offered include fresh-cream cakes and whole cakes such as cream puffs, éclairs, baumkuchen, ice cream, Japanese confectionery, baked goods and breads as well as fruit wines produced at company-owned wineries.

A 'premium' in-store baking brand, Yatsudoki, was launched in 2021.[18]

Labor standards violation

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In May 2025, the Kōfu Labor Standards Inspection Office referred Chateraise to public prosecutors for alleged violations of the Labor Standards Act, accusing the company of requiring multiple employees to work excessive overtime hours without proper compensation.[19][20]

References

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  1. 1 2 "シシャトレーゼグループ[グループ募集]". Mynavi Corporation (in Japanese). 2025-05-22. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
  2. ↑ "国内・海外 フランチャイズオーナー募集". Chateraise Official Website (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-04-06.
  3. ↑ "シャトレーゼ、1,000店舗。これからの展開に注目". AQUANET JP (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-04-06.
  4. ↑ "Founder of popular Japanese cake chain, Chateraise, dies aged 90". New Straits Times Malaysia. Retrieved 2026-06-25.
  5. ↑ "Japanese confectionary brand Châteraisé's popularity rises in the GCC". Arab News JP website. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
  6. 1 2 "Growing confectionery business created by a "Japanese-style franchise"". NIHONMONO JP. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
  7. ↑ ""Mountain of Water" column". Mizunoyama Online. 2023-07-22. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
  8. ↑ "【シンガポール】シャトレーゼ、アジア1号店をシンガポールにオープン". Yappango JP (in Japanese). 2015-04-04. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  9. ↑ "Chateraise dealing with franchise opens Thai first store". Franchise Japan. 2017-07-19. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  10. ↑ "Chateraise opens first European factory in Tilburg". Food Business News. 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
  11. ↑ "Founder of Japanese cake chain Chateraise dies at age 90". The Straits Times. 2024-08-15. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  12. ↑ "無人店舗「シャトレーゼ无人商店」東京・西麻布にオープン". Fashion Press (in Japanese). 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
  13. ↑ "Chateraise opening first unmanned store outside Japan in Bukit Batok". Straits Times. Retrieved 2026-04-06.
  14. ↑ "ワイナリー". chateraisegroup.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  15. ↑ "シャトレーゼホテル". chateraisegroup.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  16. ↑ "ゴルフ". chateraisegroup.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  17. ↑ "スキー". chateraisegroup.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-06-28.
  18. ↑ "Chateraise Opens Premium Bakery Yatsudoki With Freshly-Made Cream Puffs & Soft Serve". CNA Lifestyle.
  19. ↑ "シャトレーゼを書類送検 労働基準法違反の疑い 甲府労基署 山梨". YBS News (in Japanese). 2025-05-22. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  20. ↑ "シャトレーゼを書類送検、違法残業疑い　甲府労基署". Nihon Keizai Shimbun (in Japanese). 2025-05-22. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
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