Shibuya Crossing
Flour + Water
1-Chome-30-10 Aobadai, Meguro City, Tokyo 153-0042, Japan
As buns go this wasn’t the best!
As much as it pains me, in 2025 majority of people go off of things we see on TikTok… “must go place for pizza” “best view point in…” and, some time doing this doesn’t really pay off. Either everyone and their nan is jumping on that ban wagon and making it super busy/too touristy or even worse… what is being recommended is false advertisement. This was one of those moments for me. Having said this I have absolutely had worse cinnamon buns however, I think my expectations where too high hence the disappointment.
I had been doing some research to see what bakery was popping in the hub of Tokyo, which lead me to Flour + Water. I had seen multiple reels about this place in Japan and though “why not!”.
With this being said I think the reason why there is so much hype around Flour + Water is because it offers a much more western type menu and heaps of baked goods. A Brunch menu from the hours of 10am-12pm, afternoon tea from 14:00-16:00 followed by Italian style dining from 17:00-23:00
What is Flour + Water?
During my time in Japan, I quickly realised they’re not huge on breakfast as a meal, at least not your stereotypical western breakfast such as pancakes, granola, oats type thing. We would often find ourselves either getting a snack from the combinies (711/familymart) or getting a rice bowl with raw egg, fish and pickled veg situation, which in their own right is tasty AF but compared to a stake of pancakes and bacon, it doesn’t even come close. Granted my opening title on this page probably does not encourage people to visit this eatery but I must say I was only disappoint with the cinnamon bun. Everything else was delightful, well presented, tasty, cheap and the establishment was super clean (like everywhere in Japan)
Where is Flour + Water?
Flour + water is located in the heart of Nakameguro, Tokyo. It’s just a 9 min train from Shibuya station to Naka-meguro Station followed by a 5 min walk to the entrance of the Café. Being Japan, the trains will 99% be on time and will have a constant flow of services, so if you miss one you won’t be waiting long to grab another.
Flour + Water is situated only 1 road over from the Meguro River so you could grab a pastry and sit out-by the river and or sit in the aesthetically pleasing café. If you wish to sit in, I would advise booking in advance as there is almost always a queue of people especially before 9am, when it opens (90mins max stay). We did a grab and go….
The interior was striking, inviting and certainly had Instagram appeal.
The bun
To put it bluntly, it didn’t taste like a cinnamon bun at all. Whatever we had; it was tasty but it wasn’t cinnamon. The bun looked delicious, although the size was very small and was presented really well which made me super excited to give it a taste.
Firstly, they had replaced the stereotypical white icing sugar/cream with a browny/golden colour, which was super intriguing and something I was yet to see on any other cinnamon bun. It also had on top a singular raisin and a half cherry (like a cherry bakewell) of sorts which I don’t particularly believe is needed on a cinnamon bun unless the inside flavour matches such as a biscoff cinnamon bun with biscoff spread on top. It had defined swirls but didn’t have the same height of a cinnamon bun you’d typically see.
The bun was extremely buttery, like a croissant which melted in your mouth… again, delicious but not a cinnamon bun. I certainly wasn’t dry but had a crumble which in term left a mess or flakes all over your lap or in the bag given. I was not able to tear the bun so that the swirls would unravel, it was more of a rip or eat straight in the mouth due to its flaky exterior & oil consistency. You could see the cinnamon but alas couldn’t taste it. It had hints of almond due to a light coating of almond flakes underneath the icing. This bun was a mixed bag of flavours, leaving me happy with what I had yet disappointment that It wasn’t what was advertised.
Texture 5/10
Taste 4/10 (not cinnamony)
Appearance 6/10
Overall 6/10
Tokyo
The biggest city in the world!
Tokyo is a fascinating city with a blend of ancient culture and cutting-edge modernity. Here are some interesting and helpful facts about Tokyo:
- Largest Urban Area: Tokyo is part of the Greater Tokyo Area, which is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with over 37 million people. This area is larger than many countries’ populations!
- 24-Hour City: Tokyo has an incredibly efficient public transportation system that operates 24 hours a day in certain parts of the city, making it one of the most accessible cities for both tourists and locals.
- Clean and Safe: Despite its size, Tokyo is known for its cleanliness and safety. The city has one of the lowest crime rates for major cities worldwide, and public spaces are exceptionally clean, even though there are few trash bins.
- Shibuya Crossing: The Shibuya Crossing is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. It’s an iconic sight where hundreds of people cross from all directions at once. It’s especially mesmerizing at night, surrounded by neon signs.
- Subway Etiquette: Tokyo’s subway system is famous for its orderliness. People generally stand in lines, and there’s a “quiet” etiquette where talking loudly or making phone calls is considered impolite.
- Rich History and Culture: Tokyo was originally a small fishing village called Edo, before it became the capital of Japan in the early 1600s. Today, you can visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum to explore its transformation from feudal city to a modern metropolis.
- Skyscraper City: Tokyo’s skyline is known for its blend of ultra-modern skyscrapers and traditional architecture. The Tokyo Tower, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, was once the tallest structure in Japan, but the Tokyo Skytree now holds that title, standing at 634 meters.
- Unusual Museums: Tokyo is home to some quirky museums, like the Shitamachi Tanabata Museum (dedicated to paper crafts) and the Ramen Museum, where visitors can learn about the history of ramen and even taste different regional varieties.
- World-Class Shopping: Areas like Harajuku, Ginza, and Shinjuku are well-known for high-end shopping, fashion trends, and unique street style. Harajuku, in particular, is famous for youth fashion and colorful outfits.
- Cherry Blossoms: Tokyo is one of the best places to experience the cherry blossom (sakura) season, which typically happens in late March to early April. People gather in parks for hanami (flower viewing) parties, and it’s a deeply cultural experience.
- Theme Parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are incredibly popular and unique theme parks. DisneySea, in particular, is exclusive to Tokyo and has won awards for being one of the best Disney parks in the world.
- Vending Machines: Tokyo is home to over 5 million vending machines, offering everything from drinks and snacks to fresh flowers, umbrellas, and even hot meals. They’re conveniently located all over the city.
- Anime and Manga Hub: Tokyo is the global capital for anime and manga culture. Akihabara is known as the mecca for anime and electronics, and you’ll find countless stores dedicated to these forms of entertainment.
- Multicultural Cuisine: Tokyo has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. The city’s food scene is diverse, offering everything from sushi and ramen to international cuisines, street food, and even fusion styles.
- Sumo Wrestling: Sumo is Japan’s national sport, and Tokyo hosts one of the major sumo tournaments at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Arena. Watching a live match is a fantastic way to experience traditional Japanese culture.
Tokyo truly combines the old with the new, and there’s always something to explore!
Want to know more about Japan?
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