While Tokyoites mourned the loss of Scandinavian bread specialists Vaner last October, there’s now a new bakery taking over the exact same space. The new French boulangerie and patisserie Think has just opened at Yanaka’s Ueno Sakuragi Atari – a cluster of old Showa era (1926-1989) houses that have been turned into trendy shops and eateries.
You can get a wide array of pastries and bread made using fermented butter and levain (or natural homemade yeast). Signature items include brioche, croissants and the bakery’s pain de campagne (French country loaf) that’s made with slowly fermented levain for a sourdough-like flavour and texture. If your sweet tooth is calling, there’s also a lovely selection of sweet pastries including dainty madeleines, caneles, cinnamon rolls and small cakes.