lemiOpposites attract in Japan—ancient traditions fuse with advanced technology while minimalism meets kitsch
A Match-A Made in Heaven
Tokyo, Urayasu
As far back as the 12th century, Zen monks used to consume matcha (抹茶, fine green tea powder) to improve focus and clarity before meditation. Today, matcha is gaining worldwide popularity in various forms, whether it’s a candy bar, a slice of cake, or an ice cream flavor. From its cultivation to its consumption, Japan has the tea-making tradition down to an art form. The heart of the matcha trade may be in Uji, Kyoto, and Nishio, Aichi Prefecture, but these spots in Tokyo are perfect for a quick and satisfying fix. It’s one versatile tea, so prepare to taste your way through the city’s different matcha recipes!
Indulge in a tall parfait layered with matcha cake chunks, mochi (もち, glutinous rice balls), and sweet jellies at Saryo Tsujiri. The café is tucked away in a quiet corner of Daimaru Tokyo, a massive department store, making it a perfect spot to cap off any shopping spree or errand run. Sit by the windows to pair your dessert-snack with a view of the city. Saryo Tsujiri knows matcha monsters can’t get enough of the stuff, so they transform it in various ways. Slurp matcha soba (そば, buckwheat noodles), dig into rich ice cream scoops, or sip creative concoctions. They’ve even stocked up on tea-flavored snacks in a shop out front, so go ahead and take some goodies home!
- +81 3 3214 3322
10th Floor, Daimaru Tokyo Yaesu North, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- https://www.giontsujiri.co.jp/saryo/
Premium No. 7 is the most potent matcha gelato in town, and Suzukien Asakusa happens to be churning it out! A glance at their counter and you’ll find Houjicha (ほうじ茶, charcoal-roasted green tea), Genmaicha (玄米茶, brown rice green tea), Black Sesame, and Dainagon Azuki (red bean). By far, Suzukien’s most popular flavor is its Matcha. Every day, Suzukien Asakusa draws queues in anticipation for a scoop of Premium No. 7. The gelateria has seven shades of green tea, each indicating its flavor’s intensity. You’ll see that the richest one is even a tad bit darker than others. Even just a tiny spoonful of the Premium No. 7 coats the mouth in an indescribable matcha taste.
- +81 3 3871 0311
3-4-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- http://www.tocha.co.jp
Located inside the Tokyo Skytree Solamachi complex, Gion Tsujiri hands out matcha-flavored soft serve in two ways: either in a classic cone or in a bowl-shaped waffle cone that cradles a medley of ice cream, red beans, and mochi. Since Gion Tsujiri is right across a massive window, this matcha treat makes for a pretty picture with the city skyline in the background. Along with the fantastic view, your decadent dessert will be gone before you know it!
- +81 3 6658 5656
Sixth Floor, Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi, 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- https://www.giontsujiri.co.jp/gion/
Sample the flavors of the season at Japanese Ice Ouca. The server at the helm of the counter is an excellent matchmaker, ready to give you recommendations for your ice cream treat. Matcha is a staple here, but feel free to pair it with other flavors like Milk and Sakura (when in season). They also serve wheat tea and kelp flakes as palate cleansers for you to thoroughly enjoy your scoops!
- +81 3 5449 0037
1-6-6 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- http://www.ice-ouca.com/
In the chaos of Shinjuku station, you may notice a lucky few holding soft serve cones with matcha twirls. These are just some of the green tea treats from Cha no Ikedaya, a convenience store selling various teas and delicacies. They’re stationed outside of the West Gate as they’ve been since 1945. The shop’s owner brought his tea expertise to Tokyo from Kawane, Shizuoka, where he worked in the tea business for 10 years. While you’re here, you might as well stock up on some green tea leaves!
- +81 3 3342 0506
Odakyu Ace, Shinjuku Station, Tokyo, Japan
- http://www.chaikedaya.com
Swap out your regular coffee order for a matcha-filled drink! Nana’s Green Tea has its heart set on being the next big café chain, and it might just win over the hearts of locals and tourists with its modernized matcha and traditional sweets. Catch up with friends over a round of Matcha Lattés. Nana’s gets a little devious and even tops up their Frozen Matcha Latté with a scoop of ice cream when asked.
- +81 3 5637 8210
Fourth Floor, Tokyo Sky Tree Town Solamachi, 1-1-2 Kushiho, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- http://www.nanasgreentea.com/
Guaranteed, you won’t find fondue quite like Kagurazaka Saryo’s. Molten Matcha Fondue is brought to the table on a clay burner, which comes with an array of dippings to choose from: strawberries, mochi, and puff pastry. They also have a plethora of other traditional desserts and healthy entrées available in-store. The restaurant and tea house is situated on a back street, so it’s peaceful enough for dates. It’s the kind of place that invites you to take your time and enjoy simple pleasures, like the comforting taste of a well-brewed tea.
- +81 3 3266 0880
5-9 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- https://saryo.jp/
On a street where alcohol overflows at the bars, Yelo is serving up something different from their narrow counter. Heaping snowballs keep this corner of the Roppongi district frosty whatever the season. Sweet—and sometimes colorful—syrup seeps into the delicate ice, which is pleasantly fluffy and refreshing. Pick from a spectrum of flavors, from Green Tea to Sweet Corn, but we already know what you’re getting!
- +81 3 3423 2121
Patio Roppongi, 5-2-11 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- http://yelo.jp/
Everyone at Asakusa Naniwaya will naturally gravitate toward the appetizing snowballs. While they’re distracted, hoard a school’s worth of fish-shaped desserts stuffed with sweet red beans called Taiyaki! Any local will tell you that green tea and red beans always go together perfectly, so order your Taiyaki with a cup of delicious matcha. It’s a classic flavor combo that will never let you down!
- +81 3 3842 0988
2-12-4 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- http://a-naniwaya.com/
Somewhere between a pannacotta and a mousse, you’ll find Kinozen’s crowning dessert—a creamy gelatin called Bavarois. Kinozen’s Matcha Bavarois is served with a generous dollop of cream and red bean paste, so the textures and flavors go extremely well together. It’s supple and smooth, but not sweet at all—that’s where the cream comes in. A little bit of chunkiness is then brought to the spoon by the red beans, making a flawless trio.
- +81 3 3269 2920
1-12 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
A thick layer of vibrant green powder dusts the thick square of Tiramisu at Marunouchi Cafe KAI. It’s meant to be a dessert, but it’s so enticing that you could skip the entrées altogether! The cafe has crafted the perfect environment to settle into while binging on some matcha-filled bites, so let loose and have a cup of piping hot tea with your Matcha Tiramisu.
- +81 3 3217 2022
KITTE, 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Chachanoma is a modern teahouse with its heart deeply rooted in tradition. They serve both the hot stuff and the delectable desserts, ideal for a tea party! Different shades of green occupy the tables, thanks to the slices of cake and cups of tea. They also create their own blends that are on sale and ready to take home, much to the delight of devoted tea-drinkers!
- +81 3 5468 8846
5-13-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- https://chachanoma.com/
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