What Is Wakoucha? Discover Japanese Black Tea in Tokyo.
KAGUWA is a specialty tea shop dedicated to wakoucha, or Japanese black tea.
Unlike the black tea many people are familiar with, wakoucha is made from Japanese tea leaves and offers a much softer, rounder flavor. It has very little bitterness, and instead carries a gentle natural sweetness along with a delicate, almost floral aroma.
Enjoy freshly pounded mochi at NEWoMan Takanawa’s SASUI ITO EN (茶々水 伊藤園). Try warabi mochi, matcha anmitsu, and a mochi set served with premium Japanese tea.
If you’re searching for fresh mochi in Tokyo or the perfect matcha dessert experience, look no further than SASUI ITO EN at NEWoMan Takanawa. Located just steps from Takanawa Gateway Station, this modern Japanese tea café offers something rare: freshly pounded mochi served daily, paired with premium Japanese tea.
This is not just a café visit — it’s a refined tea and sweets experience.
Where to Buy the Best Nori in Tokyo: Yamamoto Nori-ten (山本海苔店) in Nihonbashi
If you’re wondering where to buy high-quality nori in Tokyo, look no further than Yamamoto Nori-ten in Nihonbashi. Founded in 1849, this historic seaweed specialty store has been perfecting the art of nori for over 170 years — making it one of the most respected nori shops in Japan.
Located in Nihonbashi, a district known as the birthplace of commerce in Tokyo, the shop perfectly matches its surroundings: refined, traditional, and deeply connected to Japanese culture.
IYOSHI Cola is a Japanese craft cola brand based in Tokyo. Made with natural ingredients such as kola nuts, citrus, and a carefully selected blend of spices, it offers a complex and refreshing flavor unlike mass-produced colas.
Kappabashi Dogugai (合羽橋道具街) is the largest cooking tool district in Japan, located adjacent to the Asakusa area.
Established in the Taisho era (1912-1926), Kappabashi Dogugai developed as a wholesale district for cooking utensils, tableware, and other items for the restaurant industry, and is now lined with nearly 200 stores, making it a tourist attraction visited by people from Japan and abroad.
Photo taken in front of my favorite Japanese ceramic shop “Dengama (田窯)”. And the giant statue of chef, as a landmark of the entrance for Kappabashi Dogugai.
Not just tea — this is a full seasonal kaiseki experience paired with rare Japanese teas. Only in Ginza.
HIGASHIYA GINZA is a modern Japanese tea salon located in the heart of Tokyo’s Ginza district. It beautifully blends traditional Japanese hospitality with a contemporary design. The café offers a refined experience centered around Japanese tea and seasonal cuisine.
On the day, our entire family had lunch together. My husband, my son, and I had the “Ichiju Sansai” course, while my daughter was served a set of rice balls and miso soup.
The “Ichiju Sansai” course included white rice, a hearty kenchin-jiru soup filled with root vegetables, a main dish made with red fish, three side dishes featuring seafood and seasonal vegetables, as well as nukazuke pickles and a simmered dish of kelp and shiitake mushrooms. We were full in no time.
Craving creamy tonkotsu ramen? Try Kyushu Jangara—Tokyo’s beloved ramen with rich, yet mild pork broth, thin noodles, and amazing toppings like kakuni and mentaiko. A true taste of Kyushu in the heart of the city!
“Jangara Ramen” is a ramen chain based mainly in Tokyo, officially known as “Kyushu Jangara.” It was founded in 1984 in Harajuku, Tokyo, and has since become beloved for its original ramen inspired by pork bone (tonkotsu) ramen from the Kyushu region. Its signature feature is a rich and creamy, yet mild tonkotsu broth that is easy to enjoy even for those unfamiliar with this type of ramen. This approachable taste has made it especially popular among women and foreign tourists.
Do you like matcha? Matcha is a vibrant green powdered tea made by finely grinding specially cultivated tea leaves called tencha using a stone mill. Since you consume the entire tea leaf, matcha is packed with umami flavor and rich in nutrients.
In Japan, matcha is traditionally used in tea ceremonies, but nowadays there are many shops where you can easily enjoy it.
Located in Asakusa, Suzukien (壽々喜園) is a specialty tea shop where you can enjoy a wide variety of Japanese teas, as well as sweets and gelato made with tea.
One of their highlights is the “world’s richest” matcha gelato, which has become a hot topic among matcha lovers. Their signature “Matcha Gelato No.7” lets you choose from seven levels of matcha intensity — a must-try for any matcha fan.
Another popular option is the “Four Types of Matcha An Dango with Sencha,” featuring dumplings topped with matcha-flavored sweet bean pastes of varying richness, served with a fragrant cup of sencha. It’s the perfect spot to take a break while exploring Asakusa.
Do you love ramen? Ever wanted to dive deeper into its world? If yes, this exhibition is for you! Currently on display at 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT in Roppongi, “The Art of the RAMEN Bowl” showcases the beauty and diversity of ramen bowls.
“21_21 DESIGN SIGHT” is a cultural facility located in Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi, dedicated to exploring the possibilities of design. Opened in 2007, the building was designed by architect Tadao Ando and features a distinctive roof structure that incorporates natural light, harmonizing beautifully with the surrounding greenery.
Ramen, alongside sushi, is one of the most beloved Japanese dishes around the world. This exhibition shines a spotlight on the ramen bowl—donburi—and explores and analyzes it from a design perspective, creating an atmosphere that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Are you interested not only in Takeshita Street fashion but also in the gourmet food and sweets that Harajuku has to offer? The Harajuku area is known as a hub for youth culture and fashion. Takeshita Street, in particular, is lined with shops offering the latest fashion trends and unique items, attracting many young people.
The district is home to several popular tourist attractions, including Meiji Shrine, an oasis of nature in the heart of the city; Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, which features the rooftop garden “Omohara Forest”; and Laforet Harajuku, a symbol of Japanese street fashion.
Harajuku is also a place where diverse food cultures come together. It is famous for Instagram-worthy sweets like crepes and cotton candy, as well as a variety of restaurants and cafés serving cuisines from around the world.