Tokyo Guide : Nakamura Tokichi Cafe
Nakamura Tokichi (中村藤吉) is a long-established Japanese tea specialty store, founded in 1854. It is especially renowned for its production of matcha, with its matcha made from carefully selected tea leaves from regions like Uji in Kyoto.
The matcha is known for its rich flavor and deep green color. Nakamura Tokichi Café offers a modern twist on traditional matcha culture, making it popular not only with matcha lovers but also with those who enjoy café culture.
Some of the signature matcha desserts include matcha parfaits, matcha ice cream, matcha cheesecake, and matcha Mont Blancs. These desserts are characterized by a rich matcha flavor, with not only matcha powder but also matcha syrups and sauces that are carefully crafted.
The café also offers a wide variety of matcha drinks, such as matcha lattes, iced matcha drinks, and even original matcha-based beverages. The perfect balance of matcha’s bitterness and the sweetness of milk makes these drinks irresistible to matcha fans.
Nakamura Tokichi Café has several locations, mainly in Kyoto, including spots near major tourist destinations like Kyoto Station and the Arashiyama area. The atmosphere of the cafes is designed to offer a quiet and relaxing space where both tourists and locals can enjoy matcha.
There is also a café at GINZA SIX in Tokyo, where I went with my family.
We tried the matcha soba, which was topped with a variety of ingredients, including sweet tea (the base of matcha), sweetly seasoned fried tofu, grated yam, perilla leaves, and Kyoto-style pickled vegetables. The dish was not only rich in umami but also enjoyable for its delightful texture. The set menu included matcha jelly topped with shiratama (sweet rice dumplings), allowing me to indulge in matcha to the fullest.
Additionally, we tried the matcha parfait, which is exclusive to the Ginza location. This parfait was a fun and exciting experience, with layers of white rice dumplings, matcha ice cream, matcha-flavored sponge cake and mousse, rice puffs, and sweet red bean paste. It was packed with so many different elements, and every bite felt like a new surprise.
If you’re shopping at GINZA SIX, why not take a break and enjoy a relaxing tea time at the café? It’s the perfect way to unwind.
