Tea is a way of life. The art of making, pouring, and serving tea has a deep cultural significance in Japan. A 500-year-old practice, formal and elegant tea ceremonies, bitter matcha green tea, and wagashi (old-fashioned confectionary) are often enjoyed inside tea houses while overlooking beautiful Japanese-style gardens. Have a glimpse of the Japanese Way of Tea at some of the best tea houses in Tokyo!
What is a Tea Ceremony?
The Japanese tea ceremony (sadō, or chadō, meaning “the way of tea”) is a sacred, time-honored ritual for people who practice this unique art form. Tea ceremonies are made up of a combination of many distinct rituals, such as the Japanese etiquette of hosting guests, the use of special utensils, and the serving of the delicate wagashi – which is usually freshly handmade in-house or sourced from a professional wagashi artisan nearby. Wagashi may be served before, or together with, the tea, as it leaves a sweet taste on your palate to complement the often bitter, aromatic flavors of the rich green tea.
Tranquility and Spiritual Significance
It is believed that a spiritual exchange between the host and the guest occurs during the preparation and the serving of the tea. The tea itself refreshes and cleanses the host’s mind during its preparation, and it relaxes the body and soul of the guest as they drink. In the ceremony, guests also enjoy the hospitality of the host, appreciating the tranquil yet effervescent atmosphere around them (a Japanese philosophy called mono no aware). The tea ceremony was practiced by elite Zen monks, nobility, and even high-ranking samurai and warlords from days long past.
Enjoying Teahouses in Tokyo
Want to experience the flavors of Japanese tea and wagashi for yourself in Tokyo? Here are five teahouses in Tokyo – ranging from traditional to modern, including a few fusion-style places to suit your every fancy!
When exploring the serene tea houses of Tokyo, navigating the city’s sprawling layout efficiently is essential. Whether you’re hopping on the JR Yamanote Line to visit Nakajima-no-ochaya or cycling to the quaint Kantoku-tei Tea House, understanding Tokyo’s transport options can greatly enhance your experience. For a comprehensive guide to getting around the city with ease, check out From Trains to Bikes: Navigating Tokyo Like a Local.
- Nakajima-no-ochaya (Traditional Style)
Nestled inside the beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens (right by Tsukiji Market), Nakajima-no-ochaya is a small, traditional-style tea house. It only serves tea and sweets, with hot matcha offered alongside dainty wagashi. Inside, there is a spacious tatami room where you can enjoy the whole process of a traditional tea ceremony, complete with sliding shoji paper doors and wide windows looking out on beautiful lake views.
The building is situated on the banks of a small lake inside a larger park, and there is a little Zen garden nearby which guests can look out at from the teahouse’s indoor seating area. With alfresco seating over the water, as well, guests can also enjoy their refreshments outdoors in good weather, taking teatime to the next level of serenity.
With elegant and delicate sweets for every seasonal flavor, this makes every visit a one-of-a-kind experience.
Address: Hamarikyu Gardens, 1-1-1, Chuo-ku, Hamarikyu Gardens, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0046
Opening hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (last order, 16:00)
- Kantoku-tei Tea House (Traditional Style)
The Kantoku-tei Tea House is located inside the Koshikawa Korakuen Garden, north of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. It’s a small and quaint place, built in a traditional style, with many windows overlooking beautiful gardens. They serve hot matcha with seasonal wagashi here, for guests to enjoy at their leisure.
They also have a full menu, where patrons can order set-meals of tempura zaru soba (cold buckwheat noodles with fried vegetables and seafood), grilled mackerel served with rice, tonkatsu (pork fillet), and beef sukiyaki udon (thinly sliced beef cooked in a sweet, soy-based broth, served with thick, wheat flour noodles). Tasty meals can be enjoyed while appreciating the beautiful scenery all around. During the autumn, trees around the Tea House don shades of red, yellow, and orange, making it a wonderful spot for lunch or afternoon tea.
Address: 1 Chome-6-6 Koraku, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 112-0004
Opening hours: 10:00 to 16:00 (Lunch served from 11:00~14:30)
- Kagurazaka Saryo (Fusion Style)
Kagurazaka Saryo is a teahouse built to look like an old Kyoto tearoom, although this shop is near the border between Shinjuku and Chiyoda Wards. This teahouse is a little more modern, and it has the vibe of a trendy café. As a former wooden house, the interior shows traces of its past as a private residence, bringing a sense of coziness and charm. On sunny days, outdoor seating allows guests to experience the bustle of the city while enjoying their refreshments or meals.
The teahouse also offers a full menu with a variety of set meals, a la carte options, and a wide selection of teas sourced from all over Japan. Specialty desserts, both traditional and modern, are also available on their extensive menu, including shaved ice matcha parfaits, tarts, ice creams, and matcha fondues.
Address: 3 Chome-1, Kagurazaka, Shinjuku City, Tokyo, 162-0825
Opening hours: 11:30 to 22:00
- Ippodo Chaho Tokyo Marunouchi Store (Traditional Meets Modern)
Ippodo Chaho is a Japanese tea specialty store established in Kyoto in 1717. While their main store is still located in Kyoto, a major Tokyo store can be found in the Marunouchi district, and it has both a tearoom and a small shop at the front. The interior is furnished with soft ambient lighting, and dark wood furniture, giving it a sense of warmth.
While this teahouse has more of a boutique café feel to it, they serve the highest quality of teas sourced from the mountainous regions of Kyoto, Nara, and Shiga Prefectures. Guests can taste four categories of teas: matcha, gyokuro (green tea that was grown in the shade), sencha (steamed green tea), and hojicha (roasted green tea).
Address: 3-1-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
Opening hours: 12:00 to 19:00 (last order, 18:00)
- Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience (A Modern Twist)
In an exciting blend of traditional Japanese flavors and modern presentations, Sakurai takes tea to the next level, letting guests experience chadõ with all their senses. Located in Minato, near Omote-Sando Station, Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience is located on the 5th floor of the Spiral Building.
This teahouse roasts and blends their own tea on-site, and tea leaves are sourced from various regions around Japan. Teahouse by day, trendy bar by night, Sakurai has a range of tea courses for guests to experience, as well as tea-based alcoholic beverages to try. Those who are interested can participate in a few different tea-tasting courses, to familiarize themselves with a wide range of Japanese teas, served in different styles, whether hot or chilled. You can also taste teas with a recommended liquor pairing, or, of course, enjoy one of the more traditional three kinds of Japanese tea with wagashi.
Light meals are also served, as specialty courses selected for that day by the chef, making each visit a delightful omakase experience. Guests may also purchase tea at the store to enjoy at home, or as gifts and souvenirs.
Address: Spiral Building 5F, 5 Chome-6-23 Minami Aoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062
Opening hours: 11:00 to 20:00 (on weekends), 11:00 to 23:00 (on weekdays)
Conclusion
The Japanese Way of Tea might take you along many different paths around Tokyo and the rest of the nation. This, too, is part of the experience! When in Tokyo, at least, rest assured that there are plenty of options for all your interests and curiosities.