Vol.24: GOTCHA, MATCHA - TOKYO’S FINEST MATCHA EXPERIENCE

Welcome to TOKYO BEAT – a special series by your trusty Tokyo Tourism Representative (New York Office) that aims to provide you with story ideas and inspiration. New York City is no stranger to the magic of matcha these days – this green tea powder is popular not only known for its balanced, earthy-yet-sweet flavor, but also for its many health benefits. From lattes to ice cream, cakes and more, this is one of the hottest flavors making its way into many people’s daily routines, and any trip to Tokyo would not be complete without sampling the country’s finest. But with a veritable sea of teahouses, cafes, and restaurants to choose from, which are the standouts? Here’s a list of unique places to guarantee a memorable experience.

Slip Through History Thanks to Tokyo’s reputation as a futuristic metropolis, its beautiful green spaces are an unexpected surprise for many visitors; but the city’s legendary gardens are a feast for the senses, and becomes even more unforgettable when the taste of matcha passes across one’s lips. Places like Kyu Iwasaki Tei Gardens, built in the early 20th Century, showcases the influence of Western architecture during that period – and the British style residence built by the founding family of Mitsubishi is a treasured cultural landmark. The Iwasaki’s Japanese residence on the grounds features a wonderful tea room where one can enjoy matcha and various treats, perfect after a stroll of the sprawling compound. Equally fascinating is Yamamoto-tei, a Japanese mansion built in the 1920’s and features a unique blend of traditional shoin architecture and Western design elements. The living room is now a tea house that allows visitors to peacefully survey the beautiful Japanese garden while drinking matcha. For an even older glimpse of the past, Rikugien – a landscape garden that was built in the Edo Period – offers a chance to travel in time and see a piece of a bygone era. With carefully constructed scenery originally inspired by poetry, it is filled with elements ranging from the famed weeping cherry blossom to a variety of flora and fauna, manmade hills and a shimmering lake. Two tea houses, “Fukiage no Chaya” and “Tsutsuji no Chaya”, offer unbroken views along with matcha drinks and various snacks that enhance the harmony and contentment one feels while spending time on these grounds. 

Do the Foodie Tour There’s no shortage of matcha treats to be found in Tokyo, but the passionate foodies that visit have homed in on quite a few to sample. This includes the matcha gelato at Suzukien Asakusa, which comes in seven different concentration levels of the powder, from light to dark. Waiting in line – and there’s always a line – is a worthwhile sacrifice to make in order to bask in this sweet and creamy example of matcha perfection. The desserts at Kagurazaka Saryo in Shinjuku are plentiful, but the matcha and chocolate fondue is a highlight, pairing a green tea and chocolate sauce with equally wonderful fruit. Located in the futuristic GINZA SIX complex is Kurogi Chacha, a restaurant (created by Iron Chef Jun Kurogi) that takes diners on a culinary journey by utilizing Japanese tea in various applications, is also a great place to pick up a special edition matcha gift or sweets to take home. For those who love pairing beer with food should take a look at 1899 Ochanomizu, whose Matcha Beer Garden offers an all you can drink experience with artisanal beers that fuse matcha (and other teas) and beer flawlessly. For a taste of the traditional, head to Oiwake Dango in Shinjuku for matcha dango – sweet rice dumplings on a stick that are generously coated with matcha paste. But with the impending kakigori (shaved Ice) boom in New York City, it is essential to check out the matcha kakigori at Saryo Tsujiri in the Daimaru department store in Marunouchi, which combines matcha shaved ice, red bean, jelly, mochi, and even ice cream into the perfect antidote for the hot summer weather. 

For more information on where to enjoy matcha in Tokyo, contact press@tokyo-nyc.com or call 917-200-4887. For general information on traveling in Tokyo, head to TokyoTokyo.jp and Gotokyo.org/en/

*For the past volumes of TOKYO BEAT, check out www.japansolutionusa.com/tokyobeat