Hyperlocal Tokyo

I used this place for a meeting with a client who traveled from afar by Shinkansen. This was my second visit. I was looking for a place with a nice atmosphere that was conveniently located near the Shinkansen station, and this was perfect for a relaxed conversation. It was also great that I could reserve a table online. I was happy to find the Earl Grey buns, which were sold out on my previous visit. They were so delicious that I wish I had bought some to take home as souvenirs! The katsu sandwich was also very good, so I think even those who don't like Japanese sweets would enjoy it.

On a public holiday, I arrived at Tokyo Station before 10 am, so I decided to visit Toraya before it got crowded. The customer service that day was excellent. I had an anmitsu (a Japanese dessert), and it was visually appealing and the agar-agar (jelly) was particularly delicious. I enjoyed it with a cup of sencha (green tea). It seems that single diners are seated at the counter facing the KITTE building, which was a bit disappointing as I couldn't fully appreciate the red brick wall. Many of the customers seemed to be on dates or first meetings. The atmosphere and conversations I overheard made the shop feel a bit uncomfortable.

During my visit to this establishment, the staff exuded a calm and relaxed atmosphere. The chairs were comfortable and didn't cause fatigue even after sitting for extended periods. The quality was excellent. The interior was very cozy, quiet, and serene, giving off a sense of luxury. A particularly striking feature was the use of old Tokyo Station bricks in the interior design, creating a wonderful ambiance that evoked a sense of history. This concept is uniquely charming. While the prices may be slightly higher, they are definitely worth it.

I went to try the limited-time chestnut shaved ice. It's located in the Tokyo Station Hotel, a hidden gem of a cafe. The chestnut shaved ice had a very refined sweetness. The ice was the crunchy type, not fluffy. I wish it had been a bit fluffier...

The Toraya Cafe on the second floor of Tokyo Station Hotel was crowded on Sunday afternoon. We wrote our name down and waited about 20 minutes to be seated. The interior had a calm atmosphere and there was a 90-minute time limit. We ordered chestnut shaved ice, ohagi (rice cakes), and matcha. Some of the fresh sweets were sold out.