Hyperlocal Tokyo

Yanagi Chaya in Asakusa is a traditional Japanese cafe where you can enjoy drinks and sweets made with carefully selected Uji matcha. Among them, the "Matcha Tiramisu" and "Uji Matcha Shiratama Soft Serve" are must-tries for matcha dessert lovers. The matcha tiramisu, delicately dusted with finely sifted matcha powder, is a masterpiece of flavor, with the rich cheese and the slightly bitter matcha perfectly complementing each other, all brought together by the moist sponge at the bottom. This dessert, imbued with Japanese aesthetics, melts in your mouth, leaving a refined taste and allowing you to savor the aroma of matcha. On the other hand, the "Uji Matcha Shiratama Soft Serve" features large, chewy shiratama (mochi balls) and rich matcha soft serve. The combination with the subtly sweet an (sweet bean paste) is a must-try for any fan of Japanese sweets. The shiratama, in particular, offers a satisfying texture unlike any other, and the visually stunning presentation makes it perfect for social media. The cafe has a calm atmosphere, frequented by tourists in kimonos, allowing you to experience the unique charm of Asakusa. Yanagi Chaya is the perfect place to take a break from sightseeing and exploring, offering a luxurious matcha experience. Why not give it a try?

A traditional Japanese cafe located in the Asakusa shopping district, offering original matcha drinks and sweets made with carefully selected, fragrant Uji matcha from the renowned Kyoto tea merchant, 'Morihan'. While the matcha tiramisu and soft serve were tempting, I opted for the 'Uji Matcha Shiratama Soft Cream Drink Set (¥1,550)'. The first thing that surprised me was the size of the shiratama (mochi balls). They were three times larger than those I've seen at other cafes, with a chewy texture that was unlike anything I'd experienced before. It was a delightful surprise. The rich matcha soft cream, slightly salty red bean paste, and large, chewy shiratama all came together perfectly, creating a truly delicious experience. The cafe itself has a stylish yet welcoming atmosphere. It's a must-visit for anyone exploring Asakusa.

A matcha dessert shop (with udon noodles available). Takeout is available. You order at the counter first, like Starbucks. 😊 I was caught off guard, so I ended up getting a matcha chocolate latte (¥800). 😅 It's best to decide what you want before entering! There are seats in a semi-basement area and a stylish semi-second floor. 😉✨ The semi-second floor has dividers and is more relaxing. 🤤 Definitely prefer this seating area. 👌 The matcha shaved ice looks like it would be very photogenic with its generous portion size. 😳✨ I want to try that next! I'll definitely order it next time. 🍵 I'm a member of a discount program, so I'll be back for sure! 😉

I visited on a weekend, and Asakusa itself was crowded, so there was a line in front of the store. I don't really like waiting in line, but I waited to get my hands on the mochi. You can choose between cold or warm Uji matcha mochi. To be honest, I was torn between that and the tiramisu... I went with the cold Uji matcha mochi drink set for 1350 yen. It's big and the container has a refreshing feel. However, the taste is just regular mochi. It's just a bigger size... I chose matcha for the set, and it's not very sweet. It's probably just right since the dessert is sweet.

This matcha dessert shop has a fantastic concept and atmosphere, but the taste was incredibly ordinary, leaving me a bit disappointed. With such high expectations, it failed to exceed them, resulting in a lack of excitement. Perhaps Japanese palates have become too sophisticated when it comes to sweets. I suppose it's a wish that a specialty shop would offer something more delicious. Maybe the matcha fairs at chain stores or convenience store sweets are actually better. If you say it's geared towards inbound tourists and domestic visitors, I can see why!