Hyperlocal Tokyo

August 15th (Thursday), around 2 PM I waited about 30 minutes to be seated inside. The space was so pleasant that it wasn't a hardship. I ordered the 'Ice Gobo Bin' (a type of Japanese dessert). It was quite large, but I didn't get bored and finished it all. The price for a single item is under ¥2,000 before tax. A set with matcha or hojicha tea is around ¥2,500. You can order a drink at the set price even after you finish your meal. The set comes with a beautiful cherry blossom tea with actual cherry blossoms inside (I forgot to take a picture). *Photography is not allowed inside, but food and drinks are OK. It's a shame because the interior is also very beautiful. I saw some people raving about the 'nerikiri' (a type of Japanese confectionery), so I'd like to try the matcha and sweets set next time.

While the seating area is never spacious, they've made the most of the limited space to create a comfortable tea experience. The matcha is carefully prepared and served with attention to detail. The sweets offered are seasonal and so delicious that you'll find yourself wanting more. The tableware is also carefully chosen to enhance the beauty of the tea, and the decorations reflect a meticulous attention to detail. The interior design maximizes the traditional Japanese atmosphere. Due to the location, customers come and go frequently, creating a sense of urgency to leave. However, if you can find a less busy time, it would be a wonderful place to relax and enjoy yourself.

Located in the Ginza Matsuya basement food court, "Cha no Ha" is a Japanese tea specialty shop with a cafe. Their popular summer menu item is the "Hyogoho Bin", a generous serving of shaved ice. Five types of fruit, including pickled plums, plums, apricots, and berries, are bottled and drizzled over the ice like a plum syrup. A layer of agar-agar sits at the bottom. While recently, sweet and rich sauces have become popular, this dessert offers a refreshing sweetness with a focus on acidity. The ice takes on a soft pink gradient, creating a magical effect in the dimly lit cafe. The "Goho" fruit, which changes texture as it absorbs the syrup, is a defining characteristic of this menu. During the summer, Ginza is bustling with people lining up for shaved ice in the heat. The cool atmosphere of "Cha no Ha" makes it a welcome respite from the wait.

You can enjoy hand-drip tea here. It's located in the heart of Ginza, in the basement of the Matsuya department store, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable for its location. The green tea and sweets set is 880 yen. The Japanese sweets were good, but a little too sweet for me. My friend who I went with seemed satisfied. It was empty when we arrived on a weekday, but it was full by the time we left. It's all about timing. I love this place and would recommend it to my friends. ⭐️5 stars I only post 5-star reviews on Instagram. IG:taiwan_natural_you

If it's not crowded, it's a 5-star experience. I visited after confirming they had the 'Hyogohobin' (ice dessert). It was delicious, the best 'Hyogohobin' I've had in years. The tea that came with the set was sencha, and I chose a roasted flavor. The aroma was amazing, I was so impressed. I had to leave in a hurry because I was short on time, but it's a great place to relax. The extra ice (with plum syrup, it's small) tasted quite like plum wine. (The size is about the same as a person's face, so be careful.) Early August 2022. I was able to enjoy the 'Hyogohobin' again this year. I also tried the seasonal confection, 'Kuzudama' (kudzu jelly).