Enjoy Tea Anytime at a Japanese Tea Stand in Tokyo
What image comes to mind when thinking of Japanese tea? Some may think tea is an expensive beverage that is only enjoyed while seated on tatami mats.
In recent years, specialty shops stylized as “Japanese tea stands” have been popping up nationwide to share the charm of tea. At these shops, you can taste various brews such as genmaicha (roasted rice tea), matcha (powdered green tea), and sencha (regular green tea) at affordable prices.
Hachiya, located in Tokyo's Daikanyama district, is one of these specialty tea shops. Let’s enjoy traditional Japanese tea in this stylish space!
Hachiya: Connecting Contemporary Society With Japanese Tea
Hachiya is not a pricey cafe that sells tea in plastic bottles found at convenience stores. Rather, it was built to provide a new way to enjoy Japanese tea. The founders hope that it becomes a place that connects contemporary society with traditional Japanese tea.
Therefore, the Japanese tea-based beverages served here are in the similar price range as drinks sold at typical cafes.
Hachiju-Hachiya: The Story Behind the Store's Name
The name Hachiya comes from the word hachiju-hachiya, a significant day that marks the seasonal changes. In Japan, the period when spring starts shifting into summer happens around May 2, the 88th day of spring.
On the 88th day, the weather stabilizes and the first tea harvest occurs around this time. These tea leaves are considered to be especially delicious. The shop’s logo also features the number eight, which is considered a lucky number.
A Simple Design Representative of Japan
A white noren curtain hangs outside their wooden lattice entrance. This element of traditional Japanese aesthetics is simple yet refined.
Inside, the shop’s wallpaper resembles a camouflage pattern. However, this eye-catching design actually represents pine trees.
Carefully Selected Tea Leaves and Sets
The tea leaves at the shop are carefully selected from farms. These include the century-old Kaneju Farm in Shizuoka and Tea Farm Inokura in Nara. In particular, the cafe places importance on tea-making methods used by farmers and their interest in pursuing innovative ways of cultivating tea.
You can check out the loose tea leaves for yourself and sniff its wonderful fragrance. The features of each tea variety is also written on display cards.
The teapots for brewing are made from tsuiki (hand-hammered) copperware—an intangible cultural property of Niigata. These teapots make it possible to taste the natural sweetness of the tea leaves.
The temperature for brewing sencha tea is 80°C (176°F), while for hojicha (roasted green tea) and genmaicha is 100°C (212°F). By maintaining these temperatures, you can preserve the high-quality taste of tea in every cup.
Additionally, the tea caddies are products from Kaikado, the first place in Japan to produce handmade tea caddies. These airtight containers prevent moisture and store tea leaves at an optimal state.
The Menu Features a Variety of Drinks
The cafe menu features a variety of drinks, including a special sencha, hojicha, yuzu sencha (citrus green tea), and genmaicha. There are also lattes with flavors such as matcha and black sesame. You can order your drinks for takeout or dine-in at the shop's counter.
For this article, we ordered the Green Tea Soda with Fruit (700 yen after tax). This multilayered drink is made with seasonal fruit, green tea jelly, and an innovative chilled carbonated green tea. You will become addicted to the taste in one sip!
Pictured above is the Matcha Smoothie (small, 530 yen after tax). White bean jam is added to the whipped cream garnished on top. In place of syrup, the mildly sweet wasanbon sugar gives a flavor that is easy on the tastebuds.
Order Some Wagashi Sweets With Your Tea
If you’re in the mood for sweets, place an order of Anmitsu (480 yen after tax) to accompany your tea. This dessert contains red bean paste, agar-agar cubes, and seasonal fruit topped with molasses syrup. It has a delightful natural sweetness that mesmerizes customers.
The cafe also sells karinto snacks (380 yen after tax per bag) as souvenirs. This snack resembles a classic cookie made by kneading wheat flour and malt syrup to make a dough. It is then fried and dusted with brown sugar. The available flavors are matcha, dark brown sugar, hojicha, and sesame.
Drop by During a Walk Around Daikanyama
If you order a matcha beverage, the staff will prepare your drink with a tea whisk.
Are you interested in experiencing a new type of tea culture at Hachiya? Then take a walk around Daikanyama and stop by for a sip of unique Japanese tea.
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In cooperation with Hachiya
