About food in Japan

cafe & books bibliotheque, Yurakucho Tokyo

Weekend afternoon in Ginza area, it is not easy to find a cozy cafe without waiting for a half hour or so. Tables at nice cafe are always occupied with people. Space is rarely available when we need to take a break. 

So this cafe will be an option in such case. In spite of the very-central location and really cozy space, it is not so crowded in many cases. 

cafe & books bibliotheque is accommodated in LUMINE Yurakucho, one of the largest shopping complex in the area, just next to Ginza. It is 30 second from JR Yurakucho station.

From the shopping corridor on the 3rd floor, it could not be identified as a cafe. Some books and goods are displayed and piled up in front ot the unit. Over the book shelf, the cafe exists.

 

Even in the cafe space, nice beautiful books are displayed. 

 

Both lower arm chairs or high table for meal or work are available.

Whether it is for lunch, tea break or dinner,

the cafe provides some attractive options at relatively reasonable cost.

 

"Monthly" different pancake with anglaise sauce

Very attractive looking!!

Can't stop ordering when we find someone having it...

 

Moroccan mint tea

Served with glass cup and by a silver pot.

Rare to find this pair in Japan!

 

 

Lasagna with ricotta cheese for dinner time,

as an example

 

 

Alhtough the cafe has less Japanese flavor, it will be a good option to take a tea break or to have Western taste for dinner or lunch at reasonable price in Ginza.

Enjoy relaxing break time in the cosmopolitan cafe!!

 

Cafe name:  cafe & books bibliotheque

Address: 3rd floor LUMINE Yurakucho 1, 2-5-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Official homepage: http://www.cporganizing.com/bibliotheque/tokyo/concept

 

 

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Azabu Sabo(麻布茶房), assured Japanese sweets cafe

At the end of our featuring Japanese sweets cafe, we would like to propose a tea salon chain having several units in central Tokyo.

Azabu Sabo (麻布茶房) offers various choices of Japanese traditional sweets in their modern but elegantly decorated room at tens of locations across Japan. Many of the chain units are spacious as tea salon where Japanese traditional sweets are mainly provided. Tables are also large enough even for their lunch set menu.

 

Some units have chandelier like the one at Osaki Gate City

also with some Japanese traditional arts such as caligraphy, porcelin.

    

 

A showcase with food sample and menu with plenty of food photos

will also make you feel more comfortable to choose what you want.

 

 

Azabu Sabo offers amazingly wide choice and variation. All are with Japanese traditional ingredients such as matcha (抹茶, green tea), shiratama (白玉, white dumpling), an (餡, sweet beans paste), and tokoroten (ところてん, seaweed jelly) and further more with different types of combination. They always make us be in a trouble to select just one or two if you would, because of the attractive options. 

 

For example,

warabi-mochi (わらびもち, soft cake made from a kind of potato) plate,

simply put kinako (きな粉, soybean flour) around it.

Syrup will be added on top of cake later.

   

 

As arranged version with warabi-mochi,

warabi-mochi anmitsu (わらびもちあんみつ), or potato soft cake

topped on sweet beans paste, kanten jelly and some fruits.

  
So many kinds of Japanese traditional flavour!

 

Azabu Sabo has its units in major area of Tokyo such as Hibiya (日比谷, between Shimbashi and Ginza), Shinagawa (品川), Shibuya (渋谷). The tea salon also provides intersting lunch menu such as ju (重, in square lunch box) of pork teriyaki topped on rice and udon noodle with chicken etc.

We hope you can find one of Azabu Sabo units near your accommodation or on the way to your activities.

 

Cafe name: Azabu Sabo (麻布茶房)

Official site: http://www.amaya-company.co.jp

Major unit locations:

Hibiya Chanter

Address: B2 floor, 1-2-2 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

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Shibuya Tokyu Plaza

Address: 9th floor, Tokyu Plaza, 1-2-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo

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Wing Takanawa (Shinagawa)

Address: 2nd floor, Wing Takanawa, 4-10-18 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo

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Osaki Gate City

Address: 1st floor West Tower, 1-11-1 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

 

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Kammi Okame(甘味おかめ), Old folk house in the latest commercial complex

Kammi Okame (甘味おかめ) is a cozy cafe close to JR Yurakucho station which will be a gateway to Ginza, Imperial Palace or Tokyo International Forum. The cafe has run its business over 60 years in the area. The unit is decorated by Japanese traditional folk arts, where many of local feel as if he/she stays in grandmum's house.

 

If we read a page of the menu book, Okame introduces its charming folk decorations and fixture.

 

It says ...

The interior consists of main beams brought from a house built over 200 years ago in Tochigi prefecture. And with other selected materials, the construction work is in a tradional way to build a folk house.

Funiture here are all handmade with signature of each craftman worked and based in Matsumoto, Nagano prefecture.

Cutting paper arts decorated on the wall are works by Mr. Serizawa, a Libing National Tresure. Table wares, spoons and glass bowls are also carefylly selected items. 

 

  

It means Kammi Okame created the space, gathering the higest technique of Japanese traditional craftworks across Japan. It will be great that we are able to be in the world as long as we spend less than Yen1000 for a sweet plate or drink.

 

Of course sweet plates offered by Kammi Okame are also very attractive. They are in traditional style and perfectly matched with its charming interior decoration.

It provides several variations of Anmitsu and other "parfait" style dessert plates. Among them,

what we chose is "Soft Fuji" (ソフト富士)

Soft cream of Matcha (green tea) flavor is

heaped up high like Mt. Fuji with dumpling on foot.

 

By the way, the space where we are enjoying the grand-mum-house like atmosphere is accommodated in one of the latest shopping complex, ITOCIA nowaday. The tradtional style cafe is re-stored in the completely new place but with folk style inside.

When we get out from the cafe, we have been moved back to the world of modern days in bustling location of Yurakucho and encounter hundreds of people walking around for shopping or business.

Wow, we are reminded that it is a precious moment to be at Kammi Okame for a while enjoying the traditional folk works and Japanese sweets.

Will come back again soon!

 

Cafe Name: Kammi Okame (甘味おかめ)

Address: ITOCIA Plaza 1st floor, 2-7-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

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Japanese traditional sweets from Kyoto

Following our post on last month about Japanese tea salon, Toraya Akasaka, we will feature other cafe or spots where you can enjoy Japanese traditional style sweets. 

Today we start the series from two cafes by established tea house brands from Kyoto.

Saryo Tsujiri (茶寮都路里) was launched in 1978 by Gion Tsujiri (祇園辻利) an established green tea producer with 150years history which aimed to introduce traditional ways to brew and enjoy Japanese tea to young generations. Even at the unit in Shiodome, newly developped area of central Tokyo close to Shimbashi and Ginza, Tsujiri offers elegant atmosphere like a Japanese tea room in Kyoto with selected green tea from the ancient town.

Sometimes, tens of local ladies are queuing up in front of the Kyoto style cafe in order to be pleased by parfait of matcha flavor etc. Tsujiri provides so many different versions of parfait and other sweets dishes that make us be in trouble to choose just one. 

Matcha mousse topped with, looks relatively "humble",

both ice cream and jelly in Matcha flavor, anko (beans paste) and a piece of mallon 

  

It gives us a chance to enjoy Matcha in different forms.

 

Cafe name: Tsujiri (都路里) at Caretta Shiodome

Address: B2 floor, Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Official site (in Japanese): http://www.giontsujiri.co.jp/saryo/store/tokyo_shiodome/ 

*********** UPDATE on 9th September 2013 ***********

We found Tsujiri in Caretta Shiodome featured above was closed.

As alternative, Tsujiri has another unit at Daimaru Tokyo Department in Tokyo.

Cafe name: Tsujiri Daimaru Tokyo

Address: 10th floor, Daimaru Tokyo, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

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After the Tsujiri's cosy space in Kyoto flavor, we show an alternative Japanese sweets cafe that maybe more suitable for those who do not have so much time to be relaxed for long time. 

Hayashiya is also an established green tea producer which is proud of over two-century long history. The company has cultivated green tea leaves in Uji (宇治), Kyoto from late 19th century and opened cafe units in Tokyo area from the beginning of 21st century. Hayashiya is one of the most popular Kyoto style cafe among locals. 

Well, Hayashiya Chaen(tea garden, 林屋茶園)'s unit in Shinjuku is accommodated on B2 (2nd basement) floor of a major shopping complex LUMINE 1 attached to JR Shinjuku station. It is about 5minutes walk from JR ticket gate South Exit through the busiest station inside. Just keep in mind that LUMINE has several units around JR Shinjuku station. Please try to find the right building LUMINE "1" next to Keio department store.

Hayashiya Chaen LUMINE Shinjuku1 is a tiny counter bar-style shop where we can find only several seats. First you need to order at the cash counter and take a seat. Your plates and drink will be ready soon. The menu with some photos will make you feel easier to find what you want and to order it. 

Not only the sweets plates with various version of green tea, also try the unique tea drink.

Matcha jelly, soft cream and mousse

 and Hojicha (grilled Japanese tea) with milk behind

 

It will take only 10 minutes to enjoy the sweets in Japanese traditional flavor in central Shinjuku.

Take a short break during shopping or before/after excursion to Hakone etc.

 

Cafe name: Hayashiya Chaen (林屋茶園)　at LUMINE Shinjuku 1

Address: B2 floor, LUMINE Shinjuku 1, 1-1-5 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Official site (in Japanese) : http://www.kyo-hayashiya.com/lumine.html 

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Japanese tea salon - Toraya Akasaka flagship store(虎屋赤坂本店), Tokyo

As same with meal, Japanese sweets or confectionery is also unique and based on long tradition. We have introduced Japanese sweets and places to enjoy the delicacies time by time. For example: We showed beautiful small cakes in Japanese traditional style at "Wagashi (和菓子） - Shimizu (清水） in Kagurazaka" and reported traditional sweets making experience in Kanazawa, Hokuriku region on "Japanese Sweets making experience – Kanazawa (金沢)." As recommendable Japanese tea salon or cafe, we mentioned about a modern but sophisticated "Japanese Tea Salon - Higashiya, Ginza Tokyo" and a typical traditional style cafe "Takemura (竹むら), Japanese traditional sweets cafe".

A place to have Japanese traditional sweets is called in some different ways such as "Kanmi-dokoro (甘味処, sweets place)", "Saryo (茶寮, tea house)", "Sabo (茶房, tea place)", "Wa Cafe (和カフェ, Japanese style cafe)" etc. Some are very traditional and newers are modern and look like Western style cafe from outside. That might confuse you to know what it is. Anyway the best way will be to look at menu what they provide (many have menu with photos) and to look around space and what other people have. Whatever it is called, if many people are there and look happy with the place and sweets, you will also have a good experience. In central Tokyo, in general, comfortable tea rooms are likely to be busy with ladies on afternoon even on weekday.   

Toraya Akasaka flagship store (虎屋 赤坂本店) is also one of our recommendable tea salons to feel fine Japanese atmosphere. Toraya (虎屋) is an established sweets maker born in Kyoto over five hundreds years ago. In the past we posted two articles of units under Toraya chain brand,"Toraya Cafe, Roppongi (トラヤカフェ, 六本木)" and "Breakfast at Toraya Cafe Aoyama." They are newer and modern shops by the traditional sweets house. Now we come back to the original where traditional Japanese sweets are served.

Toraya Akasaka flagship store is located along Aoyama Street. It takes about 5-minute-walk from Akasaka Mitsuke (赤坂見附) station and not far from Hotel New Otani and TBS broadcasting center. As per Toraya's official site, the sweets producer has a factory just next to Akasaka Imperial Palace, in prime location close to the flagship store. Toraya's products have been provided on the Imperial family of Japan even since Edo period, when the family was based in Kyoto.

If you leant Hiragana (Japanese letters), you might wonder the logo expressing as "やらと" (Ya Ra To) opposite of "Toraya (とらや)." It implies the house exists since Edo period when people wrote letters from left to right, not in the modern way as same with Western world right to left. Yes, Toraya has used the logo for hundreds of years.

 

Toraya boutique is on the ground floor of the flagship store and the tea salon (Toraya Saryo, 虎屋茶寮) is on the underground floor. The building and interior are modern and clean. The tea salon is peacefully calm with graceful guests and staff as if it was on a tea ceremony.

 

Toraya tea salon offers some set menu including a piece of traditional sweets such as Yokan (羊羹, beans cake) or Nama-gashi (生菓子, fresh cake), the house's major product and green tea.

 

 

 

 

This is a set of Seasonal Yokan, the most-known Toraya's product

and Matcha (powdered green tea often sereved at a tea ceremony).

 

Seasonal Yokan at that time, the end of February is

"Kobai (紅梅, red Japanese plum)"

It's a way in which we appreicate the beauty of each season, through food and sweets.

 

The bowl of Matcha is with pictures of smiley Hina Dolls (ひな人形)

which are symbols of Girls' Festival (Hina-Matsuri, ひな祭り) on 3rd March.

Obviously the bowl is used only for limited period. 

Toraya changes even bowls by season.

The hospitality comes from the spirit of tea ceremony.

 

 Toraya Saryo (虎屋茶寮) tea salon has also units at Ginza Chuo main street, Imperial Hotel Tokyo, Isetan Department in Shinjuku. We guess the flagship store in Akasaka provides the most peceful environment and sublime atomosphere among them.

 

Name: Toraya Akasaka Honten (虎屋赤坂本店), Toraya Saryo (虎屋茶寮)

Address: 4-9-22, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Toraya Saryo Official site: http://www.toraya-group.co.jp/shops/sho04.html 

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****** Our recommendable accommodation around this restaurant *******

ANA InterContinental Hotel

Hotel New Otani Tokyo

The Capitol Hotel Tokyu

the b Akasaka

*************************************************************************

 

 

 

 

Castle Town Odawara (小田原)

Odawara (小田原) is a castle town in Kanagawa prefecture, situating between Tokyo or Yokohama and Hakone Hot spring resort (箱根温泉地). It takes only 35 minutes by Shinkansen or about 70 minutes journey even by JR local express trains (Tokaido Line) from Tokyo. It must be the most closest castle town from Tokyo, apart from Edo castle or Imperial Palace in central Tokyo.

 

Odawara Castle is 10 mintes walk from Odawara train station, following the town's main street to the castle gate. 

 

Top floors of Odawara Castle is accessible as exhibition halls and observation deck. So going through to the castle garden, climbing up to the top!!

 

At the garden surrounding Odawara Castle, on February, you will find plum (Ume, 梅) blossoms which is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Odawara Castle for local people. The weather is still cold on the month but it is a sign of coming Spring.  

Enjoying the nature plants and looking at the castle from different sides, don't give up going up to the castle top!! 

 

We also found monkeies at the castle park just before the castle main tower... 

 

 

 

 

It will be a good half-day exercise to climb up to the castle top and walk around the castel park.

 

The reward of climing up exercise is

the VIEW from the TOP of Odawara Castel

 

 Odawara town, Pacific Ocean and mountains

You will find Odawara town's unique location

in narrow area between Ocean and mountains.

It was strategically choosen by former Samurai governors.

 

The exhibition halls inside the castle main tower is also recommendable to spend around 20- 30minutes to watch the interesting collections from Edo period. Cultural works, folk objects at the exhibition will tell you tradition and life of Japanese in Edo era. 

After enjoying the beautiful shape of historical castle, let's find FOOD or Sweets in Odawara.

Japanese traditional sweets have been often cultivated by local governors as a part of rich local culture.

Here we introduce two most interesting sweets souvenir in Odawara.

 

Firstly from the souvenir shop on the top floor of Odawara Castle,

Buke Yokan (武家ようかん, Samurai family sweet beans cake)

  

Each different family emblem with name of Samurai

is attached to each box of Yokan.

As it has tens choices of Samurai name and emblems,

even if you don't know each of them,

it must be fun to look around the variaties of emblems and colors.

 

Next our finding is from a small local sweet boutique, called Fugetsudo (風月堂).

It is less than 5 minutes walk from Odawara Castle and along one of the town's main street.

Fugetsudo is a popular name for Japanese traditional sweet shops. You could find a shop with same name in other towns. The most famous one is in Kobe and sells "Gaufre" cookies. Each of them is different and not a chain affiliate. Just for your information.

 

 

 

Castle Monaka(城下町もなか, Joka machi monaka)

by Fugetsudo Odawara

Amazing small piece of Monaka (sweet beans cake with shells)

in shape of CASTLE!!!

It's a great Japanese art work,

which you can bring back to your country.

(have to keep in a box, so as not to be broken though)

 

It will be an interesting full-day excursion to go out from Tokyo by Shinkansen or local JR train and to walk around Odawara Castle as well as the old town surrounding the castle, discovering traditional products like above.

 

Odawara Castle  

Nearest station: Odawara (JR and Odakyu lines)

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Shop name: Fugetsudo Odawara (風月堂)

Address: 1-10-20 Honcho, Odawara-city, Kanagawa

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The MONOCLE cafe, Yurakucho, Tokyo

Some of you may know an English magazine published from London, MONOCLE. In Ginza, Tokyo, we can find the first cafe in the world produced by the chef editor of MONOCLE.  

THE MONOCLE CAFE is on the underground floor of Hankyu Men's Tokyo, which is a department complex focusing on upper scale brands of male fashion. In one of the busies shopping areas of Japan, situated a few minutes walk from Yurakucho station, the cafe is a stylish and peaceful place to take a rest or to read a book, of course for all including ladies.

The cafe is thoughtfully created by the chef editor of MONOCLE magazine, payed attentions to detail in design and the concept, as exactly same with the magazine. The interior decoration is simple but warm with natural touch. Seat style varies from sofa for a small group of around 3 to 5 to desk-hight counter suit for nomad workers.

  

The lamps hung from ceiling there are same model with what is used in the MONOCLE's office in UK. Snow (not cotton!!) is decorated on top of lamp shades for Winter season.

Bookshelf and posters on the wall create the unique stylish and intellectual atmosphere.

The food on the menu list is known as favorites of the MONOCLE chef editor who has a lot of traveling experiences around the world. 

For example, MONOCLE curry (as below photo) and Pork cutlet sandwich are the chef editor's favorite Japanese menu. 

    

Coffee is also one of the exclusive selections, from OMOTESANDO KOFFEE, a small but high quality independent coffee stand by skilled baristas.

The cube shape sweet is also produced by the highly-reputated coffee shop, aiming at the best match with their coffee. It will surely give us a peaceful coffee break time. 

   

Not only above, various choices from the list of sandwich, sweets, deli-snacks and alcohol drinks are available from noon to early evening.

 

Cafe name: THE MONOCLE CAFE

Address: 2-5-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (in Yurakucho Marion マリオン)

Official website of Hankyu Men's Tokyo: http://www.hankyu-dept.co.jp/mens-tokyo/

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Takemura (竹むら), Japanese traditional sweets cafe

 Have you ever tried Japanese traditional style "parfait" called "Anmitsu (あんみつ)"?

If  you would try in Tokyo, a traditional style cafe, Takemura is a perfect place for it.

We are not sure if we should call it "cafe", because it is completely different from the one from Western world. It is called "Kanmi-dokoro (甘味処, sweets place)" in Japanese, representing a place serving Japanese traditional dessert plates with Japanese tea. Usually they do not provide coffee nor a piece of chocolate cake but do Japanese tea and traditional dessert. At least it can be in same cateogry as a place where people can enjoy sweets & drink as well as chatting or taking a break in cozy atmosphere.  As Japan is modernized, many of such traditional space has been disappeared unfortunately.  Takemura with over 80 years history is a  valuable "Kanmi-dokoro" in central Tokyo. 

Takemura is accommodated in traditional wooden house, which is registered as Tokyo's historical heritage.

The intereior is also typical and rustic Japanese style with wood beams and paper sliding doors "shoji". We are quite sure that the scene would never change since it opened in early 20 century.

A part of seats are on tatami floor, where we can be relaxed after removing our shoes.

 

 

 

 

 

Upon arrival,we were welcomed with cherry flower in hot water,

instead of ordinary Japanese tea.

To visit the sweets house will be already a romantic moment to experience Japanese traditional culture, whatever you have there... 

But at the same time, whatever you order, all are Japanese traditional food. Takemura's specialities are "age-manju (fried Japanese style cake with bean paste inside)" that can rarely be found in other places and "oshiruko (sweet bean soup)" served since the cafe's opening. 

Our recommendable menu is "Anmitsu", a kind of Japanese style "parfait". As the name comes from "an" (餡, red bean paste) topped with "mitsu" (syrup), red bean paste is one of the essential ingredients of Anmitsu. It also has clear cubes of "kanten" (agar, jelly made from a kind of seaweed) and some pieces of fruits in syrup.

Anmitsu often appears on menu with several variations...

with a scoop of vanilla ice cream - Cream anmitsu (クリームあんみつ)

with shiratama (chewey starch dumplings) - Shiratama anmitsu (白玉あんみつ)

with beans  - Mitsumame (みつ豆)

At Takemura, you can also find 

with dried apricot - Anzu anmitsu (あんずあんみつ)

It is upto what you want! In any case, you can enjoy some different types of ingredients all won't be too sweet like a chocolate cake. In addition, they are healthy with beans and seaweed jelly. Surely they are better match with Japanese tea served with your Anmitsu bowl.

 

Enjoy a time trip to an old day in Japan with the fancy Japanese traditional sweets.

Takemura is about 10 minutes walk from Akihabara, the biggest electronics town in Japan. You could take a good journey to Takemura after shopping in the modern world.

Takemura is also close to another heritage, two soba noodle restaurant "Kanda Matsuya" and "Yabusoba" both already introduced on our blog previously. Some people drop by Takemura for dessert after enjoying traditional noodle at either of the soba restaurants.

 

Cafe name: Takemura (竹むら)

Address: 1-19 Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

No official website! 

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Breakfast at Toraya Cafe Aoyama

Breakfast must be essetial moment for travelers wherever they go. So this month, About Food in Japan would like to introduce you nice breakfast spots in Tokyo.

The first one for today is TORAYA CAFE in Aoyama (青山). 

Aoyama is a posh shopping district with luxury boutiques between Shibuya and Akasaka or Roppongi. Toraya Cafe is adjacent to Aoyama itchome subway station and in Shin-Aoyama building on another side of Akasaka Royal Residence along Aoyama street.

Toraya is originally established Japanese sweets maker born in 16th century. Some of you may know its unit in Paris. Toraya cafe is created by the traditional sweets producer, aimed at introducing innovative products with their specialty "an"(sweet beans paste) in Western style recipe. We featured Toraya cafe in Roppongi Hills previously. Please refer the page for their modern sweets for afternoon tea break. 

Well, today we focus on breakfast at Toraya Cafe Aoyama. The breakfast menu by Toraya cafe is exclusive at Aoyama unit.

 

This is the most recommendable signature breakfast menu.

It looks like ordinary sandwich?

Yes at a glance, but it's special and Japanese version...

 

The different exists between two pieces of breads.

 

  
Still look like they are peanuts and chocolate paste?!

Could be ... but they are

"white sesame  and soy bean flour" paste

(the one in breads with sesame)

and 

"an" paste (made from red beans).

All are ingredients that Toraya often uses for its traditional Japanese sweets.

 

They are light in taste compared with chocolate or peanut paste and, we guess, less oily and more healthy. Still they are well matched with coffee rather than Japanese green tea. It's a great work by the master of handling Japanese traditional sweets.

 

Enjoy the "slightly" Japanese style breakfast at Toraya Cafe Aoyama.

The cafe provides breakfast menu from 8 a.m. for WEEKDAY. It's close on Sunday and Holiday, because of business district location.

 

 

Cafe name: Toraya Cafe

Official site: http://www.toraya-cafe.co.jp/

 

Address: Shin-Aoyama Building,West building B1F 1-1-1 Minami-Aoyama,Minato-ku,Tokyo

 

 

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Japanese Tea Salon - Higashiya, Ginza Tokyo

At Ginza, the best known luxury shopping district in Japan, it is not easy even for locals to find a cozy place for tea break during exciting shopping hours.

Higashiya, locating on the north part or 1-chome of Ginza, is one of such options, very sophisticated oasis. The "Japanese Tea Salon", as it calls itself, is on the second floor of POLA Ginza building, a property by the established Japanese cosmetic company.

Like the cosmetic brand on the ground floor, the space of Higashiya tea salon looks both peaceful and beautiful with arts placed on the wall, modern lighting and warm wooden tables and chairs. It is also quiet and people enjoy their own "tea ceremony" without any kind of noisy disturbance.

 

It offers fantastic selection of Japanese tea in term of the number of options and quality of listed products as well as Japanese traditional sweets. Otherwise choose the tea set at just over Yen 1000. Then you will have small pieces of seasonal Japanese sweets and again seasonal recommendable tea.

 

 

Don't forget bringing a book or someting to read instead of your moile phone to talk with someone. That is what is the best way to spend time and fully to enjoy at Higashiya, Japanese Tea Salon, we believe.

     

 

Lastly, we also recommend that you "pay a visit to the toilet" without fail.

It is the best and the most comfortable toilet that I have ever seen in Japan and in the world. I visited ladies' room only of course. Sorry for gentlemen, as we do not know how it is for you. 

We would not tell you how it is great so you can enjoy finding it.

Cafe name: Higashiya Ginza

Address: 2nd floor POLA Ginza, 1-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Website: http://www.higashiya.com 

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