The Matcha Boom Is Here! Top 10 Recommended Shops (Also Popular with Foreign Tourists)

The Matcha Boom Is Here! Top 10 Recommended Shops (Also Popular with International Tourists)

Against the backdrop of a global health-conscious trend and a boom in Japanese culture, Japanese matcha is now attracting worldwide attention as a "superfood." Its appeal continues to evolve in a wide range of ways, from matcha lattes and matcha sweets to tea ceremony experiences and creative matcha-based dishes. Here are the top 10 shops and experience spots for matcha fans across Japan. Visiting them during your trip will allow you to experience not only their delicious flavors but also the depth of Japanese culture.

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1. Tsujiri – Kyoto

A long-established shop founded in 1860. Its matcha parfaits, matcha soft-serve ice cream, and rich matcha lattes are popular. You can enjoy them at Kyoto Station or the Gion flagship store.

2. Saryo Tsujiri – Gion, Kyoto

The gold standard for matcha sweets. Its parfaits and anmitsu are made with plenty of matcha and are highly popular with international tourists.

3. Nakamura Tokichi – Uji

A long-established tea shop with its flagship store in Uji, the heart of matcha production. You can also enjoy matcha jelly and matcha soba. The view from the attached cafe is also a highlight.

4. Ippodo Tea – Kyoto

A prestigious specialty Japanese tea shop. You can experience whisking matcha from scratch and purchase tea leaves.

5. Hamasazen – Shizuoka

A community-focused spot where you can enjoy Japanese sweets and iced tea made with Shizuoka matcha. It is easy to stop by while sightseeing.

6. nana’s green tea – Nationwide

A modern matcha sweets cafe chain. With locations nationwide, it is easy to access and offers a wide variety of matcha lattes.

7. 108 Matcha Saro – Hokkaido, Tokyo, and More

It offers a wide range of matcha-themed sweets, including matcha taiyaki and matcha dorayaki. It is also convenient for takeout.

8. WAKO Tea Ceremony Experience – Tokyo

A tea ceremony class popular with international tourists. Explanations are available in English, and you can learn everything from how to whisk matcha to proper etiquette.

9. Marukyu Koyamaen – Kyoto

A long-established shop based in Ujitawara, a major matcha-producing region. The richness of the matcha sweets available at its cafe is exceptional.

10. Edo Saryo – Shibuya, Aoyama, and Harajuku

A cultural experience spot that has become a hot topic among international tourists, with three locations in popular areas of Tokyo. At Edo Saryo, you can experience the traditional art of painting ceramics that dates back to the Edo period and enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets using the tea set you created on the spot.

• Beginners welcome: Staff will kindly guide you through brushwork and color selection

• Completed in a short time: You can experience it between sightseeing and shopping (approx. 90–120 minutes)

• Perfect as a souvenir: Take home a one-of-a-kind tea set you made that same day

▼ Book online here (※ Replace with the actual URL)

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Tips for Enjoying the Matcha Boom

• For popular shops, visiting in the morning or on a weekday is recommended

• Combining visits to sweets shops with tea ceremony and cultural experiences will make your trip even more fulfilling

• Experiences like Edo Saryo’s “create + enjoy” activity are highly satisfying and perfect for social media

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