Tokyo Matcha & Green Tea Cafes
From Real Uji to World's Strongest

A heritage green tea brand from Uji, Kyoto, founded in 1854, controlling every step from tea field to cup. Its only Tokyo outpost sits on the 4th floor of Ginza Six. The headline is the multi-layered parfait, built around matcha and hojicha in alternating jelly, soft-serve, mochi and azuki — widely considered the benchmark matcha parfait in the city.

A specialty green tea cafe in the Daimaru department store right by Tokyo Station's Yaesu side. Established in 1978 and tracing its heritage to Uji, it has a soft Kyoto-inspired interior — a calm escape from the station crush to sit with real matcha. Expect matcha lattes, parfaits, soft-serve, and the much-loved matcha kakigori (shaved ice).

A tea shop that opened in Tokyo back in 1853, teamed up with the Nanaya factory in Shizuoka to make what's billed as the world's strongest matcha gelato. You choose from seven levels of intensity — Level 1 is sweet and gently grassy, while Level 7 packs in so much matcha powder it turns deep, complex and bitter. It's a pilgrimage for serious matcha fans, and it sits right by Senso-ji Temple.

A matcha cafe that takes its tea seriously but keeps the atmosphere easy-going. It first opened in Nihonbashi in 2021 before moving to Higashi-Ginza, a short walk from Tsukiji Market and Ginza's department stores. The draw is freshly whisked matcha drinks and beautifully plated matcha desserts — genuine, high-quality matcha at a friendlier price than the department-store parfaits.

An elegant, hushed modern Japanese tea salon designed by Shinichiro Ogata, tucked on the 2nd floor of a quiet Ginza building. The menu lists more than 30 Japanese teas covering every processing method — matcha, gyokuro, sencha, bancha — each paired with handmade wagashi that change with the season every month. It's the place to come when you want to sit and sip real tea, slowly.

A modern, organic-focused matcha brand that has won over a younger crowd and photographers alike. The Harajuku branch splits into a cafe zone and a traditional tea-prep room, using freshly whisked organic leaf. The signature is a matcha latte that's more accessible than a department-store parfait. There's a second branch at Miyashita Park in Shibuya — perfect between shopping stops around Harajuku-Omotesando.

A historic Kyoto tea house with over 300 years of history, renowned for high-grade matcha and gyokuro that tea lovers worldwide seek out. Its Shin-Marunouchi store sits on the B1 level across from Tokyo Station and focuses on leaf and gifts to take away. Come here to buy ceremonial-grade matcha to whisk at home, or have staff recommend a tea that matches the flavour you like.

Another Uji-lineage green tea brand that travellers know well. After the original Ginza store closed, there's still a stand inside Ginza Six (limited seating). The strengths are swirled matcha-hojicha soft-serve, parfaits, and matcha drinks that are quick to order and quick to eat — handy mid-shop. If the queue at the bigger Nakamura Tokichi is too long, this is the faster alternative.

A modern matcha bar/stand in Ginza that blends the stillness of the tea ceremony with a fresh, urban energy. The focus is easy-drinking, freshly whisked matcha, and it opens early at 8am — perfect for grabbing a cup before a day exploring Ginza or as a quick pick-me-up between shops. It's compact and leans more takeaway than long sit-downs.