Hi, everyone. I’m Shiota, the director of the MOSHI MOSHI BOX Harajuku Tourist Information Center.

 

I recently visited the Japanese matcha stand and cafe Hachiya which opened in Sendagaya, an area within Shibuya that is lined with many different cafes, each with their own unique touch.

The entrance to Hachiya is stylish and breathes a nostalgic Japanese atmosphere. Outside the cafe is a bench made from bamboo and gravel spread across the ground.

The logo for the name of the shop is coupled with a family crest symbol, a style very popular right now in Japan. It's a very polished design.

The interior decor is simple with just a counter. The impressive walls are decorated with waves reminiscent of ukiyo-e.

The shelved tableware display is lined with pieces collected from different countries by the cafe's designer.

Bonsai trees are experiencing a global boom right now. This bonsai in Hachiya sits subtly and sophisticated.

 

At Hachiya they don't just use tea leaves - they also incorporate each and every tool of the highest quality including teapots. I was spoiled for choice with Hachiya's menu, but I managed to pick 3 items to show today.

"Inokura Kiu" (¥450)

 

This cup of tea was made with tea leaves harvested from "Tea Farm Inokura" in Tsukigase, Nara.

The tea at Hachiya is single and double brewed. It has amazing flavour right up to the very last drop.

 

Japanese tea making is a delicate processes where the temperature of the hot water, steam time and pouring speed can change the flavour entirely.

 

As the orders come in, the staff at Hachiya prepare each cup one by one with utmost precision. Watching their beautiful finger work while waiting for your tea is a relaxing moment of real bliss.

"Houjicha Smoothie" (Small ￥500 / Large ￥600)

 

They have 3 types of smoothie on the smoothie menu: green tea, houjicha and matcha. I chose the houjicha smoothie this time which is special for its aromatic fragrance.

 

It uses white bean paste instead of sugar meaning you can enjoy an elegant sweetness together with a faint touch of anko.

The lattes and smoothies on the Hachiya menu are both moderately sweet. You can customize the sweetness to your liking with the honey and refined sugar available at the counter.

"Kajitsu Tansan Reicha" (¥700)

 

This drink is a unique combination of tea, carbonated water and fruits.

Various fruits bob around inside including 2 grapes, lemon and pomegranate. The fruits used in the drink are changed depending on the season.

Any bitterness is removed by the fresh lemon, giving it a refreshing taste that you wouldn't think is tea. At the bottom of the cup is jelly tea. As expected of a tea shop!

Besides drinks at Hachiya, other sweet delicacies they sell include anmitsu, soft cream, daifuku and karinto.

The 3 goodies I've shown you today are available at both the Sendagaya branch of Hachiya that I visited and the Daikanyama branch.

 

If you're in Harajuku and need to kick back a little bit, then why not visit the Japanese tea stand and cafe Hachiya in Sendagaya to try one of their original teas?

 

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Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

 

Hachiya is a tea stand and cafe whose concept aims to reconstruct the culture of Japanese tea for the modern world. It has just released two new beverages inspired by the New Year and winter snow: the Sweet Sake Soy Milk Smoothie and Sweet Sake Smoothie. Available until January 31, these new drinks are served with gold leaf to capture the spirit of the New Year season. The gold leaf will stop being served once the stock has run out.   These smoothies have a Japanese essence to them from the smooth and full-bodied sweet sake which contains sake lees and rice malt combined with the sweetness of white bean jam. Since the sake contains sake lees the drink does contain alcohol (less than 1%).

Sweet Sake Soy Milk Smoothie: Small Size - ¥650 (Tax Included)

The fusion of sweet sake and soy milk gives this drink a creamy finish every sip.

Sweet Sake Smoothie: Small Size - ¥600 (Tax Included)

There is a rich taste of sweet sake that melts through the sweetness of the mellow milk in this drink.   Welcome the New Year with Hachiya's new drink options inspired by piled up white snow.

The Japanese tea specialty store, “Hachiya’s” Sendagaya store will open on the 1^st of December 2017 (Fri.) and the store in Daikanyama will open on the 5^th of December (Tue.).

Under the concept of “recreating the culture of Japanese tea,” the popular fashion designer produced these stores. In addition to the standard original menu items of “Hachiya” such as green tea, roasted green tea and brown rice tea, they will offer natural and strictly selected menu itmes such as tea latte made using a bamboo whisk and Japanese desserts that go well with teas.

The name of the store “Hachiya” came from “Hachiju Hachiya” which is known as the day to begin harvesting tea leaves (the tea leaves harvested in Hachiju Hachiya has been known as a pick which brings luck” and the kanji character “八(eight)” which is known as a number which brings luck.

 

The tea latte is a mixture of powder green tea and milk mixed with a bamboo whisk. They are aiming to introduce the tea culture of Japan to customers by presenting how this product is made.

 

“Sencha Soda” which is an original product of the store is a new kind of green tea which has a fresh flavor. “Fruit Iri Sencha Soda” is a drink where you can enjoy the texture including the jelly and fresh fruit.

Moreover, a simple tea where you can enjoy the real flavor of tea leaves made with the special teapot selected by Gyokusendo which sells Tsuiki Doki, an intangible cultural asset, will be offered. Plus, they are planning to sell season-limited menu items so that you can enjoy each season.

 

Let’s enjoy these special tea drinks and Japanese desserts.