Best Matcha Cafes in Tokyo: Exploring Tokyo Through Matcha
- Makayla M.
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
As you journey through Tokyo, there’s a particularly Japanese ritual you won’t want to miss: sitting down for matcha in a cafe that understands the craft behind the green powder.
Matcha is more than a trendy flavor; it’s a centuries-old tradition, its depth defined by where it’s grown, how it’s processed, and how it’s served.
What Exactly is Matcha?
Matcha is a vibrant powdered green tea made from shade-grown green tea leaves called tencha that are carefully steamed, dried, and stone-ground. Unlike regular tea, you consume the whole leaf, giving matcha a richer flavor and a higher concentration of antioxidants, caffeine, and L-theanine.
Matcha's taste can vary based off the production method but most people describe it as naturally grassy, sweet, and slightly savory, with quality reflected in its bright green color. Loved in both traditional Japanese tea ceremonies and modern lattes, matcha offers a calm, focused energy boost compared to beverages like coffee.
Here are five matcha cafes across Tokyo not to miss, from the hidden gems to iconic heritage houses, each offering a different window into the world of Japanese tea, along with useful details for planning your visit.
Five Best Matcha Cafes in Tokyo
Yunomi Cafe (Musashi-Koyama)
If you want more than a drink, Yunomi is the most educational matcha stop on this list.
Nestled in a quieter corner of southern Tokyo, Yunomi Cafe is the physical location of the online shop Yunomi.life, a global Japanese-tea marketplace known for curating hundreds of small-batch teas.
The cafe spans three floors: the first floor serves as a relaxed cafe, the second is a gallery dedicated to tea utensils and crafts, and the third is a studio for guided tastings and workshops.
This structure makes Yunomi a destination not just to drink, but to learn and linger.
Thanks to Yunomi's deep connections with tea farmers across Japan, the cafe’s matcha is sourced from a variety of farms rather than just a single region, allowing visitors to sample the very breadth of matcha.
You’ll find both traditional whisked matcha and more creative tea-latte style drinks, depending on your mood. Because the focus is as much on education as on refreshment, staff are happy to talk about the origins of each tea, giving you insight into different regions and cultivars.
Practical Info
Address: 2 Chome-7-21 Koyama, Shinagawa City, Tokyo 142-0062
Hours: Weekdays from 13:00 to 18:00. Weekends are less predictable- check their Instagram or website before you go.
Why go: It’s ideal for travelers who want more than just a drink, a place to explore Japanese tea traditions deeply, with access to a gallery and learning space.
CAPOON Matcha Seizojo (Shimo kKtazawa):
Stepping up to CAPOON, you feel a deliberate shift: the cafe emphasizes craftsmanship, especially because it mills tencha to order using a stone mill inside the shop. That means when you order matcha, you may well be drinking powder ground just moments before.
CAPOON draws from high-quality matcha-producing regions like Uji and Yame, so you’re guaranteed to taste tea from respected farms in any drink you choose.
Their menu balances between whisked traditional matcha and modern matcha-based drinks. They also offer light desserts that let the rich flavor of matcha shine through.
The cafe is modest but intentional, tucked on a second floor in Shimo Kitazawa, a perfect stop for anyone exploring the neighborhood’s vintage shops and narrow streets.
Practical Info
Address: 2-26-18 2F, Setagaya, Kitazawa, Tokyo
Hours: 11:00–19:00 daily.
Why go: For the freshness of stone-ground matcha combined with a craft-focused, low-key cafe experience.
Cha-no-wa TOKYO (Tokyo Station):
If you’re traveling though Tokyo Station, Cha-no-wa offers a serene, refined spot to pause, located right inside Tokyo Gift Palette at the station’s north entrance.
Run by a long-established tea company that’s been in business for decades, this location specializes in rich, high-grade matcha sweets and well-balanced matcha drinks. The store is takeaway only, but there are several spots outside the station to sit and relax with your drink.
The tea used here is carefully selected by a master appraiser, meaning you can taste something high-quality and thoughtfully blended. The store’s setting is calm amidst the station bustle, making it a great place for a mid-trip indulgence or to pick up elegant tea souvenirs before you travel on.
Practical Info
Address: Tokyo Station, Yaesu North Exit, Tokyo Gift Palette 1F, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Hours: 9:30–20:30 on weekdays; 9:00–20:30 on weekends and holidays.
Why go: Convenient location, premium Uji matcha, and a shop that blends tea appreciation with travel practicality.
Nakamura Tokichi (Ginza SIX):
Nakamura Tokichi needs little introduction: it’s a historic Uji tea house that has been deeply rooted in the tea world since the 19th century. Their Ginza branch, located on the 4th floor of the sleek GINZA SIX building, brings their respected Uji matcha tradition into central Tokyo with elegance and calm.
All of the matcha here comes from Uji, where the company maintains close control over cultivation, processing, and milling. The cafe offers both traditional matcha and matcha-based drinks, paired with minimalist Japanese-style desserts that let the tea’s subtlety shine. The space is refined, more than a cafe, it feels like a tea salon where you can truly appreciate heritage and craft.
Practical Info:
Address: GINZA SIX 4F, 6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:30–20:30, with last orders around 19:30 for the cafe.
Why go: To taste historic Uji matcha in a stylish, calm space, a perfect respite while shopping in Ginza.
抹チョMATCHA CAFE (Macho Matcha Cafe - Shinjuku)
抹チョ MATCHA CAFE (Macho Matcha Cafe) brings a different energy: spirited, modern, and health-minded. Though its name is playful, the cafe’s matcha is serious; they source organic tencha from a Kyoto Uji wholesaler with a long lineage, giving the tea a vibrant purity that appeals to both purists and wellness seekers.
When you visit, you’ll see your matcha freshly whisked at the counter; every drink is made to order. The menu includes pure whisked matcha, matcha lattes, and matcha-forward sweets.
The cafe is intimate, with just a few seats, making it ideal for a quiet break while exploring Shinjuku or Shinjuku-Gyoen.
Practical Info
Address: Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 2-chōme−15−8
Hours: 12:00–17:00, with last orders around 16:30.
Why go: For organic, whisked matcha in a youthful but thoughtful space. To relax in a true hidden gem in Shinjuku.
Tips for your Matcha Journey
Here are a few pro-tips to drink matcha link a pro when you are in Tokyo:
If you’re traveling by train, plan to visit Cha-no-wa when passing through Tokyo Station — it’s one of the few matcha cafes right inside a major transport hub.
For a deeper dive, Yunomi Cafe offers workshops and tastings; check in advance to book.
Because CAPOON grinds tencha on the spot, its matcha tastes especially vibrant. Go when you have time to enjoy the process.
If you want a calming, heritage-rich pause, Nakamura Tokichi in Ginza SIX is ideal.
Macho MATCHA CAFE’s limited seating means it’s great for solo travelers or those wanting to make a couple of friends. Combine your visit with a stroll through nearby Shinjuku Gyoen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is matcha only from Uji?
No. Uji (Kyoto) is the most famous name you’ll see on menus, but major producing areas also include Nishio (Aichi), which is heavily dedicated to tencha (the leaf used to make matcha).
In Tokyo, many cafés use blends for consistency, so “Uji” can be a quality signal, but it’s not the whole story.
Why does some matcha taste bitter?
Most “bad matcha” is a mix of oxidation and technique: matcha degrades when exposed to light, moisture, and oxygen, and that dulling often reads as bitterness. Also, water that’s too hot can push matcha toward astringency, so the best matcha cafes in Tokyo pay close attention to temperature.
What’s the best matcha stop if I’m short on time?
Cha-no-wa in Tokyo Station is the most efficient choice because it’s inside the station shopping area with long, traveler-friendly hours. It’s ideal for a quick matcha sweet or takeaway drink before hopping on the bullet train.
Where should I go for a “deep dive” matcha cafe experience?
Yunomi Cafe in Musashi Koyama is designed for learning, not just sipping and even offers tastings/lessons by reservation guided by a tea expert. If you want context on the region your matcha is from, and to learn why various matchas taste different, this is the most reliable place to do it.
Final Thoughts
Tokyo is a city of contrasts, neon lights and quiet gardens, centuries-old traditions, and boundary-pushing creativity. Its matcha cafes reflect that duality. Whether you want to learn deeply about Japanese tea, savor freshly milled matcha, or just sit somewhere peaceful for a moment, these cafes offer something special.
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