In Japan, Kyoto is often strongly considered to be the home of matcha.
However, if you’re thinking “you can’t get your hands on authentic matcha unless you visit Kyoto,” you would be quite mistaken!
“Hibiya Hayashiyashinbē” (hereafter referred to as “Hayashiyashinbe”), is a place in Tokyo where you can savor genuine matcha.
Drink in authentic matcha at Hayashiyashinbe
The perception of matcha as a beverage has diversified over time. Nowadays, there are many types of drinks featuring matcha, such as matcha lattes and matcha soft drinks.
However, the traditional matcha served in a tea ceremony is quite simple.
At Hayashiyashinbe, staff prepare and serve traditional matcha in the store, paying attention to both the craft and the flavor.
“抹茶,” Matcha 1,100 JPY (tax included)
Staff at Hayashiyashinbe use Tenka no Mukashi, which is said to be the highest-grade Uji matcha.
Adding hot water and whisking it with a chasen (tea whisk) traditionally used in tea ceremonies releases the rich aroma characteristic of Tenka no Mukashi.
After relishing the aroma, go ahead and take a sip of the matcha. You’ll likely be surprised by a taste of matcha that’s unlike anything you’ve experienced before.
Traditional matcha has a particularly deep flavor, with a slight sweetness that awaits within the bitterness.
Take your time to savor the aroma that lingers in your nose and the interplay between the two tastes.
Elegant sweets that look just like a Japanese garden
The “Koto no Teien Parfait,” inspired by a Japanese garden, is a dessert you’ll want to enjoy alongside matcha. Its name, which translates to “Old Capital Garden Parfait,” certainly reflects its aesthetic beautifully!
“古都の庭園パフェ,” Old Capital Garden Parfait 1,925 JPY (tax included)
The toppings, such as crumbles and sweetened black soybeans, resemble the stones essential to Japanese gardens.
The strawberry flakes mimic fallen flower petals in a Japanese garden, adding an elegant and artistic touch to the dessert’s appearance.
Inside the long parfait glass, you’ll find matcha ice cream, sudachi (a type of Japanese citrus) sherbet, mascarpone cream, and more.
The sudachi-flavored sherbet serves as a particularly noteworthy topping, adding a refreshing and zesty accent to the parfait.
The aftertaste is gentle and refreshing, and doesn’t overshadow the flavor of the matcha ice cream.
Enjoy the harmonious blend of different ingredients, with matcha taking center stage.
A special parfait that allows you to experience the truly deep flavor of matcha
The “Koicha Parfait” is a parfait that provides an opportunity to really savor the rich flavor of matcha. Named after koicha, which means “thick tea,” it features a higher concentration of matcha powder to water, resulting in a thick and almost syrupy consistency.
When the parfait is enjoyed alongside a cup of matcha, you can take in an even more profound and delightful aroma.
“濃茶パフェ,” Koicha Parfait 1,980 JPY (tax included)
The eye-catching, round-shaped topping is the crispy-textured outer layer of a monaka, a Japanese sweet made of azuki bean paste sandwiched between two thin crisp wafers.
Monaka is made from mochi rice flour, providing a subtle sweetness to the parfait.
Beneath the monaka, you’ll find matcha ice cream. The milk and cream used to make it are wonderfully complemented by Chiyo no Shiro, a renowned brand of Uji matcha with a refreshing aftertaste. This blend creates a luxurious scoop of matcha ice cream with the perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness.
Layered at the bottom of the Koicha Parfait is a syrup made exclusively with matcha, sugar, and water, without any unnecessary additives.
This syrup, crafted without preservatives or chemical ingredients, enhances the refreshing bitterness and umami of Uji matcha, showcasing the dedication of Hayashiyashinbe.
Due to its thick consistency, it blends well with other toppings, allowing you to enjoy the deliciousness of matcha until the last bite.
Be sure to check out the indoor counter seats!
At Hayashiyashinbe, they take meticulous care in crafting each item on the menu, paying attention to every single ingredient through a dedicated hands-on process.
The counter set up around the open kitchen is a recommended seating option where you can witness the chefs at work. You can also observe the art of brewing tea.
Hayashiyashinbe’s interior
In addition, there are spacious table seats towards the back of the restaurant.
The interior design, predominantly influenced by Japanese aesthetics, seamlessly blends the traditional prestige of a longstanding establishment with a contemporary playful touch.
Hayashiyashinbe’s interior
Located on the second floor of Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, within walking distance from Ginza Station, the restaurant offers convenient access, making it easy to incorporate into your sightseeing schedule.
If you’re fascinated by the depth and history of matcha, why not pay a visit to Hayashiyashinbe?
Information
| Store name | 日比谷 林屋新兵衛 Hibiya Hayashiyashinbē |
|---|---|
| Access | Tokyo Midtown Hibiya 2F, 1-1-2 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Hibiya Station Short walk from exit A11
Yūrakuchō Station 4-minute walk from Yūrakuchō Station Hibiya Exit
Ginza Station 4-minute walk from Exit C3
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| Phone number | 03-6550-8727 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Hours | 11:00-22:00（last order 21:00） |
| Closed | No holidays excluding Tokyo Midtown Hibiya holidays |
| Seating | 38 seating 16 counter seats, 22 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://kyo-hayashiya.jp/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of February 2024.
