Walking through the lively streets of Asakusa, your eyes are drawn to an array of matcha sweets that make you want to stop in your tracks.
From cakes to crepes, puddings to parfaits, the variety is so abundant it’s overwhelming to choose.
However, if you want to savor matcha made with carefully selected ingredients, you should definitely visit “Kaminari Issa Asakusa Honten” (referred to hereafter as “Kaminari Issa”). This specialty matcha sweets shop has four locations in Asakusa.
At this store, only the first flush—the new leaves picked at the beginning of the year, known as ichibancha—is used. Its mellow and deep flavor breathes life into every sweet.
From authentic matcha experiences to modern sweets at Kaminari Issa in Asakusa
At Kaminari Issa, you can enjoy everything from traditionally whisked matcha to contemporary sweets like ice cream, allowing you to casually experience the depth of matcha in various ways.
Authentic matcha served with seasonal Japanese sweets
The menu item that most directly showcases the superior quality of matcha at Kaminari Issa is the “Kaminari Issa’s Special Matcha.”
”雷一茶流 お抹茶 上生菓子付き,” Kaminari Issa’s Special Matcha served with Jōnamagashi (Premium Japanese Sweets) 1,250 JPY (tax included)
Each cup of matcha is carefully whisked to order in-store, allowing you to enjoy the rich aroma and smooth flavor that only freshly prepared matcha can offer.
The tea is made from handpicked first-harvest leaves from Kyoto, stone-ground into a fine powder.
With the first sip, a gentle umami and deep fragrance unfold on your palate, followed by a subtle bitterness that elegantly balances the flavor.
The bitterness is never overpowering—it enhances the complexity of the matcha, leaving a refined, lingering aftertaste.
Each cup of matcha is whisked to order
While matcha can be ordered alone, if you visit Kaminari Issa, you’ll want to try the “Kaminari Issa’s Special Matcha served with Premium Japanese Sweets,” which allows you to enjoy matcha along with seasonal jōnamagashi, the highest grade of wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets).
The rich sweetness of the red bean filling perfectly complements the umami of the matcha, offering a refined, tea-ceremony-like experience.
Seasonal wagashi change every 3 days to a week
Matcha shaved ice is perfect for hot summer days
A summer-exclusive treat is the “Rich Matcha Fresh Syrup” shaved ice.
Available from June to September each year, this special kakigōri (shaved ice) from Kaminari Issa features fluffy shaved ice generously covered with homemade rich matcha syrup — a perfect summer indulgence.
“お濃抹茶の生シロップ,” Rich Matcha Fresh Syrup shaved ice 1,200 JPY (tax included)
The matcha syrup is, of course, made with high-quality first-harvest tea leaves from Kyoto Prefecture.
Because it’s prepared without applying heat, the syrup preserves matcha’s delicate flavor—offering a gentle, fragrant aroma that blooms the moment it touches your tongue.
This richly matcha-flavored shaved ice has just the right touch of bitterness to balance out its gentle sweetness, making it easy to enjoy until the last bite without feeling overwhelmed.
You can savor the rich syrup flavor and enjoy a moment to forget the heat.
The matcha-packed Special Matcha Warabi Gelato
If you want to enjoy matcha sweets casually, be sure to try the “Special Matcha Warabi Gelato.”
The intense matcha-flavored gelato pairs exquisitely with the chewy texture of warabi mochi (bracken starch dumplings), creating a delightful combination.
“お濃茶わらびジェラート,” Special Matcha Warabi Gelato 950 JPY (tax included)
The warabi mochi has a satisfyingly chewy texture, with a gentle sweetness that feels light on the palate and complements the richness of the matcha beautifully.
The gelato, meanwhile, is a blend of two premium matcha varieties. Made without artificial flavorings or coloring, it brings out the pure, authentic taste of matcha.
With its deep, full-bodied flavor, it’s a must-try for any matcha lover.
The monaka wafer on top can be enjoyed alongside the warabi mochi and gelato. The combination of different textures and flavors lets you savor matcha’s appeal right down to the last bite.
Kaminari Issa changes the image that “matcha is bitter”
The first-harvest matcha used in every item on the menu is surprisingly rich in umami, with very little bitterness.
It has a deep, full flavor yet leaves a clean finish, blending effortlessly with any sweet pairing.
As the catchphrase of Kaminari Issa puts it, “Good matcha isn’t bitter.” The higher the quality, the smoother the taste—bitterness gives way to mellow umami.
Among these, the first-harvest tea used in every menu item is especially high-grade, offering exceptional depth of flavor.
The secret lies in how it’s cultivated: after the young sprouts emerge, the plants are shaded from direct sunlight for about a month and a half.
This method slows the production of catechins—the compounds responsible for bitterness—while encouraging the buildup of the amino acid theanine, which gives matcha its signature umami.
Kaminari Issa’s commitment to using first-harvest tea is not only for the refined taste that comes from taking time and care.
Behind it lies the deep affection the farmers put into growing it with great dedication.
The depth of matcha comes not only from the quality of the ingredients but also from the careful work of the farmers. With every cup and every sip, appreciate the special care behind each moment.
Kaminari Issa’s exterior
You can also find Kaminari Issa’s matcha products, perfect for souvenirs or gifts, introduced here.
Information
| Store name | 雷一茶 浅草本店 Kaminari Issa Asakusa Honten |
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| Address | 1-15-9 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Asakusa Station 4-minute walk from Exit 6
Asakusa Station 9-minute walk from Exit A1 Phone number |
03-6802-7948 |
Reservations |
Not accepted |
Payment |
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Hours |
10:00-17:00 |
Closed |
No fixed holidays |
Unscheduled holidays Seating |
14 seats |
4 counter seats, 10 table seats Smoking |
All seats are non-smoking |
Official website |
https://www.kaminari-issa.com/ |
Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of June 2025.
