Asakusa is a hugely popular area in Tokyo bustling with many tourists.
Located just a short distance from the area’s landmark Kaminarimon (“Thunder Gate”) is “Yanagi Chaya Asakusa Shin Nakamise-dōri” (hereinafter referred to as “Yanagi Chaya Asakusa”), a shop that is highly recommended for tourists exploring the area.
Here, you can enjoy a wide variety of sweets and drinks made with matcha. Since take-out is also available, they make perfect companions for sightseeing in the area.
A Yanagi Chaya Asakusa exclusive! Tiramisu made with roasted green tea
Yanagi Chaya Asakusa is the sister store of “Yanagi Chaya ecute Ueno,” located nearby in Tokyo’s Ueno district.
In addition to the matcha sweets available at the Ueno store, there are also exclusive menu items to try out at Yanagi Chaya Asakusa.
One of those items is the “Hojicha Tiramisu,” a dessert that uses hōjicha, or roasted green tea leaves.
“ほうじ茶ティラミス,” Hojicha Tiramisu 814 JPY (tax included)
While you can enjoy tiramisu at the Ueno store, the flavor is only available in matcha. The Hojicha Tiramisu, on the other hand, can only be savored in Asakusa.
The Hojicha Tiramisu, sprinkled with a layer of hojicha powder, offers a taste distinct from the slightly bitter matcha, emphasizing a sweeter flavor.
The fragrant aroma of hojicha enhances the dessert experience when combined with the tartness of the mascarpone cream resting below it.
The homemade “Uji Matcha Shiratama” filled with large shiratama is also a huge hit at the store
The “Uji Matcha Shiratama,” available at both the Ueno and Asakusa stores, features impressively large white shiratama dumplings (chewy rice flour balls).
Indulging in a mouthful reveals their richly plump and chewy texture that’s a delight to eat.
“宇治抹茶白玉,” Uji Matcha Shiratama 1,240 JPY (tax included)
If they’re a bit too large to handle in one bite, splitting them into two on a small dish may be a good idea.
Pressing chopsticks against the white dumplings will demonstrate their strong resilience and chewiness!
The Uji Matcha Shiratama undergoes a fascinating change in the concentration of matcha broth over time due to the presence of ice in the bowl.
As the ice melts, the initially thick broth gradually becomes smoother. Therefore, it’s recommended to start by enjoying the shiratama covered in the matcha broth while it still has a heavy consistency.
After finishing the shiratama, you can even melt the sweet bean paste to add sweetness and enjoy the dish as a drink.
Also available for take-out, the “Brown Sugar Tapioca Matcha Latte” is perfect for exploring Asakusa
Yanagi Chaya Asakusa has a dedicated window space for take-out orders.
Available for order are various soft serve ice creams and drinks, making it a perfect choice for a quick snack during sightseeing when hunger pangs strike.
The take-out order space is located to the right of the entrance
The “Brown Sugar Tapioca Matcha Latte” is a drink also exclusive to the Asakusa store.
It’s filled with plenty of tapioca pearls cooked in Japanese brown sugar. They’re at the bottom of the cup, so it’s recommended to mix well with a straw before drinking.
Doing so adds a deep sweetness to an already refreshing matcha latte!
“黒糖タピオカ抹茶ラテ,” Brown Sugar Tapioca Matcha Latte 850 JPY (tax included)
Even during our visit to the store, the take-out order space was bustling with customers.
Easily enjoyed while sightseeing in Asakusa, the latte is quite popular as well as the soft serve ice cream.
Yanagi Chaya Asakusa is a thriving spot that draws in international visitors to Japan
Due to its location in the heart of Asakusa, the restaurant attracts many foreign visitors traveling to Japan, and the menu is available not only in Japanese but also in English and Chinese.
The interior of the shop features a calming atmosphere with a wood-themed design, making it a recommended place for a leisurely break during sightseeing.
Yanagi Chaya Asakusa’s interior
If you’ve come to Japan, it’s not just about sightseeing; you’ll also want to savor the unique cuisine of the country.
At Yanagi Chaya Asakusa, which offers a rich selection of Japanese sweets using matcha and hojicha, you can fully savor the taste of Japan to your heart’s content.
Yanagi Chaya Asakusa’s exterior
Information
| Store name | やなぎ茶屋 浅草 新仲見世通り Yanagi Chaya Asakusa Shin Nakamise-dōri |
|---|---|
| Address | Hashimoto Building 1F, 1-30-6 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Asakusa Station 3-minute walk from Exit 3
Asakusa Station 5-minute walk from Exit A1
|
| Phone number | 03-5830-8317 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 11:00-18:00（last order 17:00） Sat-Sun. & nat’l holidays 10:00-18:00（last order 17:00） closes at 20:00 during the summer season from June to August |
| Closed | No fixed holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 44 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://shop.create-restaurants.co.jp/1205/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of December 2023.
