In the peak of summer heat—July and August—there’s a perfect place to cool down that you’ll definitely want to visit.
That place is Hachiya, a specialty cafe devoted to the fragrant world of Japanese tea.
Here, you can enjoy premium teas like matcha, hōjicha (roasted green tea) and sencha green tea, paired with beautifully crafted Japanese-style sweets that are not only refreshing to eat but also cool and elegant in appearance.
From traditional anmitsu (a traditional Japanese dessert featuring agar jelly and red bean paste, often with fruit) to parfaits and limited-time summer kakigōri (shaved ice), each carefully curated treat helps you forget the summer heat, one bite at a time.
Sweets at Hachiya
Expanding the Possibilities of Tea: Hachiya’s Popular Kakigori
As summer approaches, Hachiya draws crowds with its seasonal kakigori—shaved ice desserts that skillfully incorporate elements of tea.
Served annually from June through September, this limited-time series has become a fan favorite—so much so that in 2025, it kicked off earlier than usual in May to meet the growing anticipation.
Behind the scenes of kakigori being made at Hachiya
At Hachiya, kakigori creations combine tea with unexpected ingredients, resulting in fresh, original takes on the summer classic.
For August 2025, the featured flavor is “Oolong Tea and Almond Pineapple Kakigori,” themed around “cooling off with tea and fruit.”
Hachiya’s limited-edition kakigori for August 2025
Fluffy shaved ice is topped with a generous pour of two house-made syrups—one pineapple with a refreshing finish, the other a fragrant roasted oolong tea—and finished with a rich, creamy almond tofu made in-house.
Both syrups and the almond tofu are handmade. Hachiya’s commitment to craftsmanship shines through in every detail.
Take a spoonful and you’re first greeted with the sweet-tart aroma of the pineapple syrup, which lingers softly as the silky almond tofu adds a mellow richness.
Keep digging and you’ll hit the next layer: shaved ice soaked in their house-made oolong tea syrup.
The oolong offers a pronounced roasted flavor balanced by a clean sweetness that becomes more addictive with each bite.
The oolong tea syrup layer is topped with peanut karintō
Hachiya’s kakigori doesn’t cut corners when it comes to toppings, either.
Chewy gyūhi, peanut-flavored karintō (a sweet deep-fried wheat snack), and refreshing chunks of aloe—each element is thoughtfully chosen to create a playful mix of textures.
These hidden toppings stir a sense of uplift and anticipation with each bite.
Toppings: peanut karintō, gyūhi, and aloe
Curious how Hachiya’s playful, well-balanced kakigori come to life, we asked the staff—and got a surprising answer.
While many cafés bring in pastry chefs or product developers to supervise their menus, Hachiya takes a different path. Each month’s kakigōri is actually devised by the staff working at the shop.
“We start by choosing ingredients that suit the season, picking flavors that match the theme, and then fine-tune the syrups and overall balance.”
Their response reveals a sincere dedication to seasonal ingredients and a hands-on, thoughtful approach to dessert-making.
“Hachiya’s Cream Anmitsu”: traditional sweet with a twist
If you’ve gotten hooked on Hachiya through their “Oolong Tea and Almond Pineapple Kakigori,” don’t miss their other summer favorite: the “Cream Anmitsu.”
“季節の果物クリームあんみつ,” Cream Anmitsu 1,150 JPY (tax included)
The anmitsu served at Hachiya differs slightly from the typical version where agar jelly is the main base.
The reason? Their signature mizu warabi (soft bracken-starch jelly).
Its unique, chewy and jiggly texture melts gently across your palate, yet leaves a distinct impression.
Top it off with a drizzle of homemade brown sugar syrup—its rich sweetness beautifully complements the refreshing tartness of the seasonal fruits.
Mizu warabi and seasonal fruits
All the fruits used are in season. When we visited in July 2025, the bowl featured refreshing and colorful fruits like orange, pineapple, and kiwi.
Each piece is carefully cut to order—just one example of the thoughtful craftsmanship that defines Hachiya.
This attention to detail also shines through in their shaved ice, showing the level of care that Hachiya puts into everything they serve.
A matcha-lover’s parfait you can also take to go
It’s only fitting to wrap things up by diving back into the world of matcha. Rising to the occasion is Hachiya’s signature creation—the “Cup Parfait(Matcha)”
“お濃茶カップパフェ,” Cup Parfait(Matcha). 1,150 JPY (tax included)
As the name suggests, the star of the show is matcha. Made lavishly with high-quality matcha from Yame City in Fukuoka Prefecture, it’s crafted to deliver both rich umami and a refreshing, distinct bitterness.
The sweetness is kept low, allowing you to fully savor the lingering flavors unique to matcha—one of the charms of the “Cup Parfait(Matcha).”
The “Cup Parfait(Matcha)” is topped with matcha castella and shiratama (rice flour dumplings)
At the bottom layer hides the homemade “Thick Matcha Pudding.” It has a firm, rich texture but goes down smoothly, spreading a deep matcha flavor across your tongue.
The pudding is deliberately not too soft because, true to its name “Thick Matcha,” they want you to feel the richness in both taste and texture.
Homemade “Thick Matcha Pudding”
Partway through the layers, brown rice flakes are subtly hidden, adding a crispy texture and a toasty accent.
Combined with the softly fragrant matcha kasutera (“castella” in English)—a sponge cake inspired by Portuguese sweets—different matcha flavors overlap, creating a rich and deep taste experience.
“抹茶カステラ,” Matcha Castella 880 JPY (tax included)
This castella is also available for purchase in the shop, making it a perfect souvenir.
For matcha lovers, this rich and luxurious cup dessert may look compact, but it delivers a wide range of flavors and satisfying depth.
It’s truly one of Hachiya’s signature Japanese tea sweets.
Hachiya’s booming popularity on social media
While centered on Japanese tea, Hachiya develops its menu with a flexible mindset unconstrained by conventional categories.
It’s often a hot topic on social media, and it’s not uncommon to see international tourists visiting the shop.
Interior of Hachiya
Of course, you can order just drinks as well. The Japanese teas used at Hachiya are carefully selected nationwide based on flavor, not limited to any specific region.
From brown rice tea, hojicha, to sencha, each cup highlights the aroma and quality of the tea to the fullest.
Hachiya employs certified “Japanese Tea Instructors,” experts with deep knowledge of Japanese tea, guaranteeing quality and tea leaf selection.
They aim to vary the flavors of teas served throughout the year, carefully selecting to match the season and mood.
That’s why every visit to Hachiya offers a new encounter with Japanese tea.
Exterior of Hachiya
Recently, they’ve also begun considering offering domestically produced black tea, known as wakōcha.
Though proudly a Japanese tea specialty shop, Hachiya’s vision to expand the possibilities of tea culture itself keeps expectations high for their future.
Information
| Store name | 日本茶カフェ 八屋 Hachiya |
|---|---|
| Address | GS FAITH BLDG 1F, 3-2-10 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Omote-sando Station 4-minute walk from Exit 2
Harajuku Station 10-minute walk from Harajuku Station Takeshita Exit
Sendagaya Station 11-minute walk from the ticket gate
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| Phone number | 03-6434-9438 |
| Reservations | Accepted Phone |
| Payment |
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| Hours | 9:00-18:00 Last orders for kakigori only: 5:00 PM |
| Closed | Sat-Sun & nat’l holidays |
| Seating | 13 seats 2 counter seats, 11 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.8ya.jp/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of August 2025.
