Why Kaminari Issa in Asakusa Is the Place for Must-Try Matcha Treats

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.

 matcha sweets at Kaminari Issa Asakusa Honten

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.”

Kaminari Issa's Special Matcha in Asakusa

​”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.

Kaminari Issa's Special Matcha in Asakusa

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.

Kaminari Issa's Special Matcha in Asakusa

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.

matcha shaved ice at Kaminari Issa

“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.

matcha shaved ice at Kaminari Issa

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.

Special Matcha Warabi Gelato at Kaminari Issa in Asakusa

“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.

Special Matcha Warabi Gelato at Kaminari Issa in Asakusa

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.

Premium matcha at Kaminari Issa in Asakusa

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.

Premium matcha at Kaminari Issa in Asakusa

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.

Exterior of Kaminari Issa in Asakusa

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
Address 1-15-9 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access Asakusa Station 4-minute walk from Exit 6
  • Toei Asakusa Line(A18)
  • Tokyo Metro Ginza Line(G19)
  • Tobu Skytree Line(TS01)

  • Asakusa Station 9-minute walk from Exit A1
    • Tsukuba Express(TX03)
Phone number 03-6802-7948
Reservations Not accepted
Payment
  • Cash
  • Credit cards(American Express・Diners・Discover・Master・JCB・UnionPay・VISA)
  • Transportation-related electronic money(Suica, etc.)
  • Electronic money(iD・nanaco・QUICPay・Rakuten Edy・WAON)
  • QR code payment(Alipay・AlipayHK・au PAY・d Payment・GCash・Kakao Pay・Merpay・PayPay・Rakuten Pay・Touch’n GO・Truemoney・UnionPay・WeChat Pay)
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
  • Menus are available with Japanese, English, and Chinese language only
  • Allergy-friendly menus are available; please ask staff about vegan, vegetarian, and halal menus
  • Wheelchair-accessible
  • Take-out service is available; delivery service is not available
  • Lugage storage space is not available
  • Wi-Fi is not available
  • Posting of food photos and videos on customers’ personal SNS accounts is allowed
  • Separate billing is alowed

※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of June 2025.