5 Must-Try Matcha Treats From Asakusa’s Kaminari Issa—Perfect for Souvenirs

Nestled in a lively corner of Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist districts, is “Kaminari Issa Asakusa Honten” (referred to hereafter as “Kaminari Issa”), a haven that captivates matcha lovers.

This is a matcha sweets specialty shop. From eat-in menu items that can be slowly savored in the store to take-out menu items perfect for eating while walking around, every item is made with high-quality matcha.

There’s also a wide selection of matcha products perfect for souvenirs.

Whether you want to enjoy authentic matcha at home or are looking for a gift for a matcha fan, you’re sure to find just the right item.

What all of Kaminari Issa’s matcha products have in common is that they all use ichibancha (first-harvest tea).

First-harvest tea refers to the new buds picked at the very start of the season and is considered the highest grade of tea leaves.

Ichibancha is known for minimal bitterness, with a rich umami flavor and a bright, fragrant aroma. If you think matcha is bitter, this delicate yet deep flavor profile is one you must experience.

“Special matcha financier”: velvety texture and deep matcha flavor

The “Special matcha financier” is an irresistible treat for matcha lovers, with the aroma of first-harvest tea taking center stage.

The baking process is kept minimal to preserve the delicate aroma and flavor of the matcha. The result is a beautifully fragrant treat that highlights matcha’s natural richness.

They strike a perfect balance—not bitter, nor overly sweet—with a creamy sweetness layered over deep matcha flavor for a truly satisfying treat.

“Special matcha kaminari-okoshi”: a classic Asakusa snack with matcha flavor

Kaminari-okoshi, a classic Asakusa souvenir treat, is made by coating roasted rice with syrup and sugar, resulting in a satisfyingly crunchy texture.

The traditional treat gets a delicate twist in the form of Kaminari Issa’s “Special matcha kaminari-okoshi” lightly infused with matcha. The matcha flavor is subtle and elegant, leaving a refreshing, lingering finish.

These bite-sized matcha rice puffs offer a simple, irresistible sweetness that makes you want to reach for another piece. A subtle hint of bitterness balances the sweetness, making it enjoyable even for those who aren’t fond of overly sweet treats.

The packaging features an illustration of the giant iconic lantern at Asakusa’s Kaminarimon gate, blending traditional charm with a fresh twist—perfect as a souvenir.

“Special matcha cream puff”: Kaminari Issa’s signature masterpiece

The “Special matcha cream puff” made in-house at Kaminari Issa’s workshop, is one of the shop’s most popular treats—and it’s easy to see why with the first bite.

The rich, silky cream delivers the deep umami of premium first-harvest tea while keeping the characteristic bitterness of matcha pleasantly mild. The balance of sweetness is perfect, allowing the refined aroma of high-quality matcha to truly shine.

Since they’re sold frozen, they can be stored for up to 30 days. Many people buy them to bring back home for themselves during their Asakusa sightseeing.

They are sold individually, allowing you to purchase as many as you want whenever you crave them—another great appeal of these cream puffs.

“Special matcha cream MOCHI”: a fan favorite with rich, melty matcha cream

One of the standout new additions to the matcha sweets scene is the “Special matcha cream MOCHI.”

Featured on television, it’s just as popular as the shop’s signature Special matcha cream puffs.

As its name suggests, the star of the Special matcha cream MOCHI is the rich, velvety matcha cream.

Made without artificial flavoring or coloring, the shop lets the tea leaves speak for themselves—resulting in a depth and richness of flavor that gently unfolds with each bite.

Inside the soft, chewy mochi is smooth koshi-an (red bean paste) made from Hokkaidō-grown azuki beans. The mellow cream and refined sweetness of the beans blend seamlessly with the mochi dough, melting together in your mouth.

The shop proudly claims that its flavor and intensity are “unmatched”—and after tasting it, you’ll likely agree!

Matcha powder: an authentic matcha experience at home

Kaminari Issa’s “Omatcha” matcha powder is made by carefully grinding the prized first-harvest leaves with a stone mill.

With this, you can enjoy a genuine cup of matcha at home, savoring its vibrant green color, delicate aroma, and profound flavor.

Several varieties are available, with the popular “HŌKI KIWAMI” being especially beloved.

If you want to elevate your at-home matcha time, this is a must-try!

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
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
Official website	https://www.kaminari-issa.com/

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