Introduction
In Tokyo, you’ll find not just cafés serving matcha sweets, but establishments where matcha itself is the star ingredient: rooted in Japanese tradition, innovatively designed, surprising in pairing, and perfectly photogenic. In this article, we’ve selected three cafés that are easy to access on a sightseeing route, offer a special matcha experience, and look great in photos — ideal for a break during your travels or a “today’s sweets adventure.”
Jugetsudo Ginza Kabukiza
Overview
Location: 5th Floor, Kabukiza Tower, 4-12-15 Ginza, Chūō-ku, Tokyo.
Access: About a 1-minute walk from Exit 3 of Higashi-Ginza Station.
This is the flagship tea café of the long-established nori & Japanese-tea purveyor Maruyama Noriten, founded in 1854.
Designed by the architect Kengo Kuma, the shop features a space inspired by a bamboo forest, made from over 3,000 bamboo pieces, and is adjacent to the rooftop garden of the Kabukiza theatre.
Why it’s recommended
Japanese worldview × matcha sweets
Located in a tourist-friendly spot (Kabukiza), with the atmosphere of traditional Japan. If you want to taste Japanese style and matcha authenticity in one place, this is a strong choice.
Exceptional space
The interior’s bamboo-forest motif, its terrace facing the rooftop garden — all create a tranquil break in the city bustle.
Beyond sweet treats
Being a specialist tea brand, they offer robust menus — the matcha parfait is a standout.
There are also light meals like seafood sandwiches, rice ball sets, and even afternoon tea (by reservation) — so this café can serve as a light meal stop as well.
Souvenirs available
There’s an in-store gift zone offering tea leaves, Japanese sweets, etc. After enjoying the dessert, you can pick up something to bring back.
Practical tips
- Because the café is inside Kabukiza Tower, it can get busy around showtimes at the theater. Early in the day (10-11 am right after opening) is relatively less crowded.
- The matcha and sweets are of genuinely high quality — suitable even if you are new to matcha and want to appreciate its depth.
Jugetsudo Ginza Kabukiza official HP
HIIRAGI GINZA
Overview
Location： 6-12-15 Ginza, Chūō-ku, Tokyo.
Access： About an 8-minute walk from A1 exit of Higashi-Ginza Station.
Opened in 2024 in a back-street of Ginza, this luxury sweet specialty shop has a “matcha-everything” theme: limited editions, select sweets — it’s the kind of place where serious dessert fans go.
Why it’s recommended
- Surprise & buzz factor: The “matcha-only” high-end sweets specialist, not just a café. That sense of novelty gives it a special feel beyond your typical dessert stop.
- Visual & design appeal: High-luxury space, stylish dessert presentation — perfect for photos or a treat-yourself occasion.
Practical tips
- Because it’s on the premium side, prices are higher — consider it as a special sweets outing or “reward dessert.”
- Reservations may help, especially if you want a smooth time during peak periods.
- Ideal if you are looking for something exceptional (not just “grab a matcha latte”) and value environment & experience.
HIIRAGI GINZA official Instagram
IPPUKU & MATCHA Nihonbashi
Overview
Location: 1st Floor, Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chūō-ku, Tokyo.
Access: Near Mitsukoshimae or Shin-Nihonbashi Stations.
This is a matcha-specialist café claiming to be the “world’s first” single-origin Uji matcha specialty shop.
Why it’s recommended
- Single-origin Uji matcha focus: They go into tea leaf origin, variety, harvest method — so you’re tasting not just “matcha flavor” but matcha provenance (taste, aroma, background).
- Eye-catching sweets: You’ll find hybrid treats like “Uji matcha Basque cheesecake” or “Uji matcha terrine” — fusion sweets combining Japanese tea and Western patisserie styles.
- High-end feel but accessible: While there is a higher level of specification, many items are takeaway-friendly, so you can enjoy at home.
Practical tips
- Ideal if you’re a matcha enthusiast or seeking something more than the standard café menu.
- Because the tea is specialty and the sweets refined, expect somewhat higher prices — but the experience makes it worthwhile for a “matcha journey.”
- Accessible location makes it convenient after work or while sightseeing in Nihonbashi.
IPPUKU & MATCHA official Instagram
Summary
If you’re planning a matcha sweets outing in Tokyo (especially around Ginza/Nihonbashi), these three spots offer distinct experiences:
- Jugetsudo: Traditional Japanese tea café with refined space & full café menu.
- HIIRAGI: Ultra-stylish, high-end specialized matcha dessert boutique.
- IPPUKU & MATCHA: Single-origin Uji matcha specialist blending Japanese tradition and patisserie.
Whichever you choose, you’ll get more than “just matcha flavour” — you’ll be entering a matcha-centric experience: atmosphere, origin, design, presentation. Happy tasting!
The Japanese version of this article is here.↓↓↓
