SAKURAI JAPANESE TEA EXPERIENCE || This Elevated and Zen Hideaway is a Must-Visit for Tea Connoisseurs
It’s another world in here.
Safe from the fast feet of people hurrying to their next destination in the cosmopolitan city that is Tokyo, Sakurai Tea Tasting Experience whisks you away into a world where you can embrace and savour the scents and taste of tea.
The storefront has a merchandising display with packaged teas you’ll want to bring home after you enjoy the tea courses here. The shop offers an assortment of straight, blended and roasted teas. My personal favourite would be the roasted teas. I made room in my luggage to bring back the favourite hojicha tea I sampled during my tea-tasting course.
It’s recommended to make a reservation here, as seating is limited around the wooden counter bar. I counted just eight seats around the counter. You can hang your jacket on the hooks and leave your bag on the shelf to fully immerse yourself in the tea journey that awaits.
The tea course consists of a selection of blended and roasted teas, and the staff attentively explain the tasting notes for each option.
A tea course takes you through six different teas, each with its own notes and small treats as accompaniments. Guests around the table collectively nod their heads when they first taste a tea, showing their appreciation for the art of tea brewing. Others around the tea bar chose to embark on a solo tea experience and observing them taste each tea made me feel calmer through their poise. One of the guests was enjoying the tea cocktail course, and we vicariously enjoyed the drinks as we watched the guest and the staff debate the flavours of each course.
The shop also offers a tea cocktail experience for those who want to embark on a more creative journey.
I also made a few discoveries about how one could enjoy tea, from little details like roasting the tea leaves in a pan to bring out the earthy aromas of the tea to mixing brewed tea leaves with dashi. Who knew you could eat tea leaves with dashi? And that the blend of the two could taste so delicious? I was on my third refill of tea leaves before the staff gently reminded me that the tea leaves had very high caffeine. The slightly grassy taste mixed with the savoury flavours of the dashi was simply perfect.
It was hard to believe that a blend of brewed tea leaves and dashi would make for such a delightful snack!
Observing the tea brewing process makes one instantly calmer.
For our roasted tea, the server heated the tea leaves over the fire, releasing a pleasing, earthy aroma. They slowly circled the roasting pan in front of our tasting area, enveloping us in the serene aroma. For each course, the tea is served in different vessels to accentuate the flavours of the tea. From traditional small and shallow tea cups to tulip-shaped ceramic cups and matcha bowls, a visit to Sakurai Tea Tasting Experience would be a treat for those who love ceramics or, for me, just cups in general. My cupboard at home is filled with more cups than I would ever be able to use.
The calming impact of the tea course experience lingers with you for hours after your visit. Even my friend, who was chatty and anxious when we entered, left in the most tranquil state. It was a noticeable difference, and we're so glad we set aside the time to rest our busy minds in this hideaway in the heart of Tokyo. As we departed, we felt like we had gotten a good night's rest, with our inner being refreshed and ready to savour the sights and sounds of the city once again.
Traditional whisked matcha accompanied with delicate sweets to balance the palate.
VISIT
Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience
Japan, 〒107-0062 Tokyo, Minato City, Minamiaoyama, 5 Chome−6−23 スパイラルビル 5F
reservation@sakurai-tea.jp
Photography by Florence Leung