TORAYA Akasaka Main Store

This establishment in Tokyo is a true gem. Over 500 years old, the history here is long and traditional. It’s a confectionery and tea house. The building is quite beautiful and the attention to details makes this place something really special. The architecture and flow through the facility creates a feeling of something special is around the bend. There a window where guest and see the treats being made by hand. The menu is simple yet elegant. There’s an array of treats as well as drinks. I had a sake mochi and a matcha tea. It was difficult to choose. The presentation is too notch along with the service. If in Tokyo and looking for a tea house try Toraya.

Absolutely love Toraya (Akasaka). The gift shop on the second floor is lovely, and the café on the third floor is fantastic. Pricey but a wonderful experience with delicious lunch sets (changes regularly) and desserts (iced matcha is so delicious and rich). Absolutely stunning building and atmosphere, very calming and peaceful.

I hadn’t heard about this place until recently, but with the mystique around the shop I knew I wanted to come. It’s been a shop that the royal family had visited for generations, so you know it’s good. And of course the prices are a bit higher than other establishments, but it’s worth it to try. There is a cafe that is quite popular and you’ll more than likely have to wait to get in. The second floor has a shop where you can take things to go, albeit not the same selection. The white bean paste, black bean paste, and matcha wagashi (和菓子) were all delicious. Great service as you’d expect. Make sure to stop by.

Toraya, a maker of traditional Japanese confection (wagashi), has a history dating back to the 16th century. The building itself is worth a visit. The interior walls made from hinoki cypress give the place a warm and elegant feel. Sipping hot matcha tea and having a dessert on the 3rd floor facing the Akasaka Imperial Grounds is almost zen like. The desserts are not cheap but definitely worth it. On the first floor, you can buy many different kinds of wagashi. The shop is easily accessible via the subway and is about a 5-minute walk from the Akasaka-mitsuke subway station.

There are books to read (in Japanese for the most part, although one has mainly drawings of sweets) while you wait to be seated and as long as you target a less crowded time, the atmosphere can be relaxing and peaceful. It is very spacious. Overall, this branch makes you feel rather fancy in a comfortable way. There is also parking and different exhibitions downstairs.

We visited autumn season at the lunch time. This cafe is always crowded but you can use the online waiting time management system on the shop homepage. So you can check the waiting time and join the waiting line, too. We ordered seasonal meal and a classic Japanese dessert including the agar jelly, boiled beans and maron paste which was special for only this season. After the lunch, we moved to the shop of sweets and got some Japanese sweets made of maron which we preferred.

Loved the little wagashi gallery at the bottom floor where you can see the various designs of wagashi! The top floor where there was a cafe had a lovely view and the sweets were delicious! Stop by for an hour or so and relax!

Love the calm and peaceful atmosphere of this tea room. Great plant based seasonal lunch with traditional pastry. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone looking for traditional Japanese food, as they prepare everything with care and the best ingredients.