Wellness in Winter: New Ways to Experience Matcha in Tokyo

The Matcha Tokyo Harajuku, Matcha Passport, Matcha& Kiyosumishirakawa

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東京西部｜東京南部

下北沢｜原宿｜清澄白河

The matcha boom has swept across the world – thanks not only to its vibrant color and earthy flavor, but also to its well-known health benefits.

While Kyoto is often seen as the home of matcha, there are many cafes and specialty shops around Tokyo where you can enjoy this beloved form of green tea. Each offers a new way to experience matcha through sight, aroma and taste – from traditional, freshly whisked "usucha" (a lighter, frothy style of preparing matcha) to new, unique flavor combinations.

This winter, skip the tea ceremony and discover how matcha is evolving in Tokyo – from wellness-focused cafes and warm, welcoming spaces that bring tea lovers together, to bold superfood blends that fit naturally into everyday life.

Matcha and Mindfulness Under One Roof — The Matcha Tokyo Harajuku

Founded on the belief that high-quality matcha should be pesticide and chemical free, The Matcha Tokyo brings health, wellness and sustainability together in every cup. Because the entire green tea leaf is consumed when drinking matcha, the brand works closely with farmers in a remote mountainous region of Kagoshima Prefecture where fresh air, rich volcanic soil and natural spring water create the perfect conditions for tea cultivation. These farmers practice sustainable soil management, growing their tea without pesticides or chemical fertilizers to ensure every sip remains clean and natural.

Using only first-flush leaves picked in early spring to preserve umami and reduce bitterness, the tea is slowly stone-ground into a fine, vibrant powder. Once delivered to the cafe, your drink is hand-whisked before your eyes in a simplified tea ceremony – a quiet, intentional process where every action is deliberate.

Since opening its first location in Omotesando in 2017, The Matcha Tokyo has grown to 50 stores in seven countries, spreading its vision of good health and beauty through matcha. From refreshing bottled matcha water to indulgent pistachio matcha lattes and energizing matcha protein shakes, every product is created with health, energy and sustainability in mind.

Building on this foundation, The Matcha Tokyo Harajuku is their newest five-story flagship store that opened in November 2025. Just a one-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station, the warm scent of matcha greets you as you step through the doors and into the cafe’s minimalist interior – a serene space designed to let vivid green matcha take center stage.

What makes their flagship store unique is the dedicated yoga space on the fourth floor. Designed as a tranquil retreat in the middle of Tokyo, yoga classes incorporate natural light, scent and sound to help both locals and travelers alike take a step back and focus inwards. Each class is paired with a cup of freshly whisked matcha before or after the session, making it the perfect, mindful way to warm both body and spirit this holiday season.

Bringing People Together, One Cup at a Time — Matcha Passport

Born out of a shared love of matcha and a dream to bring people together over tea, Matcha Passport is a cozy hideaway just two minutes' walk from Shimokitazawa Station. Step inside and the bustle of the city fades, replaced by the gentle sounds of a whisk and friendly conversation accompanied by the aroma of freshly frothed matcha. The space feels less like a cafe and more like a friend’s living room – a place where conversations flow and everyone feels at home.

While international coffee chains and social media have helped popularize matcha, Matcha Passport offers a slower, personalized way to explore Japan through this iconic drink. On your journey, visit Matcha Passport to discover subtle yet distinct flavors and stories that make each region unique. Breaking free from the "one-size-fits-all" approach of most cafes, the location invites guests to explore the flavor profiles of four unique types of matcha, carefully handpicked after sampling more than two dozen varieties.

Examples include Komainu, a single-cultivar matcha from Wazuka Town in Kyoto Prefecture, offers deep umami and savory richness, while Tanuki, also sourced from Wazuka, is lighter and nuttier – perfect for those new to matcha. Reiyo, grown in Nishio City in Aichi Prefecture, brings a fresh, leafy brightness, and a limited seasonal blend brings a balance of umami and nuttiness.

Providing true farm-to-cup quality, the team personally visits each farm they work with, planting young trees alongside the producers and maintaining close relationships to ensure that every leaf reflects care and sustainability.

Each drink is whisked by hand at the counter, inviting you to try the same simple, mindful preparation back home. Beyond classic usucha and lattes, the menu also offers creative options like Earl Grey matcha lattes, matcha cocktails or even a silky Matcha Basque Cheesecake made by a Michelin-starred pastry chef. Weekends often bring workshops and events, turning this small cafe into a welcoming hub for Tokyo’s growing community of matcha lovers.

Blending Art, Tea and Fermentation — Matcha& Kiyosumishirakawa

Tucked away on a quiet side street just a six-minute walk from Kiyosumi shirakawa Station, at Matcha& tradition is remixed with modern tastes. This cozy little spot is reimagining what matcha can be – blending fermentation, superfoods and tea into a single creative experience. In addition to their Kiyosumi Shirakawa location, Matcha& opened a new stand just three minutes away from Yotsuya Station in September 2025, bringing their unique approach closer to central Tokyo.

The name Matcha& stands for "Matcha and something more." For founder Mitsunori Sakano, that "something more" could be art, fermentation or simply a new way of seeing everyday life. Originally an artist, Sakano began experimenting with edible materials during the pandemic, and while running a miso soup brand in the UK, he noticed locals’ love for matcha and its health benefits. That spark led him to imagine a new kind of matcha culture – one that’s creative, healthy and easy to incorporate into daily life.

Using 100% Uji matcha from Kyoto, Matcha& blends Japanese fermented ingredients with your choice of regular milk or a creamy oat milk. Alongside the classic usucha and ever-popular Uji Matcha Latte, you’ll find inventive creations you won’t see anywhere else – like Amazake Matcha, made with fermented rice for a naturally gentle, mellow sweetness, or the subtle, savory, almost salted caramel-esque Miso Matcha Latte.

The winter menu at Matcha& also features a seasonal Turmeric Ginger Matcha Latte, offering a warm, spicy kick that heats you from the inside out. Each drink is made by whisking matcha and natural powdered ingredients by hand, just enough to keep the texture smooth and frothy without turning it into a full tea ceremony, and can be enjoyed alongside sweets like matcha pound cake or ice cream.

True to Sakano’s vision, the experience doesn’t stop at the counter. Matcha& also sells original matcha blends and drink powders, so you can bring a little warmth home and recreate these unique flavors in your own kitchen. By using fermented ingredients like amazake and miso, along with superfoods like ginger and black sesame, the menu brings health and flavor together in every cup, staying true to their brand phrase: "You are what you drink." At Matcha&, a cup of matcha not only provides nourishment, but will also keep you warm this winter.