This tea salon’s bright and modern interior belies its historical roots: it is run by the famed Kaneju tea plantation in Shizuoka, which has been around since 1888. While single-origin and blended green tea are its calling cards, Kaneju Farm Omotesando also offers new and inventive takes on sencha.
Take a seat at the tatami mat-lined bar and order the latte-style sencha (¥750). A twist on the common matcha latte, Kaneju’s version uses sencha powder, freshly whisked to create a dark green drink, and then topped with an airy cream cheese and whipped cream mix, which balances the tea’s earthy, grassy and fragrant-bitter notes with a gentle sweetness. Kaneju also offers seasonal tea, with cherry blossom-themed drinks in spring and fig-flavoured beverages come autumn.
You can also create your own blend of flavoured Japanese green tea. Simply choose a base tea, such as sencha or low-caffeine tea, and then add three out of 20 different kinds of herbs, spices and flowers, including sansho and cayenne pepper. And if you’re looking for something stronger, former bartender Matsumoto can also shake up some green tea cocktails, such as a refreshing sencha gin tonic.