Chaho Asuka

Tea lovers looking for a fine brew will be very excited by this Nishi-Ogi shop, which carries over 100 leafy varieties. From domestic sencha to Chinese and Taiwanese black teas, pu'er and jasmine tea, all varieties are presented in simple bags alongside equally simple vessels, but that simplicity also means that the store manages to strike an overall calm balance. They have a separate space where you can sit down and enjoy a freshly-brewed cup of sencha, but there's no proper menu: orders consist of your answer to the question 'what kind of drink would you like?' Even more surprisingly, the cuppas offered go for an almost shocking ¥500 and come with a little confection – elsewhere, you'd expect to pay upwards of ¥1,000 for the same privilege. The owner's knowledge of tea is impeccable, and if you end up getting into the finer details, hours will have passed in the blink of an eye. For a little taster, stop by on the second Sunday of the month, when they do comparative tastings based on a specific theme.