5 recommended Tokyo wagashi cafes - with a twist

If you fancy Japanese style tea and sweets (but feeling a traditional tea ceremony, chano-yu, is too much), here is the best list for you! Enjoy Japanese tea time easily at the quiet and comfortable atmosphere of these five cafes.

1. Kasoyo

Kasoyo is located in the midst of quiet residential area. This beautiful, old-style Japanese house was built more than 100 years ago. Kasoyo is a kimono store, and its cafe is open on an irregular basis. Overlooking a small garden with various seasonal flowers, you can enjoy beautiful sweets and traditional green tea.

Kasoyo（花想容）
Address: 2-19-21 Shimo-Ochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Nearest station: JR Mejiro Station (Yamanote-line)
Opening hours: Thursday-Sunday: 11:30-18:30 / Closed: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and national holidays
Website(Japanese only): http://kasoyo.com/

2. HIGASHIYA GINZA

This cafe and sweets shop is in the center of Ginza, one of the most fashionable shopping areas in Tokyo. You can sit back and relax within a calm Zen-like atmosphere. The specialty here is Japanese style afternoon tea. Foods and Japanese sweets (wagashi) are served with your choice of green tea. Enjoy your special experience here.

HIGASHIYA GINZA
Address: 2nd floor, Pola Ginza building, 1-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Nearest station: Tokyo Metro Ginza-Itchome (Yurakucho-line)
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 11:00-22:00 / Sunday:11:00-19:00 / Closed: Monday
Website(Japanese only): http://www.higashiya.com/shop/ginza/

3. Cafe IMASA

This old house used to be owned by the lumber dealer family lasting from the Edo Period (around 400 years ago）. Built in 1927, it is now registered as a cultural property of Chiyoda ward. You can drop by just after visiting the Kanda-Myojin shrine (神田明神), a Shinto shrine and the guardian of Tokyo from 1300 years ago.

Cafe IMASA
Address: 2-16, Soto-Kanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Nearest station: JR Ochanomizu (Chuo-line)
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 11:30-16:00 / Closed: Saturday, Sunday and national holidays
Website(Japanese only): http://www.kanda-imasa.co.jp/

4. Zen-Kashoin

The concept of this sweets cafe and shop is, "Both flowers and sweets should be as they are." Even though the cafe is on the 5th floor of Shibuya Hikarie (one of the newest fashion buildings), you can enjoy the flavors of ancient Kyoto being away from the hustle and bustle of the Shibuya area.

Zen-Kashoin (然花抄院)
Address: 5th floor, Shibuya Hikarie ShinQs, 2-21-1, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku,  Tokyo
Nearest station: JR/Tokyo Metro Shibuya
Opening hours: 10:00-21:00 / Open all week
Website(Japanese only): http://zen-kashoin.com/store/hikarie/index.html

5. The Palace Lounge

Herry Lawford/Flickr

Palace Hotel Tokyo is in a desirable location with great views of the Imperial Palace gardens. On the lobby floor of this newly renovated hotel, The Palace Lounge offers comfortable tea and cocktail time. Kimono-clad staff serce an afternoon tea in a beautiful jubako (layered food box, normally used for outdoor lunch and New Year's food). Get cozy in front of the fireplace.