01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Set along the lively street of Yanaka Ginza, Chaya Matsuo welcomes passersby with an unpretentious spread of freshly prepared, tender mochi. The rice cake selection ranges from the classic mitarashi—drenched in a glossy sweet-savoury glaze—to desserts dressed with rich kuromitsu black sugar syrup, toasted kinako soybean flour, or plump Dainagon azuki red beans. Savoury preparations are equally well-represented, including fragrant seaweed-wrapped isobe and refreshing grated daikon radish. Pairing sweet and savoury styles makes for an engaging tasting session that easily hits the spot during an afternoon walk.
Beyond mochi, the shop offers a generous lineup of classic Japanese teahouse sweets. These include charming cat-shaped Yanaka Neko Monaka wafers, springy warabi mochi, fresh fruit anmitsu, and chilled warabi zenzai red bean soup. During the summer months, the menu expands to include cooling treats such as Uji Kintoki shaved ice and colourful rainbow warabi mochi sodas. Drinks feature an extensive selection of teas, from crisp cold-brew green tea and hojicha roasted green tea to rich matcha, alongside sweet cafe-style options like an azuki matcha latte float topped with a cat motif.
Counter seating inside allows guests to sit down and unwind over tea, though items are also available for takeout or eating on the go. With credit cards and major QR code payment options accepted, it is an easy, welcoming stop for hot tea and soft mochi in the heart of Tokyo's historic downtown.
