{"id":2017,"date":"2026-04-09T22:34:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T22:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/2017\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T22:34:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T22:34:11","slug":"tea-irises-and-nordic-homeware-visit-these-four-tokyo-spots-before-they-get-trendy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Tea, Irises, and Nordic Homeware: Visit These Four Tokyo Spots Before They Get Trendy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tokyo is a massive metropolis. As the country\u2019s capital with not one but two international airports, this city obviously has a lot going on. As such, there are a lot of places that are hyped up online and then trampled half to death by tourists<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While many tourists might stick to the most popular spots, Tokyo has a lot more to offer than just those. More discerning travelers can experience the quiet, hidden gems scattered throughout the city. Here are just a few otherwise hidden or overlooked spots we\u2019ve caught sight of lately that you don\u2019t want to miss. <\/p>\n

HIGASHIYA man Marunouchi: complexity hidden in simplicity<\/p>\n

\"ThePicture: HIGASHIYA man Marunouchi<\/p>\n

A short walk from Tokyo Station, HIGASHIYA man Marunouchi<\/a> sits in the middle of a business district where glass towers and office workers set the rhythm of the day. The shop carries freshly steamed manju (both traditional and fusion styles), souvenir sweets, tea leaves, and traditional tableware.<\/p>\n

The shop has a very Zen, minimalist vibe, mixing natural wood with wide white walls and copper plating. The understated design is a huge contrast to a lot of nearby, flashier stores. However, that simplicity is also what makes it such a breath of fresh air.<\/p>\n

One neat thing about the store is that it has secret nori-ben (\u6d77\u82d4\u5f01) that it doesn\u2019t openly display. This lunchbox appears very simple on the surface, with only nori seaweed and a Japanese-style egg omelet on top. But underneath, there\u2019s flavored rice with 10 different side dishes or more.<\/p>\n

Address: 100-0005 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 1 Chome\u22124\u22125 1F<\/p>\n

A warm cup of Japanese black tea at KAGUWA<\/p>\n

\"Small<\/p>\n

We love Kagurazaka. With its plethora of small shops and premier restaurants that constitute its unique brick street neighborhood, Hyogo Yokocho, Kagurazaka is an active yet still relatively peaceful slice of Tokyo.<\/p>\n

Found in the neighborhood\u2019s narrow backstreets, KAGUWA<\/a> is a tea shop that brings attention to a less familiar corner of Japan\u2019s tea culture: Japanese black tea (\u548c\u7d05\u8336, wak\u014dcha). In other words, this is black tea grown and processed in Japan rather than imported from overseas.<\/p>\n

The shop\u2019s appeal lies in its intimacy. Its seating area is small, with only seven seats at an L-shaped counter. The menu includes black tea hand-picked by the owner and wagashi (\u548c\u83d3\u5b50), or Japanese sweets. Since seating is limited, I\u2019d suggest booking ahead of time. (Just be sure to actually show up<\/a>!)<\/p>\n

Narahara Ryo, the owner of the shop, has been specializing in tea for a long time and knows his stuff. He studied in Sri Lanka (famous for its tea production) and even got an official qualification from the UK Tea Academy as a professional tea sommelier.<\/p>\n

The owner didn\u2019t just put careful thought into the tea selection, though. He also chose the teaware used to serve customers, even commissioning original pieces from artists. It adds a touch of thoughtfulness and sincerity that can be hard to find in such a bustling metropolis.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Want more news and views from Japan? Donate $5\/month ($60 one-time donation) to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund<\/a> to join Unseen Japan Insider. You’ll get our Insider newsletter with more news and deep dives, a chance to get your burning Japan questions answered, and a voice in our future editorial direction.<\/p>\n

Address: 162-0825 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kagurazaka, 6 Chome\u221221 NEO\u795e\u697d\u5742 1F<\/p>\n

Stopping to smell the irises at the Imperial Palace<\/p>\n

\"IrisesPicture: degu66<\/a>\u00a0\/ PIXTA(\u30d4\u30af\u30b9\u30bf)<\/p>\n

On the one hand, I can\u2019t really call the Imperial Palace East Gardens<\/a> \u201chidden\u201d or \u201cunknown.\u201d They just don\u2019t have the same massive draw as more popular sites like Senso-ji or Shibuya Crossing. Frankly, they have one of central Tokyo\u2019s most underrated seasonal walks.<\/p>\n

Built on the site of Edo Castle\u2019s former inner grounds, the gardens feature historically preserved walls and carefully maintained landscapes. In early summer, the iris beds especially add a burst of color without taking away from the gardens\u2019 sense of quiet.<\/p>\n

\"MapThe East Garden of the Imperial Palace offers a lot to explore. (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

Unlike more famous flower-viewing spots, the East Gardens feel spacious and contemplative, especially on weekday mornings. The area with the irises also has water features and different elevations, so you\u2019ll never have a flat experience going through.<\/p>\n

Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111<\/p>\n

Bonus: grab some Nordic homeware at CINQ HOME<\/p>\n

\"Instagram<\/p>\n

Though it\u2019s only open three days a week (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday), CINQ HOME<\/a> in Tokyo\u2019s popular Kichijoji neighborhood has some unique pieces on offer that\u2019ll pique anyone\u2019s interest. Its stock consists mostly of Nordic and British vintage furniture, tableware, baskets, and more, all of high quality.<\/p>\n

The interior is spacious and serene, blending 1800s antiques with modern Japanese sensibilities. Some of the more popular (and, for travelers, portable) items include classy English teapots and CANASA mugs.<\/p>\n

The shop also hosts events every now and then, including tea ceremony workshops, basket weaving, and seasonal exhibits. It\u2019s overall a very relaxed shop with many unique pieces. It even comes with a resident black cat chilling in the background.<\/p>\n

Address: 180-0004 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Honcho, 2 Chome\u221231\u22121 2F<\/p>\n

Uncover more amazing, less-toured places in Japan<\/p>\n

Tokyo\u2019s best secrets don\u2019t hide by distance, but by understatement. All these places reward visitors who prefer craft over hype and atmosphere over crowds. Together, they give a portrait of Tokyo you don\u2019t normally see: one that\u2019s quiet, exacting, and elegant.<\/p>\n

And if, after those visits, you\u2019re feeling peckish, try some lesser-known Tokyo caf\u00e9s<\/a>, the city\u2019s lesser-known museums<\/a>, or other neighborhoods like the thrifty Shimokitazawa<\/a>. <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Want more news and views from Japan? Donate $5\/month ($60 one-time donation) to the Unseen Japan Journalism Fund<\/a> to join Unseen Japan Insider. You’ll get our Insider newsletter with more news and deep dives, a chance to get your burning Japan questions answered, and a voice in our future editorial direction.<\/p>\n

Sources<\/p>\n

\u6771\u4eac\u99c5\u304b\u3089\u5f92\u6b695\u5206\u266a\u3000 \u6d17\u7df4\u3092\u6975\u3081\u305f\u6771\u4eac\u307f\u3084\u3052\u3068\u8d05\u6ca2\u3059\u304e\u308b\u96a0\u308c\u30e1\u30cb\u30e5\u30fc\u300c\u6d77\u82d4\u5f01\u300d \u3092\u300cHIGASHIYA man \u4e38\u306e\u5185\u300d\u306e\u30b7\u30e7\u30c3\u30d7\u3067 co-Trip<\/a><\/p>\n

\u304b\u3050\u308f\u3057\u304f\u3001\u307b\u3063\u3053\u308a\u3068\u3002\u795e\u697d\u5742\u306e\u548c\u7d05\u8336\u5c02\u9580\u5e97\u300cKAGUWA\u300d\u3067\u904e\u3054\u3059\u7652\u3057\u306e\u6642\u9593 co-Trip<\/a><\/p>\n

\u90fd\u5185\u306e\u7d76\u666f\u30b9\u30dd\u30c3\u30c8\u3002\u6885\u96e8\u306b\u54b2\u304d\u8a87\u308b\u300c\u7687\u5c45\u6771\u5fa1\u82d1\u300d\u306e\u82b1\u83d6\u84b2 Travel jp<\/a><\/p>\n

\u5409\u7965\u5bfa\u3067\u90313\u65e5\u3060\u3051\u30aa\u30fc\u30d7\u30f3\u3002\u5317\u6b27\u3084\u82f1\u56fd\u306e\u4e00\u70b9\u3082\u306e\u306b\u51fa\u4f1a\u3048\u308b\u3001\u66ae\u3089\u3057\u306e\u9053\u5177\u3068\u5bb6\u5177\u306e\u304a\u5e97\u300cCINQ HOME\u300dco-Trip<\/a><\/p>\n

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