If you’re on the lookout for authentic, home-grown Japanese tea and traditional Japanese food, The Sakura Japanese Tea Shop and Cafeteria located in Motomachi, Yokohama is just the place for you. Seen from outside, it looks very unassuming and simple; perfectly fits the bill of the old adage, “Do not judge the book by its cover”. It doesn’t even have a signage. The façade gives no clue, whatsoever, as to the wonders that lay behind the glass door. If not for several chairs which are half visible from the outside, one would doubt if it is a restaurant. But do enter, and experience Japanese simplicity at its best whilst enjoying good food.



The interior is simply furnished; with rows of teapots neatly arranged.



Old-fashioned tea advertisements are propped up making you wonder if they did have such ads decades, if not a century, ago. 



We were with our hyper toddler hence Sakura’s spacious sofa was such a welcome retreat for us; especially after the humid (mushiatsui) Japanese summer heat. 



During this summer alone, we’ve been to Sakura Tea Shop twice (!). And on both instances, we ordered our favourites. 
Tofu Hamburger steak Lunch - This lunch set is Sakura’s most popular menu. The rice in this set is called Hoji-Chameshi, in which the rice has been boiled not simply with water but using Sakura’s Hoji Tea. This Hamburger steak is the healthier variety, as it is made of tofu.



And THIS is Sakura’s Maccha Somen Lunch. If asked to choose between this somen set and the Hamburger steak set, we’d definitely choose the Maccha Somen set. Somen noodle, being the traditional Japanese summer-time menu, the maccha somen is served cold atop cubed ice.  The maccha-flavoured some noodle melts perfectly with the creamy soy milk-sesame seed dip that after each forkful of dipped noodle, we always find ourselves smiling and rapturously murmuring how good this noodle is. Ahhh. Just writing about it makes me want to go to Sakura tea just now. 



Our lunch sets comes with tea of our choice. 





Served hot but is drunk cold with ice. Interesting, to say the least. 

Maccha Parfait! Also Sakura’s best-selling dessert, maccha jelly and maccha ice cream comes together with black sesame blancmange and Hoji tea gelatin. Our toddler says after each mouthful: yummy! 



Sakura also holds Live performances, most often, Live Jazz. Check out their website below for news of upcoming lives. 

Information
SAKURA
Address: 2-107 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Yokohama-city, 231-0861
Website: http://www.sakura-yokohama.com/shop/html/
Map: