Harajuku Saryo and Shimokitazawa Saryo are located respectively in Harajuku and Shimokitazawa—towns known to be at the forefront of Tokyo’s various unique cultures. These cafés offer traditional Japanese pottery workshops, in which you can also have a relaxing time while enjoying Japanese tea served in a teacup made by yourself as well as Japanese sweets.

For the teacup making, they use a unique process that has been developed by incorporating modern art techniques into the Edo-nuri tradition that has been passed down for about 260 years since the Edo period. Traditional Japanese tea utensils include cups and matcha containers, and a wide variety of types, shapes, and processes for making them have been devised since old times. At the workshop, you can pick a cup of your choice from the cups available at the café and can make your original teacup.

You can select a vessel of your choice from a selection of teacups and small sake cups, and paint it with more than 20 different kinds of paint.

Layering, scraping, adding patterns, polishing, and finishing—let’s unlock your inner artistic talent.

After making your one-of-a-kind teacup, it’s time to enjoy the unique Japanese-style teatime with finest grade Japanese tea and sweets using your own teacup.

Drinking from one’s original teacup makes the tea taste special. The cafés serve Japan’s traditional Gyokuro tea as well as their original contemporary Japanese blended tea specially made for each season.

With a relaxing atmosphere and nice background music, the cafés allow you to have a special time that would unleash your five senses to fully enjoy the flavors of the teas and the warmth of the cup. Each workshop is 120 minutes for 5,500 yen, and you can make a reservation on the official website. They get busy during weekends, so we recommend that you visit there on a weekday if you prefer a quieter time. Official website: https://saryo.info/

If you feel like taking a break during your trip, why not enjoy yourself at a tea spot where you can experience traditional Japanese culture?

■DATA Shimokitazawa Saryo Address: Shirakawa Bldg. 2F, 2-12-12 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo Opening hours: 10:00a.m. - 6:00p.m. Official website: https://saryo.info/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saryo_simokitazawa/ Harajuku Saryo Address: 3-33-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Opening hours: 10:00a.m. - 6:00p.m. Official website: https://saryo.info/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saryo_harajuku/

(Information as of February 2024.)

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