Tucked deep within the quiet residential alleys of Omotesando, Urasando GARDEN is a stunning multi-purpose traditional house you’ll only uncover by venturing off the beaten path. From the moment you step through its weathered wooden door, a warm, rustic ambiance envelops you.

This lovingly preserved wooden relic houses a ground floor centered around Japanese cafés, each with its own culinary flair, and an outdoor courtyard with wooden tables where guests can dine amidst the serene garden setting. Every corner exudes a nostalgic, tranquil vibe, with shared seating areas letting you pick your spot, order from multiple vendors, and enjoy a variety of dishes—perfect for a cozy afternoon tea with friends.

The second floor blends a Japanese lifestyle shop with curated exhibits, immersing visitors in local culture. Today, we’re diving into the allure of three must-visit Japanese afternoon tea spots on Urasando GARDEN’s first floor!

Must-Try Eateries at Urasando GARDEN
・Uji-en: A century-old Kyoto matcha master blending Japanese tea with inventive Western sweets for a fragrant symphony.
・Riz Labo Kitchen: Cloud-light, 100% rice flour, gluten-free waffles with a dreamy new texture.
・Mican Club: Stunning “Angel’s Tears” sweets almost too pretty to eat, plus the fun of grilling your own dango.

Stepping into Urasando GARDEN, the first shop you’ll encounter on your left is Uji-en. Originating in Kyoto in 1869, this Japanese tea specialist boasts nearly 150 years of history, later relocating its flagship to Osaka’s Shinsaibashi, where it gained fame for premium, handpicked teas and drinks from across Japan.

Over time, Uji-en introduced a range of creative sweets infused with Japanese tea, winning even more fans. Now with over 20 locations worldwide, its 2016 opening at Urasando GARDEN in Harajuku draws daily crowds the moment doors swing open.

Inside Uji-en’s traditional Japanese folk-house ambiance, sitting down to savor the unique charm of Japanese tea culture with a gentle sip, paired with tea-infused sweets, offers a truly special experience. From matcha and hojicha drinks, lattes, ice cream, tiramisu, to raw chocolates, nothing feels overwhelming—plus, a matcha tea ceremony experience satisfies both matcha lovers and DIY enthusiasts alike!

The Matcha Tiramisu (Matcha Set) not only lets you enjoy a delicious matcha tiramisu but also guides you through the hands-on steps of a tea ceremony—add hot water to matcha powder in a bowl, whisk it with a bamboo brush until fine foam forms, and savor your own fragrant brew with a satisfying sense of accomplishment. The lingering tea aroma dances on your palate, and before you know it, the bowl’s empty!

Dusted with fine, vibrant green matcha powder, the creamy, moist tiramisu blends rich, smooth, fragrant, and tender layers of flavor that burst on your tongue—an absolute treat. Paired with your freshly whisked matcha, the tea’s subtle bitterness balances the dessert’s sweetness, while the tiramisu softens the matcha’s edge, creating a flawless harmony.

Uji-en’s pursuit of perfection shines through not just in its teas and sweets but in every detail—like the exquisite tiramisu container, crafted from Yamanaka lacquerware, a 400-year-old wooden artistry tradition from Ishikawa Prefecture.

Another must-order treat, the Hojicha Parfait, layers sweet and rich flavors into a delightful experience. The hojicha ice cream melts with a bold, aromatic tea taste, paired with chewy shiratama dango, crunchy oats, tea-leaf-shaped hojicha cookies, sweet red bean paste, fluffy hojicha cake, whipped cream, and refreshing hojicha jelly—together, they create a visually stunning dessert symphony that’s impossible to resist, spoonful after spoonful!

Beyond the hojicha version, a matcha parfait is also on offer for those craving a green tea twist.

The must-try Hojicha Parfait features Uji-en’s signature Asabi Hojicha Hino tea, crafted from premium “Karine” stem tea leaves roasted slowly over a gentle flame for an exceptional flavor profile. Its deep, toasty aroma fills the air, with a golden hue, easy brewing, and a smooth, lingering taste that leaves you craving more.

Uji-en also offers a range of refined tea-infused sweets and drinks, including seasonal specials like refreshing matcha and hojicha shaved ice in summer—huge hits among dessert lovers. Plus, single-serve or canned premium teas are available for purchase, making it a must-visit spot for matcha fans and tea enthusiasts alike!

For those chasing both health and delicious pancakes, Riz Labo Kitchen’s rice flour creations are a must-try! The name “Riz,” meaning “rice” in French, reflects Japan’s deep-rooted love for rice-based cuisine, and this spot channels that passion into fluffy, rice-scented pancakes that never fail to impress.

The duo behind Riz Labo Kitchen holds rice flour instructor certifications from Japan’s Grain Inspection Association, showcasing their dedication to gluten-free dining. From ingredient selection to every meticulous step of baking, their care ensures guests can savor these treats with confidence—drawing crowds daily at 11 AM, filling seats fast, and sparking lines on weekends!

At Riz Labo Kitchen, one side features counter seating facing the bar, letting you chat with staff— including a Taiwanese member who takes orders in Chinese—while enjoying your sweets. The other side offers a tatami room, amplifying the Japanese vibe as you dig in.

Unlike typical pancakes laden with gluten-rich wheat flour, milk, butter, and refined sugar, Riz Labo Kitchen crafts theirs solely from rice flour—sourced from pesticide-free, organic Japanese rice. They swap milk for organic soy milk packed with isoflavones, ditch refined sugar for mineral-rich Amami Oshima cane sugar and sanbonto, use free-range domestic eggs, and rely on premium Japanese rice oil, all free of artificial additives.

I tried Riz Labo Kitchen’s popular pick: the “Fluffy Rice Flour Matcha Pancake.” A cloud-like, soft white pancake dusted with Kyoto Uji-en matcha powder and topped with silky red bean paste looks like a work of art—visually tempting you to dive in!

With the first bite, a gentle rice aroma blooms, light and grease-free, boasting a tender yet slightly chewy texture that keeps you coming back for more. The red bean paste, made from Hokkaido beans, spreads a fragrant, non-cloying sweetness across your palate—utterly delicious!

The rich, slightly bitter matcha pairs perfectly with the sweet red beans, and a drizzle of Canadian maple syrup adds another layer of charm. Paired with a hot organic Earl Grey tea—its floral notes harmonizing without overshadowing—the combo whisks you into a blissful dessert moment.

Every pancake flavor at Riz Labo Kitchen is not only delicious but also healthy and nourishing! Made with carefully selected ingredients, these rice flour pancakes let guests indulge worry-free, hooking you with their unique taste after just one bite!

Nestled within Urasando GARDEN, Mican Club is a dessert spot reimagining traditional Japanese wagashi with innovative flair. Their star attraction, Angel’s Tears (天使の涙), boasts a striking, dreamy look and a curiosity-piquing name that sparked a sensation upon debut—selling over a hundred in a single day at its peak, dominating Instagram with viral check-in snaps, and drawing media from far and wide for interviews.

The quaint, vintage stall paired with traditional Japanese wagashi exudes a rich Japanese charm, instantly calming your mind as you settle in. Mican Club’s owner, Ms. Kishida, warmly greets guests while sharing the story behind the name with me—flipping the kanji of the classic term “kanmidokoro” (sweet shop) and adding “CLUB” in English, she crafted the playful and unique “Mican Club.”

Ms. Kishida revealed that her family ran a traditional sweets shop when she was young, a career she paused after marriage until her kids grew up. With newfound time, she rekindled her passion, opening Mican Club to share the joy of Japanese wagashi and culture—her love and dedication shining through every exquisite treat.

First up is the wildly popular, limited-edition Angel’s Tears, Mican Club’s top star! A crystal-clear water mochi, shaped like a teardrop, rests in a Royal Copenhagen exclusive dish, adorned with a touch of gold leaf, dusted with kinako (soybean flour), and drizzled with rich, reddish-brown black molasses—resembling a glistening tear or a delicate work of art.

As it’s served, the gentle wobble evokes a playful, jelly-like “duai duai” charm, making it almost too precious to scoop! Melting instantly in your mouth, it delivers a refreshing burst, elevated by 100% Hokkaido kinako and additive-free Japanese black molasses—naturally sweet without being cloying, a dreamy delight for both eyes and palate.

Another unmissable classic at Mican Club is the Mitarashi Dango Set, complete with a mini Japanese grill so you can enjoy the fun of toasting your own dango. Swapping out traditional sweet soy sauce, the shop offers 11 house-made dips, letting you pick three—my choices were the top picks among women (left to right in the photo): cinnamon, yuzu pepper, and plum.

Made from 100% domestic rice flour, these white, sticky rice balls release a subtle charred aroma after seven turns on the solo grill, delivering a chewy bite with warm, rich, sweet rice flavor. Paired with these dazzling sauces, they’re downright addictive! The cinnamon dip adds a gentle sweetness and aroma that elevates the dango perfectly; the savory yuzu pepper sauce complements its sweetness with a zesty kick; and the plum sauce—sweet, sour, and salty—sparks your appetite with every burst.

This simple yet captivating Japanese treat begs to be savored firsthand! For drinks, I paired both the Angel’s Tears and Mitarashi Dango Set with hot soba cha (buckwheat tea)—a rare, domestic Tartary buckwheat variety, caffeine-free and packed with more nutrients than standard soba tea. Its clear, bright broth, reminiscent of green tea in color but closer to genmaicha in aroma with a hint of spicy depth, softens the sweets’ richness and refreshes your palate with every warm sip.

Having traveled to Taiwan, Ms. Kishida shared her love for local treats like douhua, Taiwanese shaved ice, and braised pork rice. With Taiwanese staff on hand to assist visitors, she warmly invites those eager to dive into Japanese culture and cuisine to stop by Mican Club at Urasando GARDEN, where tradition meets innovation in delightful, additive-free sweets made from domestic ingredients!

Just a few minutes’ walk from the bustling Omotesando shopping district, Urasando GARDEN offers a tranquil escape where time seems to slow, letting you unwind over delicious sweets with a lighter heart. Each Japanese-style café here serves up creative, tasty dishes and drinks, crafted with a commitment to healthy, high-quality ingredients—don’t miss it on your next trip to Harajuku or Omotesando!

This article reflects information from 2018; please check with the shops for the latest updates.