A Japanese Tea Café Sharing the Passion of Shizuoka’s Tea Farmers
In September 2024, Chaya Wabisuke opened its doors in Shizuoka City, just a 10-minute drive from JR Shizuoka Station. Nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, this Japanese tea café provides guests with a serene retreat from the daily bustle.
Designed with the spirit of a traditional tearoom, the interior features warm wood tones and gentle aromas that invite visitors to slow down and relax.
Shizuoka is known as a true “tea town,” home to numerous tea farmers and merchants producing a wide range of distinctive teas. Owner Hideyuki Ito founded Chaya Wabisuke to share this rich culture and help protect Shizuoka’s tea-growing environment, while introducing more people to its unique charm.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a refreshing cold tea, setting the tone for an indulgent tea experience.
Shizuoka Tea and Sweets, A Perfect
The café sources its tea leaves directly from dedicated local farmers in Shizuoka. The menu is curated under the guidance of veteran Japanese tea instructor Yoshihiko Nakata, ensuring that each tea reflects the depth and character of Shizuoka.
One highlight is the tea and sweets set (from 1,100 yen), where guests can pair sencha, Japanese black tea, or hojicha with one of several desserts such as wasanbon pudding, wagashi, or matcha tiramisu.
A must-try is the café’s signature Susuri-cha. The first steeping uses cold water, drawing out the tea’s natural sweetness and umami in a concentrated sip. The second and third steepings use hot water, and finally, the tea leaves themselves can be eaten.
The wasanbon pudding is particularly popular, balancing the refined sweetness of wasanbon sugar with the gentle bitterness of matcha and the rich aroma of caramel.
Wagashi options vary with the season, while the matcha latte, made with Honyama Matcha once cherished by shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, is another customer favorite.
Tea Moments to Savor
Enjoying a cup of tea while sitting on the veranda, gazing at the café’s garden, is an experience that lingers in memory.
In addition to tea and sweets, the café also serves simple bites like rice balls (180 yen). The “okaka” rice ball, topped with freshly shaved bonito flakes from nearby Yaizu—renowned for its bonito production—is especially recommended.
Guests can also purchase tea leaves from local producers such as Saito chaen, Shitajimaen, and Ocha no Mori, whose teas are used on the café menu.
The café regularly hosts events like varietal tea tastings, where visitors can learn more about the farmers and their teas. Event details are shared on the café’s Instagram.
Beloved by locals, tea enthusiasts, and international travelers alike, Chaya Wabisuke is a destination not to be missed. With easy access by taxi or bus from JR Shizuoka Station, it makes for a perfect stop on any journey
Shop Information
Address: 1-14-7 Chiyoda, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Access: About 20 minutes by bus from JR Shizuoka Station
Phone: 054-395-5015
Hours: 11:30–18:30
Closed: Irregular holidays
Website: https://www.wabisuke.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wabisuke_tea/
