Tea enjoyment in a historic building
Hachaya Terada-en is a Japanese tea cafe that opened in August 2022 in Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture. It is conveniently located within a 5-minute walk from Nagareyama Station, served by the local railway line, the Ryutetsu Nagareyama Line. The Nagareyama-Honcho area where the cafe is situated has a rich history, having thrived during the Edo and Meiji periods as a transportation hub along the Edo River. It is also known as the birthplace of “shiromirin” (white mirin), a type of sweet rice wine. The area boasts well-preserved Meiji-era buildings, some of which have been repurposed into galleries and shops, making it a charming district for strolling and exploring.
The birth of Hachaya Terada-en involved the restoration and adaptation of a traditional Japanese house that was originally built in 1889. This house was designated as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2011 under the name Terada-en Chaho. Terada-en Chaho operated as a tea shop until 1963, offering tea and dried fish, and was beloved by the local community as a neighborhood tea store.
When Hachaya Terada-en was established, the building’s walls and ceilings were preserved, with some areas undergoing renovation. The exterior of the building remains untouched, retaining the nostalgic ambiance of that era.
Promoting nagareyama and tea
The operation of Hachaya Terada-en is managed by Nagareyama Tourism Design, a destination management organization (DMO) dedicated to the preservation and utilization of historic structures in Nagareyama-Honcho. The cafe is produced by Kirinji, the company behind the Japanese tea cafe SAKUU in Shibuya, and it offers original blended teas created by the Sakurai Baisa Kenkyujo , a specialist in Japanese tea based in Omotesando.
The cafe’s interior exudes the charm of a traditional Japanese house-turned-cafe, offering a nostalgic and cozy atmosphere.
Sunlight gently streams in through the windows, enveloping visitors in the warmth of wood, providing an ideal setting to savor a cup of tea.
The “Original Blend Tea” by the Sakurai Baisa Kenkyujo is a signature menu item, featuring a blend of various Japanese tea such as Sencha and Hojicha combined with herbs and citrus elements like spearmint and lemongrass. The blend comes in three varieties: “CLEAR,” “CLOUDY,” and “AROMATIC,” each offering a harmonious combination of the rich flavors of Japanese tea and the distinctive aromas of the blending ingredients.
You can also enjoy cream sodas made with tea, known for their striking gradation. The cafe offers three options: “Lemon Cream Soda,” “Matcha Cream Soda,” and “Hojicha Cream Soda.”
A menu unique to the birthplace of white mirin
At Hachaya Terada-en, you can enjoy a variety of original sweets that are unique to the birthplace of shiromirin (white mirin). These sweets include cream puffs, chiffon cakes, and chilled amazake (sweet rice drink) made with mirin. One standout item is the “Nagareyama Mirin Pastry Cream Puff,” which offers a satisfying and delightful treat suitable for both adults and children.
“TERADAZEN” offers a dining menu that incorporates seasonal ingredients from Nagareyama along with mirin. The menu includes seasonal okowa (sticky rice dish), steamed vegetables, mirin-soaked eggs, and soup enhanced with mirin, creating a set that highlights the charms of Nagareyama’s local cuisine.
The cafe also has a retail space where you can purchase three varieties of original blended tea, as well as loose leaf green tea, hojicha (roasted green tea), and black tea.
In addition, you can find a selection of curated items from various regions in Japan, including the teaware used in the cafe, original cutlery, and copper tea canisters (available for custom orders).
On the cafe’s second floor, you’ll discover the “Nagareyama Kaleidoscope Gallery & Museum,” which has been recently renovated. Before or after your tea time, be sure to take a peek into the beautiful world of kaleidoscopes.
Store information
Address: 2-101-1 Nagareyama, Nagareyama City, Chiba
Phone: 04-7190-5601
Opening hours: 10am-5pm
Closed on Mondays
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