MA is a tea cafe located near the UNESCO World Heritage site of To-ji Temple. With tea at its core, the store fuses various cultures and elements such as sweets, food, art, fragrance, and music.
Renovated from a nearly 100-year-old Kyoto machiya built during the Taisho era, MA opened its doors in 2019. The space exudes a nostalgic atmosphere that captures the essence of Kyoto.
With the theme of “Enjoying Tea Time,” the tea room curates special tea experiences. Impressively, MA offers a selection of 200 teas. These encompass 180 varieties of Japanese tea alone, including matcha, tencha, gyokuro, sencha, kamairicha, kama-iri cha, and Japanese black tea. Each tea showcases the unique characteristics of its origin and type. The staff takes individual preferences into account and recommends tea from their extensive selection.
The establishment seeks to explore new possibilities for tea and sweets. Notably, their signature menu item “Samyo” involves enjoying matcha and gyokuro poured directly onto confections such as manju, creating a unique tea-soaked confection experience. This innovative marriage of tea and sweets offers a fresh perspective.
Additionally, a pairing course named “Ma’s CHAJI – Tea and Sweets” featuring three types of tea-inspired sweets matched with tea is also available. This captivating menu allows you to savor the world of MA as you enjoy the harmonious pairing of tea and confections.
During lunchtime, they offer the “Ma’s CHAJI – Lunch” course, which includes a traditional tea kaiseki meal and tea.
It’s worth noting that reservations are required for the “Ma’s CHAJI – Tea and Sweets” and “Ma’s CHAJI – Lunch” courses. Even for tea alone, making a reservation is recommended.
MA provides tea-scented experiences using the extracts of Japanese tea. They sell eight different types: gyokuro, sencha, white tea, oolong tea, Japanese black tea, hojicha, blended sencha, and blended hojicha. The allure lies in the natural aroma of the teas, making it a perfect choice for relaxation or when you want to take a break.
Beyond the tea room, there’s a separate Japanese-style room for hosting events and tea gatherings. For event information, check their official website or social media channels.
Store information
Address: 59, Nishi-Kujo Hinagajo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-748-6198
Opening hours: 11am-5pm
Closed on Wednesdays
View website
