OHASHI – A Japanese Tea Specialty Store in Nakano, Tokyo. Located just a 2-minute walk from Nakano Station’s South Exit.
Evolution of Tradition
Founded as a tea merchant in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district in the Edo period back in 1653, OHASHI later relocated to Nakano after World War II. Ever since then, it has continued to operate in Nakano. In 2007, OHASHI underwent a significant renovation to adapt to the changing times.
The traditional atmosphere of a Japanese specialty store was completely revamped, giving rise to a shop resembling a European-style general store.
The renovation not only extended to the interior but also involved changes in the product lineup and packaging, attracting considerable attention.
A full assortment of Japanese tea
OHASHI mainly offers teas from Shizuoka but also features teas from other regions such as Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kyoto, and Shiga. The shop’s owner, Toru Morita, focuses on selling teas that he has blended himself.
One of the unique features of this long-standing Japanese tea specialty store is the seasonal variation in the tea blends. During the new tea season in spring, the tea is light, while it becomes more robust in flavor as it surpasses summer. This is the OHASHI style.
Popular series with a variety of flavors
One of the popular items at the store is the Tea Pack Series.. Alongside standard teas like sencha and genmaicha, they offer around 30 different teas infused with flavors and ingredients like ginger, caramel, and chocolate, based on green tea and hojicha.
The tea bags come in individual packets, allowing customers to select and purchase their favorite teas. The assorted gift box of popular teas from the Tea Pack Series is also highly recommended.
Handmade packages that are a joy to receive
Each tea box and bag is handmade, with some featuring seasonal package designs that change over time. This adds to the allure of discovering new packages and products every time you visit the store.
The shop is packed with various goods, including tea and snack sets, charming gift items, and even rare items like kuzuyu (kuzu starch drink), which is uncommon for a Japanese tea specialty store. They offer kuzuyu in flavors such as matcha, mandarin orange, strawberry, and yuzu.
OHASHI carefully selects teapots and Kyusu (Japanese teapots) that match the shop’s ambiance and design.
For occasions like weddings or White Day, OHASHI can cater to various gift needs. When uncertain about what to choose, the owner, Mr. Morita, is always available to provide helpful suggestions based on the gift situation.
If you’re interested, don’t hesitate to visit the store and explore the array of meticulously crafted products on display.
Store Information
Address: 3-34-31 Nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3381-5320
Opening hours: 10:30am-6pm
Closed on Sunday
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