Sangenjaya

Tea time should be sacred, especially in Japan. That was the thinking of Tokyo Saryo’s owners as they witnessed the coffee craze sweep over their city, while traditional, domestically produced tea was relegated to the back seat. The resulting tea house is soothing in its minimalism—off-white bare walls surrounding a simple square bar where a tea master does the brewing. Every detail of the experience is painstakingly considered. The pour-over pots have copper bases, ceramic drippers, and wooden holders designed by the owners to extract the maximum flavor from the leaves. Japanese green sencha tea can handle more than one infusion, so make sure you leave adequate time to enjoy this ritual. The first cup will taste strong but sweet, while the second will taste stronger still and create a light caffeine buzz to steer you through the afternoon.