There are some things that Japan really gets right. Tea is one of those things. Garden landscaping is another. And creating a calm space within a massive busy city is also right up there. Kosoan offers all three.
Just a short stroll from Jiyugaoka Station, this tea house and gallery is set within a private residence that was converted into a traditional tea room around 20 years ago. Named after its repurposed mulberry wood cladding, Kosoan's crown jewel is a private inner garden that houses plants including pines, maples, azaleas, and hydrangeas which you can admire throughout the seasons as you sip Japanese tea.
Look out for the modest wooden sign marked ‘open’, head up the stone footpath and take your shoes off at the entrance before stepping onto the soft tatami mats in the main tea room. As you take your seat at one of the low tables, you'll notice that the interior is beautifully decorated with antiques and folk crafts, such as byobu folding screens and maki-e lacquer art. The tea house's founder, an artist, displays his unique dolls made from silk crepe and vintage fabrics, adding a special touch for visitors to enjoy.
The menus are in both English and Japanese, with pictures to help you pick between offerings. We like the matcha and Japanese sweet set, where a bowl of freshly whisked matcha is served with a traditional azuki bean-based treat to offset the bitterness of the green tea (¥1,000). Another traditional favourite is the anmistu (¥1,000), a jelly-based dessert topped with preserved fruits and sweet azuki paste. If you’re not a fan of tea, you can also order a coffee set (¥700) where your brew is served with a small slice of rum raisin cake.