I was really hopeful for this place, but sadly they are not welcoming to everyone. I have been staying across the street for 24 hours now, and so far the hospitality in my immediate vicinity has been poor. Starting with my Airbnb accommodations not being ready upon arrival and experiencing an unprompted toilet leak overnight. Keeping an expectant attitude, I was holding out on having a premium matcha experiencing during my time traveling Japan, but the hours of operation in the country overall have been relatively late in the day. This particular tea shop holds the reward for most inoperable hours of the day. My friends and I were excited to taste their goods this morning, but they were closed. They did not open until 1pm. When we returned to our accommodations, I decided to stay behind to recharge before taking on a second leg of the evening. I came inside for 30mins, to charge my phone and research the area for a lovely sunset nightcap. To my excitement I saw that MANDARACHA offered matcha creme brûlée, two of my absolute favorite pairings. I couldn’t have been any luckier, that this was even available across the street, but I was wrong. I entered the establishment at 5:45pm and was met by a sweet host who told me she could not serve me. She mentioned that I needed to order before 5:30. I told her I was staying across the street and that I was looking to try their matcha creme brûlée. She said that I could not, it was a limited quantity. I wasn’t sure why that would matter because I was the last order of the day and it was implied that it was already prepared. I said that was disappointing I have been waiting to try their goods. She then proceeded to tell me that I couldn’t have the creme brûlée alone but that it required I ordered tea with it. This was all a big disappointment, and while this conversation was being had quietly at the host stand, the patrons of the restaurant got quiet and turned their attention to me instead of enjoying their tea pairings. This made for a very awkward exchange, especially being a black woman in a new city with a heart for embracing and promoting the best that any city has to offer. I came to check the reviews of this establishment and learned from one honest reviewer that this place is not a Japanese based tea shop, so it all made much more sense. The Japanese culture has been charming, inclusive, and accommodating during my travels and while this was a let down, I would prefer my first Kyoto matcha experience to be supporting a local tea artisan whose roots are based in the authenticity of the tea culture which goes much further than just being an enthusiast for tea, but service as well. No love lost, just something to consider if you’re attending Kyoto for the heart of the culture based on centuries of Kyoto roots.

my favourite hidden tea gem in kyoto: tea studio mandaracha 🌱🍵 speaking of highlights in kyoto (and there were so many) one experience stands above the rest: my visit to tea studio mandaracha ❤️ i first heard about the place through tea groups and couldn’t be more grateful for the recommendation. expectations were already high, given all the praise — but mandaracha still managed to exceed them. the studio is run by alex, a former engineer who first fell in love with tea in china and later in japan. with a typically precise, almost technical approach, he has been studying, sourcing, and experimenting with japanese teas for years. but what makes the place shine is not just alex’s knowledge — it’s his openness and passion. he answers every question with enthusiasm, shares stories about the estates he works with and brings rare teas back into circulation. even his tea card impresses: maps, graphs, and concise notes on japan’s tea geography — a thoughtful little tool that helps you taste with both brain and senses. in japan they say 神は細部に宿る kami wa saibu ni yadoru – “god dwells in the details” 🌱🙏 for my session today, i was delighted to find a red gaba tea. im big fan of gaba but usually don’t encounter it very often, especially currently in japan! it’s a pity cause gaba tea itself has a fascinating story. it was invented in japan in the 1980s by dr. tsushida to create a tea rich in gamma-aminobutyric acid (gaba) - a natural compound that calms the nervous system, lowers blood pressure and supports relaxation. the method involves processing tea leaves in a nitrogen-rich, oxygen-free environment, which encourages gaba to accumulate in the leaves. surprisingly though japan pioneered the technique, gaba never took off domestically. japanese tea culture is still dominated by green teas and gaba from green varieties doesn’t develop the same richness as in oolong or red teas. instead the technique found new life in taiwan, where gaba oolongs became popular and are still widely produced today. also vietnam slowly picks up and last gaba i showed you, was made there with taiwanese know-how ❤️ alex’s japanese red gaba from shizuoka is also very special. it’s rare, complex and deeply soothing — with layers of taste. i honestly lost count of how many brews i had (around ten for sure!) and by the end i felt like i’d had both an evening satori and a feast for the senses. small hidden paradise - in a cup 😁🙏 the gaba and few other small gift samples i took also with me for my growing tea collection - looking forward to taste all of those too. so yes; if you are tea lover in kyoto mandaracha - is the must see place. can’t recommend enough - my kyoto tea highlight definitely ❤️🙏

+3

If you're a tea lover, I definitely recommend this place. They even recommended a tea to try depending on what other teas I enjoyed. And it was spot on. They have lots of choice in good quality teas. They carefully prepare it and even involve you in the process a bit Great ambience to enjoy a good cup of tea and it's served in beautiful cups, pots and on trays. They have tea that they sell and also some tea accessories like kyusu pots, cups and houhin tea pots and matcha tools They speak great English so also very good place to go if your Japanese is not so good

Truly a special place. Not just the delicious matcha or the beautiful interior or the amazing vegan desserts but the vibe of the place. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Alex, and one of his team, Laura. Two of the nicest people I’ve met. The way they do things here is pure art. This is a “must try”, no doubt about it. 10/10

Alexandre created an amazing place to stay at and enjoy some quiet time while drinking tea and eating selected sweet Japanese delicacies. He and his team create an extremely relaxing atmosphere, treating guests with polite Japanese courtesy yet a very warm, friendly touch. The tea selection covers a wide range of Japanese varieties that go far beyond the much-hyped matcha. Both the tea and the service are of wonderful quality. I chose Houjicha, Mie Matcha and Kyoubancha – all three with exciting flavours. My favourite: Houjicha. The selection of desserts is small but exquisite, and is occasionally replaced or expanded with special seasonal offerings. I’ve tried most of them and couldn’t pick a favourite: Matcha and Houjicha crème brûlée, black tea ice cream, Edamame mooncake, Yuzu tartlet. If you want to take some time off from the touristy hussle or the city, get in, take a seat and enjoy time! :)