On the way back from Mie Prefecture, I stopped by Wazuka. Had the usual pattern of hojicha soft serve and sencha. The hojicha soft serve was as rich as ever. Sencha here is best with water, and the first steep is sweet, just as expected. Then, gradually, bitterness and astringency start to come through. I prefer sencha over coffee. This time, I got a soft baum to take home.

In Kyoto, known for its tea production, there are many cafes where you can enjoy delicious tea, set against the backdrop of neatly arranged tea fields in Wazuka Town. This time, we tried the "Matcha Parfait" and "Karigane Hojicha" at this particular cafe. The combination of the slightly bitter and rich matcha soft serve ice cream with the crisp and refreshing hojicha tea was exquisite! We were able to leisurely enjoy the serene outdoor scenery, feeling as if time had stood still.

While looking at the tea fields, I had a matcha parfait outside. It was a Saturday afternoon and not too crowded, so it was comfortable and satisfying. It cost 550 yen and they only accepted cash. The shiratama and red bean were delicious. The matcha ice cream was rich and I would like to try it in soft serve form as well.

After enjoying some soba noodles and tea at "Kasane," we went to "Yamajin" for some dessert. The parking lot was spacious, which was convenient. Inside, there were counter seats, table seats, and even terrace seats, creating a nice atmosphere. We sat at the clean counter seats and ordered hojicha (roasted green tea) jelly and matcha parfait. The staff was efficient and friendly, promptly bringing us water and warm towels. The hojicha jelly had a refined hojicha flavor with a subtle sweetness, very delicious. The matcha ice cream and red bean paste were also not too sweet, which I liked. There were other tempting desserts on the menu, so I would like to visit again. Thank you for the meal.

This time, I visited the restaurant to try their roasted green tea soft serve. I had missed out on a few opportunities due to temporary closures, so it had been a while since my last visit. The roasted green tea soft serve is made with Yamasan's roasted green tea, Jinsaburo, and it is incredibly delicious. After the soft serve, I enjoyed some sencha tea. There's no need for any comments when it comes to drinking tea in Wazuka. It's just delicious.

On the way back from Nara, I stopped by a tea house called "Wazuka Chaya Yamajin" that I had been curious about for a while. It's located in Kyoto Prefecture, in Wazuka Town. It's a traditional tea house with a Japanese atmosphere. I had been interested in their hard Baumkuchen, so I planned to stop by on my way back from Nara. As soon as I entered the shop, I ordered the plain hard Baumkuchen. It had a unique shape and was very delicious. I'm glad I bought this Baumkuchen. It was even better than I expected! ♥

I went to experience making tea soba noodles and tea picking at a tea plantation. While waiting for the tea picking experience to start, I explored the area and found a shop nearby. Inside the shop, there was a workshop where Baumkuchen cakes were being made and sold. There were four flavors available: plain, matcha, and two types of textures - soft and hard. I decided to buy the hard matcha flavor. The Baumkuchen was not too bitter from the tea and not overly sweet. Even though it was called hard, it was not too tough to bite into. It had a nice thickness and a satisfying chewiness. This Baumkuchen had a robustness to it.

Unfortunately, they didn't have new tea yet, but they had a new menu, so I decided to visit after a long time. The hojicha parfait had a strong hojicha flavor, just as I had hoped. Next time, I want to try the hojicha soft serve. I also bought a melon pan as a souvenir for my son. It was rich in matcha flavor, more like a sweet treat than bread. This bread is from a hidden bakery called "Kakurenbo-san," which is rarely seen. I also tried the new menu item, baumkuchen. There were soft and hard options, and I chose the hard one. It was indeed denser than regular baumkuchen, with a rich matcha flavor.

This place is probably run by a mother and her daughters, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, making it a popular spot for locals. But even for first-time visitors, it's a very friendly and nice place. The sweets are reasonably priced, which is great. The matcha Abekawa mochi caught my attention! Next time, I'll try that! This time, I had the classic matcha parfait for ¥550, while my companion had the Uji Kin toshi. It was a shaved ice dessert with condensed milk and matcha ice cream - a delicious treat. We also tried their recommended Baumkuchen skewer, which is made using the same machine as Club Harie. It was fluffy and a bit on the sweet side, but since it was just one skewer, it was enjoyable. The matcha parfait was a classic and generously topped with matcha ice cream and other goodies. It wasn't overloaded, which was just the right size. They even grind their own matcha using a stone mill, showing their dedication to homemade products. Next time, I'll definitely try the matcha Abekawa mochi! Thank you for the meal!

I have been recommended by my followers for a while, and I was curious about this cafe. It is located at the foot of the mountain and has a lovely lodge-like exterior. Matcha parfait for 550 yen. The matcha soft serve is refreshing yet has a strong matcha flavor. The slight sweetness of the cornflakes at the bottom complements it well. They use matcha ground in a stone mill in the store, and even kids who don't like matcha say "this is delicious," as the owner mentioned. I understand! There is no strange bitterness or aftertaste. The dango has a chewy and sticky texture with a grainy feel. It's the quintessential dango! I had it for the first time in a while. The one-sen tea set allows you to choose from 9 types of tea. I had the Karigane Houjicha for 350 yen. The cheerful staff taught me how to brew it. Pour hot water into the yunomi cup. Transfer it to the kyusu pot. Let it steep and wait. The staff will tell you the right timing, so pour it back into the yunomi cup from the kyusu. Enjoy the aroma of the tea leaves in the kyusu. Drink it. Ah, what a lovely fragrance. I couldn't help but sniff the tea leaves in the kyusu multiple times. The owner, known as the "stubborn mountain spirit," uses a secret technique to roast it. My husband had the Yamanjin sencha for 400 yen. They carefully explained the different water amounts and steeping times for each type of tea, which was enjoyable. You can see through the glass how they make Baumkuchen. They use the same machine as Club Harie, and it sells out quickly. I want to try it...

It's been a while since I visited Waso Town, so as a sweet tooth and matcha lover, I decided to replenish my matcha fix here. I arrived just before 3 pm on a weekday, and the inside of the shop was filled with the lively voices of elegant ladies. Wanting to avoid the hustle and bustle, I opted to enjoy my matcha parfait on the open terrace. It was a warm day, and being able to avoid crowded places made me feel at ease outside. Eating a parfait alone felt a bit embarrassing, but the small size and affordable price of 550 yen made it a good deal. The refreshing matcha ice cream was delicious, and the sweetness of the red bean paste and cream was just right. I especially enjoyed the smooth texture of the soft rice cake. I quickly finished the parfait and satisfied my sweet tooth. The open terrace had a lovely atmosphere, and I could feel the beauty of Waso Town's greenery and fresh air. Next time I visit this beautiful town, I would love to try their matcha soft serve or green tea. It was a simple and calming place that made me want to come back. Thank you for the meal!

Located in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, near Nara, in the mountains, is the town of Wazuka, known for being the main producer of Uji tea and also for its Wazuka tea. It is a part of the "Beautiful Villages of Japan Association" and is also recognized as a "Japan Heritage" site, with its serene landscape of mountains and tea fields. I have visited this place several times, and this time it was during the season for new tea. I moved from the cafe "dan dan cafe," which overlooks the tea fields of Ishidera, to this small lodge-style cafe called "Yamajin-en," which has been producing tea since the Taisho era. Inside, there were a few elderly women serving customers in a small space with a counter and one table. They were very kind and also had outdoor terrace and open-air deck seating. The menu included about 10 types of "one steep tea sets" priced between 250-400 yen. They also offered homemade Japanese sweets like matcha amber jelly, matcha soft serve, zenzai, matcha parfait, ranging from 300-450 yen, which is quite reasonable. They also served coffee, juice, and shaved ice (350 yen), and had a variety of Yamajin-en teas for sale. I ordered the 2019 new tea one steep tea set (tax included 400 yen), which came with a teapot, hot water, and tea utensils for self-service up to 3-4 steepings. The first steeping had a high-quality umami flavor, typical of fresh Wazuka tea leaves. I enjoyed the new tea while looking out at the tomb of Prince Yasumasa and the vast sky from the counter. Before leaving, I purchased a pack of "nonoka" one steep tea (350 yen). This was in early June, just before evening. Nearby, there is the landmark Lawson Wazuka Minami store and the central facility of Wazuka, the Wazuka Tea Cafe. The tourist information center is also within walking distance next to the post office. If you head north by car from here, you'll reach Uji-Tawara and Shigaraki in Shiga. In about 30 minutes south, you'll find famous shops like Regal and Muteppo Honten, Yoshizoan in front of Joruriji Temple, and Clover Farm in Kamo-cho. Wazuka town, closer to Nara than Kyoto, is a place to explore while casually stopping by this small and quaint cafe.

Located on the outskirts of a village surrounded by tea fields, this restaurant offers an open and spacious setting with a larger terrace area. I enjoyed a matcha soft serve ice cream for 400 yen with my Super Cub friends. The sweetness was subtle and delicious.

Located in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, near Nara, in the mountains, is a town called Wazuka, also known as the "tea homeland" since the Kamakura period. It is the main producer of Uji tea and its scenic tea fields have a unique charm that soothes the soul. I visited in early June, when the sky was clear. I stopped by a quaint Japanese café where you can enjoy handmade Japanese tea sweets from a tea factory called "Yamajin-en" that has been around since the Taisho era. The café has a simple and rustic atmosphere, with a menu offering nearly 10 different types of "one-serving tea sets" ranging from 250 to 350 yen. The handmade Japanese sweets are also reasonably priced, starting from 300 to 450 yen. I ordered the "Nokino" young leaf-picked sencha one-serving tea set for 350 yen. The first serving had a rich umami flavor typical of high-quality sencha. They provide hot water at the right temperature and you can enjoy up to three servings. I also ordered the Matcha Parfait for 450 yen, which had a good balance of quality Wazuka matcha, chewy shiratama (rice flour dumplings), red beans, and cream. The café has a small space with a counter and one table, and the staff, mostly middle-aged women, are friendly and welcoming. There is also an open-air deck where you can relax in a cozy and homey atmosphere. Nearby, you can find the Lawson convenience store, Wazuka Tea Café, d:matcha Kyoto CAFE&KITCHEN with a stunning view window, and the tourist information center, all within walking distance. If you continue north from Wazuka, you will reach Uji-Tawara and Shigaraki in Shiga, while a 30-minute drive south will take you to Kamo-cho, where you can find the bakery "Regal," the well-known "Muteppo," Yoshijoan in front of Joruriji Temple, and Clover Farm. This area where Kyoto and Nara intersect offers a unique cultural experience.

The tea paradise of Wazuka, known for its eighty-eight night harvest of new tea, becomes busy during this time. Along the road connecting Heijo-kyo and Kyo-nin-kyo with the Shikaraku Palace, surrounded by tea fields, lies the tomb of Prince Asaka, son of Emperor Shomu, who passed away at the age of 17. This area has a history of 800 years in Japanese tea, from the Uji tea brought by the 13th century priest Eisai from China, to the cultivation on mountain peaks for mass production in the 20th century. The unique and beautiful terraced tea fields of Ishidera are also registered as a Japanese heritage site. At Yamajin, a tea shop, another staff member mentioned that during the May holidays, they are holding helicopter tea field tours. Although I declined due to the road to Kyoto Miyama, a stroll through the tea fields from above may also be enjoyable. It was a hot day, so I decided to try the matcha soft serve. The soft serve, made by grinding tea leaves in a stone mill, had a smooth texture and a distinct tea aroma. It was a delicious treat.

Hello, this is Average (^_^). The 288th shaved ice review is for Yaman. The other day, I passed by the store on my way back from Yaman no Table and saw a "shaved ice" flag outside. Since I had a really delicious matcha soft serve here before, I thought the matcha shaved ice must be delicious too, so I decided to stop by. The shaved ice menu includes strawberry, mizore, lemon (each 200 yen), matcha (300 yen), and matcha sweet potato (450 yen). Toppings include sweet potato (50 yen) and condensed milk (50 yen). It's interesting that getting matcha shaved ice with sweet potato topping is cheaper than ordering matcha sweet potato shaved ice. I decided to order the matcha shaved ice since I enjoyed the matcha soft serve last time. Food (⭐︎3.4) - Matcha Shaved Ice: The ice was a bit crunchy and not very fluffy, with a traditional cold texture. The green tea syrup was a bit sugary and didn't dissolve completely, giving it a slightly gritty texture. The homemade matcha flavor was good, but overall, the shaved ice was just okay. I still recommend their matcha soft serve. Service (⭐︎3.6) - The service was polite. Atmosphere (⭐︎3.8) - Surrounded by lush green mountains and tea fields, the store has a nice terrace with a wood deck where you can feel the breeze on sunny days. On rainy days, there are seats inside where you can enjoy your soft serve. Cost Performance (⭐︎3.6) - The shaved ice is cheap, but considering the portion size, it's reasonable. Overall, while there are not many reviews in Wasuka, there are many hidden cafes in the area that use delicious Uji tea. This place is one of them, and while the matcha soft serve was delicious, I think it's also worth coming here in cold weather to enjoy a warm cup of tea. From here, I will share my shaved ice stories in Kansai in September 2017. Stay tuned for more shaved ice information in Kansai!

Hello, this is Average (^^). Blessed with great weather in June and a sunny weekend, and with it being the season for new tea, I decided to take a drive to Wazuka, famous for its Uji tea production =͟͟͞͞⊂(⊂ 'ω'). During a break, I stopped by a place called "Wazuka Chaya Yamajin". They had various tea menu items, but due to the heat, I opted for the "Matcha Soft Serve (350 yen)". Food (⭐︎3.8) - Matcha Soft Serve: The soft serve had a light tea flavor that was easy to eat, with a refreshing taste and a hint of bitterness from the matcha. It wasn't as intense as other matcha soft serves, focusing more on the deliciousness of the tea. It was a very tasty and easy-to-eat matcha soft serve. Service (⭐︎3.8): The service was polite and attentive. Despite only ordering the soft serve, they offered me cold water and a wet towel, which was a nice touch. Atmosphere (⭐︎3.8): Surrounded by lush green mountains and vast tea fields, the location had a nice ambiance. On sunny days, the breezy wooden deck terrace seating was pleasant, and on rainy days, there were indoor seats available to enjoy the soft serve. Cost Performance (⭐︎3.4): The matcha soft serve may be slightly on the expensive side for a soft serve, but considering the quality tea used, it might actually be a good deal. Overall, Wazuka has many hidden gem cafes that serve delicious Uji tea, and "Wazuka Chaya Yamajin" is one of them. The matcha soft serve was delicious, and I would recommend visiting for warm tea during colder seasons as well. This was Average's review of shaved ice for September 2017 in Kansai. Stay tuned for more shaved ice information!

In the mountainous area of southern Kyoto Prefecture lies the town of Wazuka, known for its tea production since the Kamakura period. It is considered the birthplace of tea in Japan and has been designated as a "Beautiful Village of Japan" and a "Japan Heritage" site by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Wazuka may not be a popular tourist destination, but its tranquil scenery and nostalgic atmosphere are truly heartwarming. I visited a quaint lodge-style cafe called "Yamajin-en," a tea factory that has been operating since the Taisho era. They offer a variety of high-quality handmade tea sweets at very reasonable prices, with a menu consisting of drinks and traditional Japanese sweets. I opted for the "New Tea" set, which includes a tasting of 10 different teas for only 300 yen. The new tea had a deep flavor profile with a rich umami taste, showcasing the power of Wazuka's fresh tea leaves. The cafe has a cozy atmosphere with a small counter and a single table, as well as outdoor seating options. Nearby, you can find landmarks like Lawson and the Wazuka Tea Cafe, as well as a newly opened tourist information center. Before leaving, I purchased a premium roasted green tea to enjoy the taste of Wazuka's tea at home. Overall, it was a delightful experience savoring the new tea from Yamajin-en in Wazuka during the tranquil month of May. I highly recommend trying their delicious matcha soft serve and roasted tea jelly with matcha ice cream. Don't miss out on this hidden gem! Also, keep an eye out for their appearance on the Kansai local TV show "Osaka Honwaka TV" on June 9th or 11th.

In the southern area of Kyoto Prefecture lies a mountainous tea-producing region north of the Kizu River. While lacking the touristy glamour of Kyoto city, the minimalistic beauty of the tea fields in Wazuka Town is soothing. The main stream of Uji tea, known as Wazuka tea, offers a sense of tranquility. In Wazuka Town, there is a lodge cafe operated by a tea factory that has been around for over 100 years called "Sanjin-en". The cafe features top-quality Wazuka tea from Sanjin-en and delicious matcha sweets. They offer a variety of tea sets for 150-300 yen, as well as homemade sweets ranging from 300-450 yen. The cafe is run by the manager and a few female staff members. The new tea they served had a wonderful depth, especially the first steeping which was rich and flavorful. The cafe is smoke-free with a few counter seats and several tables. There are also deck and terrace seats outside for a relaxing atmosphere. The prices for drinks and sweets are very reasonable, making it a great place to enjoy Wazuka tea and matcha sweets. It is a hidden gem where you can experience the charm of Wazuka tea.