Visited the restaurant with my wife during the children's school festival lunch break. We arrived at 10:40 and checked in on the first floor. We were the 16th in line but were seated after the first round. It seemed like they started seating the second round around the 18th person. The current lunch menu featured dishes with chestnuts, ginkgo nuts, and mushrooms, reflecting the autumn season. The chestnuts were crispy and delicious with their skins still on. The scallion miso served on the side was also tasty, with a hint of sansho pepper that enhanced the flavors of the ingredients. The Japanese dishes and soup were mild and comforting. For dessert, instead of the usual freshly baked mooncake, we tried a new seasonal sweet called "Autumn Path," made with chestnuts and white bean paste. My wife also enjoyed a chestnut shaved ice after the meal, which was a sophisticated treat with a rich chestnut paste at the bottom. The restaurant was fully booked but quiet, with a beautiful view. The staff were attentive and we had a relaxing time. We will definitely visit again.

Arrived before the opening time of 11:00 am on a regular Wednesday, but already the 4th group in line. The staff mentioned that it was quite empty for a weekday. (I remember waiting for about an hour when I visited on a weekend at 3:30 pm during the pandemic, so it must be even more crowded now...) There are ticket machines on the 1st and 3rd floors, both can be used. We had lunch and sweets. There are two lunch options, a chirashi sushi set and udon, with choices of regular or small size for the udon. I ordered the regular size udon. It might be just the right amount for women. The udon changes with the season, and when we visited, it was winter melon udon. I had only tried their wagashi before, but the udon was served in a gentle ginger-flavored dashi broth, with thin noodles. Softly simmered winter melon, thinly sliced lotus root topped with a yuzu jam-like condiment, enhancing the flavor. The broth was rich but refined and elegant, making it light and enjoyable. After that, we had the freshly baked Nokotsuki dorayaki with matcha tea set, and added the wagashi with chestnut. The Nokotsuki dorayaki looked like a dorayaki on the outside, slightly crispy with a sweet skin and not overly sweet red bean filling inside, it was delicious. And of course, the chestnut wagashi was also delightful. A chestnut paste filling wrapped in mochi, with a smooth and well-balanced chestnut flavor, it was a delicious piece that captured the essence of autumn without being too sweet. Having wagashi with tea is the best combination. But I thought it would have been even better with matcha tea, haha. The total bill was around 4,000 yen. It's a place where you can enjoy a luxurious moment rather than focusing on cost performance. Although not listed on the menu, you can order additional items separately when adding them to a set! I recommend adding more items to make the most of your visit. The limited-time menu changes seasonally, with different wagashi every week, every two weeks, or every month, so it seems like you would have to visit every week to try them all. If you missed out on the shaved ice (only Uji matcha flavor), make sure to try it!

Around 2 pm on a weekday, I waited for about 5 minutes before being seated. I can imagine there would be long lines on weekends, as there were plenty of chairs lined up on the second and third floors. I was impressed from the entrance. The beautiful foyer and the staircase leading to the right. I was captivated by the chic architecture that used a lot of wood. The first floor is the reception, the second floor is for merchandise, and the third floor is the cafe. There is an elevator, but I definitely wanted to climb the stairs. The Tiger Yoko world is full of high sense. However, the atmosphere is not bad, it's a perfect balance. It was a hot day, so I had matcha red bean shaved ice with condensed milk and shiratama. It seemed like most people were ordering matcha shaved ice. A large shaved ice was brought out, creating high expectations. The matcha syrup was rich. The ice was refreshing. And there were plenty of red beans at the bottom of the bowl. It was a luxurious shaved ice. Everything was an extraordinary experience. I would like to visit the gallery in the basement someday.

It was a very delicious lunch that made me feel the autumn season. The atmosphere of the restaurant and the customer service were impeccable. I could feel the attention to detail in the roasting of the chestnuts in the chestnut rice. The green onion miso sauce served with the mushrooms was so delicious that I wish they sold it. The dessert, freshly baked mooncake, was also delicious.

Around 4:00 PM, I arrived at the restaurant and had to wait for about 30 minutes, so I passed the time by looking at the exhibition space in the basement while waiting for my turn. Since it was late, most of the fresh sweets were sold out (I really wanted to try the chestnut ones). Anyway, it was still hot, so I ordered a small Uji matcha. While waiting surrounded by the wonderful architecture of Mr. Hiroshi Naito, a beautiful green mountain arrived! When I took a bite, it was sweet and delicious. It smoothly spread through my body. As I continued to eat the crunchy texture, I found red beans at the bottom! The plumply cooked red beans were soft, sweet, and irresistible. When it gets colder, maybe I'll try the sweet red bean soup. The seating is limited to 60 minutes, but it's a calm space that completely refreshes you.

Halfway between Hibiya and Nakameguro, I suddenly felt like having tea and that's when I stumbled upon Toraya Karyo Akasaka store. What's great about this place is that they have a proper parking lot, typical of Toraya. From the first floor with parking, you take the elevator up to the third floor where the Karyo is located. The atmosphere inside is fantastic, with a warm wooden interior. We were promptly seated and everyone had a smile on their face as they checked the menu. I ordered the limited edition Zangyoku (with coarse sweet bean paste) with matcha glace, which was delicious. I also got some sweet bean paste from the shop on the second floor. One of my companions had the chilled shiratama azuki, which not only looked great but was also delicious. It was a unanimous decision that Toraya did not disappoint, and we all left feeling very satisfied. Our energy levels were replenished as we headed to Osaka by car.

I didn't have time to eat shaved ice in Osaka, so I came here after returning to Tokyo. First, I had a seasonal meal. The quality of the ingredients was good and everything was delicious. After the meal, I had a regular size Uji Kinmotsu. Despite it being a weekday, the restaurant was almost full. I also saw foreign tourists, so it's a popular place.

It was past 3 PM on a weekday in September, but the heat continued. The restaurant was full, so I received a number tag and waited for about 10 minutes before being seated. The atmosphere of the restaurant has improved significantly since the renovation, with a more open and pleasant feel. I always order shaved ice when I come here, and this time I chose between Uji Kanetoki (with red bean paste) or Uji Mizore (with white bean paste), both priced at 1,650 yen each. I was intrigued by the white bean paste, so I opted for Uji Mizore and added a white rice ball for an extra 66 yen. My companion ordered Anmitsu for 2,860 yen, which came with black bean paste. When the shaved ice arrived, the Uji Mizore (with white bean paste) looked stunning with its vivid green matcha color. The aroma of the matcha was amazing! The shaved ice here is considered the standard of shaved ice by my friend. It is finely shaved, smooth, and melts in your mouth perfectly. The white bean paste at the bottom of the bowl was light and delicate, complementing the matcha shaved ice beautifully. I also tried a bit of the black bean paste from the Anmitsu, which had a stronger flavor profile. The white bean paste was indeed elegant and refined. Unfortunately, the white rice ball I added had become hard from the ice. Perhaps adding it to the Anmitsu would have enhanced its flavor. I look forward to seeing what kind of shaved ice they will offer next year. It's worth noting that this popular restaurant has a 60-minute time limit from when you receive your order, so if you want to chat with friends, keep that in mind.

After lunch in Nagatacho, I decided to stroll over to Toraya Salon in Akasaka. The walk helped cool off my slightly overheated body, and the rich Uji Kinjyo Ice with matcha was absolutely delightful in both appearance and taste. Adding the shiratama topping was definitely the right choice. The tranquil and calming atmosphere of the tea salon seems perfect for some quality alone time.

I visited around 2pm on a weekday. I waited for about 10 minutes before being able to enter. The shop, designed by Hiroshi Naito, has a warm wooden interior and exterior. The spacious interior spans from the basement to the 4th floor, allowing for a relaxed time in the city. I ordered the Chisen no Kaze (specialty yokan) and matcha glacé set. The yokan with tiger pattern reminiscent of "Toraya" had a refined taste without being too sweet, and the matcha had a proper bitterness, making it very delicious.

It's hot today! I decided to have some shaved ice, so I went to Toraya Karyo and ordered a Uji Kin Toki in a small size with 5 white dumplings on top. (White dumplings are a must-have.) The chewy texture of the dumplings and the red bean paste hidden beneath the shaved ice is the perfect combination. I also tried the elegant sweetness of the Toragara Senri no Kaze and the limited edition Kirifudo. The atmosphere of the restaurant is spacious and pleasant, so I would like to visit again in a different season.

All flavors are consistently delicious, and I love that you can choose the size and toppings. The downside is that it's always crowded and far from the station if you're using the train. The building of the Akasaka store is artistic, so I highly recommend it to friends visiting from overseas.

2023 Kakigori #7 at Toraya for the second time, I tried the Apricot Shaved Ice. It was another stunning shaved ice experience. While waiting, you can see the manufacturing process, and that's where they were making "Zangetsu" - a shaved ice with a ginger aroma, topped with red bean paste. I really liked it as a fan of Toraya's sweets.

On a hot Sunday afternoon, in search of some relief from the heat, we decided to go out for some delicious shaved ice and Japanese sweets at Toraya in Akasaka. One thing I love about Toraya is that despite being right in the heart of the city, the parking lot is spacious and easy to find a spot, with a hotel-like atmosphere and security guards on duty. Surprisingly, there was no line when we arrived. We got a ticket and headed to the second floor where we could browse through the sweets while waiting for our turn. The tablet on the second floor showed the current waiting time for the tea room on the third floor, so we could relax and shop at our own pace. After about 20 minutes, it was our turn and we were seated by the window overlooking the greenery outside. We ordered shaved ice with Uji matcha, condensed milk, and white dumplings, chilled red bean soup with smooth bean paste, and a limited edition Toraya sweet called "Senri no Kaze." The red bean paste at Toraya is surprisingly mild and delicious, with no overpowering bean smell. Even the sweet bean paste, which I usually don't enjoy, was tasty. After indulging in the sweet treats, I felt like having something salty. If you're looking to enjoy some Japanese sweets and tea in a relaxed setting, I highly recommend this place.

I visited around 1 pm on a weekday and had to wait for 50 minutes. There were galleries and a shop inside the building, so I didn't get bored while waiting. I ordered udon and shaved ice, and they were delicious. The staff were polite and made the atmosphere comfortable.

2023 Cold Noodle Journey #24 Toraya Salon "Seasonal Udon" for 1,700 yen This is what cold noodles should be! With bitter melon, eggplant, myoga, and "the condiments are mixed with sesame oil and shiso," along with udon, broth, toppings, palate cleanser, and a view to enjoy. It's a must to visit Toraya in the summer while gazing at the lightning over Akasaka Palace. #2023ColdNoodleJourney #ColdNoodleJourney #TorayaSalonAkasakaMainStore #SeasonalUdon #AkasakaPalace

I was able to enter without much waiting as I had reserved a ticket and waited in the car before the store opened. We go every summer to eat shaved ice. The ice with apricot flavor was delicious. The store was cool so we were moved to the terrace seats, and eating in the heat made it even more delicious. Of course, the Uji sweet potato flavor was amazing. It was truly delicious even when it melted.

Uji Kinji (small) 1,100 yen / Milk 165 yen / Shiratama 66 yen (1 piece) In the sophisticated atmosphere of Akasaka, you can relax and cool down your body in a quiet environment. The shaved ice served with moist and flavorful red bean paste under the crunchy ice is exquisite.

Toraya Karyo Akasaka store shaved ice, Uji Kinjotsumame kiri (sweet potato) with matcha set was delicious as always. After enjoying Japanese cuisine, I felt a little hungry and decided to treat myself to a moment of relaxation. I could feel the greenery of Akasaka Palace spreading out in front of me.

I used it as a meal. I visited the restaurant, received a numbered ticket, and waited for my turn. The exterior and interior of the building are both designed with a lot of wood, creating a very calming atmosphere. The second floor is a souvenir corner where I spent my waiting time. I ordered seasonal dishes, all of which had a gentle flavor. Lastly, I had the freshly baked Udon with bitter melon and eggplant, which was made with thin noodles.