Japan’s traditional gem and massive tourist draw Kyoto has green tea treats on every corner.

But for something a bit less touristy and a bit more stylish, Iyemon Salon has reinterpreted the traditional tea house’s architectural characteristics for the modern day. The restaurant's noble mission is to bring the rich tea culture of Japanese history into a more casual and contemporary environment and convert us all to a lifestyle built around tea. The result is an ultra-sleek cafe lounge.

The relaxed, warm atmosphere is perfect for a date or a relaxing evening meal after sightseeing. Apart from the sophisticated interior, there is also a garden to add to the ambiance, and an outside seating area at the front of the restaurant where you can indulge in people watching.

Iyemon is a well known brand, not seen as particularly high class, their bottles of cold tea can be easily found in convenience stores and vending machines.

However, at Iyemon Salon their commitment to serving up only the finest green tea shines through the range of high quality beverages they serve. They have a wide selection of Japanese teas and each one is handily labelled with a scale for ‘sweetness’ and ‘astringency’. They also have original tea sodas and lattes.

Matcha meets alcohol in their range of ‘cha cocktails’ (cha is the Japanese word for tea) and you can even sample matcha beer.

Iyemon Salon also continue their cult of tea with their gift shop on the way out, which include books on Japanese culture, tea flasks and of course actual tea, so the initiated can recreate the moment of calm in their own home.

If you're in Kyoto and want to get a taste for contemporary tea culture, Iyemon Salon is definitely worth a visit.