Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique opened its doors to the public on January 21st, 2023 in the Yoyogi-Uehara neighborhood of Tokyo's Shibuya Ward. It offers a unique selection of sweets and beverages with a mix of Japanese and Western influences. The store is inspired by the concept of a "souvenir shop in Shangri-La” and features an exotic interior design that combines elements of Japanese fairy tales with exotic foreign locales. The store is managed by creative studio KLOKA, which has gained popularity for its mysterious worldview and quality products.

Signature Products

Shorakuen's signature product line is 山菓子 "Yamagashi," a palm-sized chocolate confectionery that depicts the ridgelines of some of Japan's most beautiful mountains such as Mt. Sakurajima, Mt. Rishiri, Mt. Yufudake, and Mt. Omuro. They take on the appearance of a diorama when presented in their "miniature garden" boxes.

The molds for these confections are made based on actual topographical data, and when cut in half, the layers of ganache, sponge, fruits, and nuts resemble geological formations. Each mountain is accompanied by carefully selected local specialties to express the flavors and seasons associated with that mountain.

The store also offers 雛山 "Hinayama," which are smaller versions of Yamagashi. Their design is inspired by Japanese hina ningyo doll displays. These unique sweets have previously only been available in pop-up shops, but will now be available in the store permanently.

New Mt. Fuji Yamagashi

To commemorate the grand opening of the store, KLOKA is launching a new version of their Yamagashi based on Mt. Fuji. This new release will be larger in size than before and will be presented in a specially designed box to celebrate the new store's opening.

Okoshi Tins

Shorakuen also offers "Okoshi," a sweet and salty crunchy rice crisp treat with an addictive taste. These treats are carefully crafted piece by piece in Shorakuen’s kitchen and include flavors such as yuzu pepper, plum, cinnamon, and green tea. They are available for take-out only and are sold in a 110g tin.

Tea Salon

The store also features a small tea salon where visitors can enjoy a variety of unique drinks. Offerings include special Taiwanese tea, two types of original hot chocolate, and chai with many Japanese spices. In addition to these, a variety of drinks such as coffee and whiskey are also available to pair with the Yamagashi.

Interior Design

The interior of the Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique is inspired by the image of a "souvenir shop in a fairyland," with a blend of Japanese and Western motifs scattered with European ornaments, creating a somewhat exotic atmosphere, like something out of an old fairy tale. The tableware looks as if it were a gift that arrived in Japan from the Silk Road to the Far East, and the store dares to use a mix of eras, countries and cultures. Visitors may even catch a glimpse of Shorakuen's karakuri mechanical doll appearing from time to time to entertain them. The tea salon, located next to the store, offers an additional 9 seats for visitors to enjoy the sweets and drinks in a luxurious setting that resembles a heavenly hideaway.

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Store Information

• Name: SHORAKUEN TEA SALON & BOUTIQUE (小楽園 TEA SALON & BOUTIQUE)
• Business hours: 12:00~19:00
• Closed: Tuesday
• Address: 10-9 Motoyoyogi-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0062 (〒151-0062 東京都渋谷区元代々木町10-9)
• Access: A 4-minute walk from the North Exit of the Odakyu Odawara Line Yoyogi-Hachiman Station, a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Yoyogi-Koen Station, and a 5-minute walk from the East Exit of the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and Odakyu Odawara Line Yoyogi-Uehara station.
• Seats: 9 seats
• Price range: 550 JPY to 5,000 JPY
• Website
• Social media: Twitter, Instagram