Kyoto is a city that has nurtured the tea culture for over a thousand years. The tea ceremony, in which guests are invited and people connect with each other through tea, spread and took root as part of the city's culture.

If you walk through a quiet residential area to the east of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, you will come across Touka, a teahouse renovated from a historic Japanese house.

This is a place where you can enjoy an exceptional cup of tea made with carefully selected organic tea leaves and Kyoto's famous water drawn from the premises. You can enjoy the changing flavor with each brew, and pair it with tea snacks.

The building was once the residence of the Daizenshiki (master chef), who prepared meals for the Imperial family. Founder Fumie Okumura, who happened to open a gallery in this location, was drawn to the historic building's appearance and came up with the idea of creating a tea room.

Okumura, who also works as a food director, has worked on numerous food projects across the country, and as a result, he began to feel that he wanted customers to be able to enjoy the tea they drink every day with the right utensils, and that he wanted people to know just how wonderful a drink tea is, so he created "Touka" in 2015.

As you step inside the building, you will see a quiet tea room on your left. The dimly lit room, with only six seats, is bathed in soft light from the windows facing the small garden, creating a calming atmosphere.

Enjoy Japanese tea made with rare, naturally occurring tea leaves

Touka offers the Hakudo Course, which allows you to enjoy two types of Japanese tea and tea snacks. This course allows you to spend time carefully absorbing tea through the changing flavors with each infusion and the delicate pairing with tea snacks.

"Please use your five senses to listen to the aroma of the tea leaves and choose your tea."
So says Senmu Kosaka Yu. "Senmu" is a term unique to Touka and refers to the person who pours the tea.

Touka only uses organic tea leaves, which are rare in Japan, and uses carefully selected tea leaves grown in the Wazuka district of Kyoto, Shiga, Miyazaki, and other areas.
"We want to support farmers who grow natural products. And we hope that in the future organic products will be easily available at supermarkets and convenience stores," says Takasaka.

A taste born from the dialogue between tea and brewing

One of the tea leaves we chose is a native variety grown in the Wazuka district of Kyoto, which releases sweetness and flavor when brewed at a low temperature of 40 degrees. When poured over hot water at a higher temperature, the aroma develops into a more powerful one, allowing us to experience a different flavor.

The process of brewing tea is efficient and reflects a deep appreciation for the tea leaves. As the taste changes depending on the season and the condition of the water, he tastes the tea daily to find the best way to brew it.

"Through repetition, your sense will develop and you will be able to brew delicious tea," says Takasaka.
The way he pours a cup of tea for his customers, using not only his hands but all of his senses, is like a conductor harmonizing the entire space. By focusing on this simple act, his posture and mind gradually change, leading to self-discovery - tea can bring about such realizations.

Tea sweets that enhance the charm of Japanese tea

The tea sweets complement the differences in flavor and aroma of the two types of Japanese tea you can choose from. The tea sweets change with the seasons, and on this day we were able to choose two from vegan tarte tatin and organic cacao, fresh morning sweets made by Kyoto artisans, and additive-free pickles made with Kyoto vegetables.

As you enjoy the combination of tea and sweets in a quiet space, while thinking about the handiwork of the producers and artisans, the flavors of each ingredient will emerge more clearly and you will be able to feel the changes in taste with each sip.

Lighting up the world with a cup of tea

At Touka, where you can enjoy such carefully selected Japanese tea and tea sweets, you can also purchase one-of-a-kind tea utensils that have been individually handcrafted by artisans. "I believe that just having your favorite utensils will broaden your world of tea," says Kosaka.

Tea utensils are ideal for enjoying tea more deliciously, and the longer you use them, the more flavor they will develop, so even when using the same utensils, you will discover new things.

When asked what he values when serving Japanese tea, Takasaka said, "Every day, I have unexpected encounters and discoveries. Because there is tea between our customers, and between us and our customers, an atmosphere of 'opening our hearts and getting to know each other' is created, even if we have just met. I believe that such a positive attitude leads to peace, and we are standing at the doorstep to expanding that circle."

"A cup of tea lights up the world."

The combination of carefully selected tea leaves, tea brewing, and a quiet space creates a blissful moment. The cup of tea delivered by Touka will surely be etched in the memories of all who visit.

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冬夏
電話：075-254-7533
住所：京都府京都市上京区信富町298
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