Kaminari Issa Matcha Experience Shop 雷一茶 お抹茶体験店 (Tokyo, JAPAN) ★★★☆☆

After a quick tour of Sensō-ji (浅草寺), we all agreed that it was time to sit down for some matcha desserts. But we soon realized that there were long queues waiting in front of all the matcha cafés nearby. Thankfully, we did have a Plan B – Kaminari Issa Matcha Experience Shop (雷一茶 お抹茶体験店).

Kaminari Issa (雷一茶) is a household name when it comes to matcha desserts in Asakusa. They have many branches in Asakusa alone and this gift shop is located just around the corner behind the Five-Storied Pagoda (浅草寺 五重塔).

When we arrived, the place was already swamped with tourists.

Their management was wise to add a take-away counter inside the gift shop offering some of Kaminari Issa's most popular beverages and desserts.

After a 15-minute wait, it was my turn at last.

My thirst-quenching matcha drink and dessert. Couldn't wait to get my hands on these.

Special matcha latte (with 6g of matcha) – Their matcha latte came with 3 different degrees of richness (4 grams, 6 grams and 8 grams). I had the one with medium richness.

This was less bitter and sweet than I first anticipated.  

Special matcha warabi mochi rice – This did a much better job of quenching my thirst. The matcha soft serve was served on top of some matcha jelly, puff rice, rich matcha ganache and warabi mochi. Not bad.

We have just one more attraction left in Sumida Park (隅田公園) before we go our separate ways. Jelloman and little nugget will visit the Skytree (for the Pokemon center) followed by dinner at Pokemon Cafe; and for me and mom, we are heading back for our hotel for a short rest, before our dinner at Michelin-starred L'ARGENT (ラルジャン) tonight.

Food Rating: 5/10

Price: ￥￥￥

Address: 2-7-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

Closest Metro Station: Asakusa

Tel: +81 3-5811-1948

Website: www.kaminari-issa.com

Opening Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm (Mon), 10:00am - 6:00pm (Tue - Sun)