Stunning Mountain-Shaped Cakes At The New Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique In Tokyo, Japan
Shibuya is arguably the spot that's on everyone's itinerary when travelling to Tokyo, Japan. It's home to all kinds of attractions from the iconic Shibuya Crossing and Meiji Jingu to shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. And among all the dining options in Shibuya, one stands out as particularly bucket list-worthy - Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique.
This new cafe just opened its doors this January and already has Instagrammers flocking to it for their opulent interiors and stunning cakes that look like miniature versions of Mt. Fuji and other famous mountains in Japan.
P.S. check out the new Ghibli Park in Japan, a nature attraction with themed sections inspired by Studio Ghibli films like Spirited Away.
Mountain-Shaped Cakes At Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Shorakuen's specialty is Yamagashi, edible miniature mountains! These palm-sized desserts depict some of Japan's most beautiful mountains with incredible realism and detail. The cake moulds are designed based on actual topographical data, and even the ganache, fruits and biscuits inside are intentionally layered to resemble stratum.
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
There are seven Yamagashi on the menu, each designed as a different mountain made with carefully selected local ingredients to create flavours that reflect the mountain and the season it's in.
The Mt. Yufu Yamagashi is a Azuki bean and chocolate cake with a blanket of "autumn foliage" made of cinnamon, black tea ganache, yuzu, ginger and clove.
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
If you're a matcha lover, the Mt. Omuro Yamagashi will be right up your alley. This cake looks like mountain in late spring, where new greenery starts covering the mountain surface. It has green tea and salted cherry ganache, matcha chocolate and a crispy biscuit base.
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Aesthetic wise, the Mt. Rishiri Yamagashi takes the cake (pun intended). This snowy mountain also has one of the more unique flavour profiles, with rum-flavoured raisins, white chocolate ganache, walnuts, dark chocolate, sea salt, Azuki bean and chocolate cake, milk chocolate and biscuits.
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
These mountain-shaped cakes are packaged in luxurious boxes with illustrations of nature inside, creating a diorama-like presentation.
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
As expected, Shorakuen's extravagant art sculpture-like cakes come with fitting price tags. Each of the Yamagashi on the main menu will set you back JPY 3520 (~SGD 35.10) and the larger, special edition Mt. Fuji Yamagashi will cost you JPY 4950 (~SGD 49.35).
There are also bon bon versions of the mountains with flavours like passion fruit and lemon (JPY 1540 for 2, ~SGD 15.35).
Drinks & Snacks At Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Shorakuen also prides itself in their Tea (JPY 1,540 - 1,760, ~SGD 15.35 - 17.55) made with premium tea leaves from Taiwan. As the tea leaves open gradually, diners can enjoy its evolving flavour and colour.
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Those who can't go without coffee can get their caffeine fix here with Lattes (JPY 850, ~SGD 8.47) and Espressos (JPY 550, ~SGD 5.48).
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
If you fancy a little keepsake to remember your dining experience at Shorakuen, bring home an Okoshi Tin (JYP ~ SGD 9.27) filled with highly addictive, crispy snacks. Each tin comes in different flavours and has an assortment of caramelised nuts, sweet natto and konpeitō.
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Ambience At Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
The cafe is designed to make the diners feel like they're not in Japan but in some whimsical fairy tale land. Step in and you'll be enveloped in vivid pinks and extravagant design elements from the murals and wallpaper to the tiled ceilings.
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
The overall aesthetic reminds us of Moroccan-style interior design like at La Fez cafe and Bacha Cafe.
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Photo from Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Shorakuen Tea Salon & Boutique
Address: 10-9 Motoyoyogi-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0062 (5-min walk from Yoyogi Uehara Station / Yoyogi Hachiman Station)
Opening hours: 12 - 7pm
Closed on Tuesdays & holidays
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Reservations: shorakuen.com
Places in Singapore with similar vibes:
- The Serangoon House: New Hotel with stunning colonial architecture & design
- Shikar: Indian restaurant with regal interiors including hand-painted murals
- Isabel Bar: Princess-worthy aesthetic, LV Trunk Decor, Pink Onyx Counter
