Ginza is a district in the heart of Tokyo famed for its extravagant streets lined with upmarket shops, luscious restaurants and fantastic entertainment. But it’s not only worthy of note for its flamboyance – it’s also rooted in rich culture and history.
Today, I visited Ginza West, a café that has been continuously loved in Ginza ever since it opened in 1947.
Before entering I saw lots of delicious confections lined up on display. You can order takeout too. Your mind will wander off as you ponder on which to take away for snack time.
The entire café is clean and tidy throughout and you can feel the decor has grace. It’s different from other cafés in that it has a dignified atmosphere to it. It has an air of tension to it, the kind that makes you straighten up your back. It’s a place that’s nice if someone wants to enjoy a luxurious experience once in a while.
I ordered cake and tea set! The tea cost ¥1,048. A cake set is the price of the drink plus ¥324.
You can actually have them bring you samples of cakes being served on that day. There’s so many cake varieties it’s hard to choose.
The most popular is this one – the Mosaic Cake!
Its appearance is cute. I ended up wanting to take a lot of photos.
The Mosaic Cake is made of cocoa sponge and butter sponge which is arranged to look like a mosaic piece. You can really taste the different flavours of each sponge. It’s only moderately sweet so it’s not too heavy. I wolfed it down!
And then, and then!
I got the white cream soda which I’d been wanting to try. It cost ¥1,188.
When you think of cream soda it’s generally green coloured melon soda with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top. But this one uses no colouring. The soda is clear and also served with vanilla ice cream. Try drinking it yourself after adding a syrup of your choice.
It looks like a very elegant beverage.
In terms of taste, if you eat the vanilla ice cream after drinking some of the soda (which is subtly sweet) it makes for an exquisite balance. It’s a flavour I’ve never had before – it’s a novel sensation.
Delicious.
The chairs in the café have something about them too! They feel extremely comfortable, I felt exhausted. The staff kindly told me the secret behind them.
The back legs of the chairs are a little wider than the ones at the front allowing you to lean back much easier and making it feel much more comfortable. The chair legs are also cut to a certain length to allow easier sitting.
So that’s why. That’s why I felt so relaxed simply sitting on them. I felt I could be sat there no matter the hour.
t’s a kind of consideration you’d only find at a café. Hearing about those chairs made me think that cafes really are such wonderful places. The more you learn about them, the more you come to love their charms.
I wonder where I’ll visit next? Look forward to it!
Information
Ginza West
Address: 7-3-6 Ginza, Chuo Ward, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3571-1554
Opening Hours: Weekdays 9:00-22:00 (Stand Open Until 23:00) / Weekends 11:00-20:00
No Fixed Holidays.
Access: 5-minutes on foot from exit C2 of Ginza Station via Tokyo Metro Line / 10-minutes on foot from Yurakucho Station via JR Line
*347m from Ginza Station
Website: http://www.ginza-west.co.jp/
Writer: Ema Tanioku
Photographer: Haruka Yamamoto
Editor: Ai Watanabe
Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga
TALENT PROFILE
Ema Tanioku
“Emaeri” is the nickname for models Ema and Eri Tanioku, who are Aomoji fashion model twins. Ema and Eri Tanioku specialise in twin fashion coordination. Over the years their fanbase has increased due to their cute looks. Ema Tanioku spreads Harajuku culture within Japan as well as overseas and works as a Harajuku Tourism Ambassador. Starting off as a model, Ema has broadened her talent range from fashion magazines to TV, and from playing the lead role in dramas to movies.
RECOMMENDED ENTRIES
-
Tokyo Stroll: The Café That You Want to Visit to See Someone #7 – Garden Café & Bar ‘Urara’ in Daikanyama
FEATURES ・ 15.August.2018
-
Tokyo Stroll: The Café That You Want to Visit to See Someone #6 – ‘Angelus’ in Asakusa Loved by Osamu Tezuka
FEATURES ・ 13.June.2018
-
【Tokyo Stroll】The cafe that you want to visit to see someone #5: “café Benisica” – The Birthplace of Pizza Toast
FEATURES ・ 21.February.2018
-
【Tokyo Stroll】 The café that you want to visit to see someone #4 Cats working at Shinjuku-sanchome’s Café Arles
FEATURES ・ 21.December.2017
-
【Tokyo Stroll】The cafe you that you want to visit to see someone #3 “Galant” —a retro café in Ueno
FEATURES ・ 15.November.2017
-
【Tokyo Stroll】The cafe that you want to visit to see someone #2 “Nanatsumori”—An Attractive Cafe in Kōenji
FEATURES ・ 26.July.2017
RELATED ENTRIES
-
Tokyo Stroll: An izakaya date with Yutaro at Sai in Shibuya
FEATURES ・ 22.February.2019
-
Japanese Washi Paper & Tape Event Arriving at Matsuya Ginza
FASHION ・ 20.February.2019
-
Experience a quality nap at the Nescafé sleep cafe in Tokyo!
FOOD ・ 19.February.2019
-
GINZA SIX Receives Ginormous Art Installation by Chiharu Shiota
SPOT ・ 15.February.2019
-
7 Character Themed Cafés Running in February 2019
ANIME&GAME ・ 01.February.2019
-
Buddha Shaped Chocolate Releasing at New VANILLABEANS Branch in Kamakura
FOOD ・ 26.January.2019
-
Ice Cream Shop Coisof Reopens in Ginza After Renovation
FOOD ・ 19.January.2019
-
Pocky Strawberry Shortcake Arriving in Collaboration With Afternoon Tea Tearoom
FOOD ・ 18.January.2019
-
Minamoto Kitchoan Ginza Store Decorates Interior With Hina Dolls
SPOT ・ 16.January.2019
-
Snoopy & Friends Fair ‘SCHROEDER & LUCY DAYS’ Taking Place in Nakameguro & Yokohama
FOOD ・ 15.January.2019
-
Red Mount Fuji Curry Inspired by Japanese Ukiyo-e Painter Hokusai
FOOD ・ 15.January.2019
-
Top 11 Character Cafés in Japan: December 2018 – Part 2
FEATURES ・ 08.December.2018