A trip to Tea Time Maruha

We recently visited some friends who live in Hamamatsu, and on the way there we stopped in at the city of Kakegawa so that I could visit Tea Time Maruha. Kakegawa has a strong connection to green tea, with much of their agricultural industry being dominated by it. The region is dotted with tea fields and they’re well regarded for producing high quality brews. I really enjoy visiting unique tea houses and appreciating the atmosphere there, and this place definitely hit the nail on the head for those requirements.

One of the nicest things about the cafe here is that it gives you a direct view of the beautiful greenery outside - you really feel a connection to nature like you would in a traditional tea house setting, but with a more modern vibe to it. There are windows that virtually go from the floor to the ceiling, and the fact that the ceilings are so high adds to all the natural light that streams in. The tables and chairs are a natural wood color, and I would describe the rest of the decor as minimalist - but in a really pleasant way.

The summer months see the greens really popping at Tea Time Maruha. The natural light in the cafe is lovely!

When it comes to the menu at Tea Time Maruha, as you may expect in this part of the country there are various takes on green tea that visitors can enjoy. I opted for the set that included a cup of matcha and a slice of organic matcha chiffon cake served with red beans on the side. The cake was deliciously light and fluffy, with just the right amount of matcha flavoring to it.

A cup of matcha and some matcha chiffon cake at Tea Time Maruha

If you’d prefer something cooler, they also had green tea kakigori (shaved ice) and various flavors of tea infused ice cream on the menu, including the mainstay of matcha ice cream but other variants including hojicha ice cream.

If you’re in Shizuoka, and in particular if you’re visiting Kakegawa or the surrounding areas, I highly recommend a trip to Tea Time Maruha. Enjoying some locally produced tea or tea-inspired sweets is a great way to connect with one of the region’s primary industries and treat your taste buds at the same time.

Map details for the cafe can be found below. Please note that they are closed every Wednesday if you’re making a special trip. Every other day, they’re open from 10 am until 6 pm, with last orders being taken at 5 pm.