Chaseki — Restaurant in Hakone

Best tea experience ever! Not so much for the tea itself (for sure very high quality but to my untrained palate, it was slightly overbrewed) but for the atmosphere in the room. It is a newly open teahouse, but set and furnished in a traditional way. The tea brewing set-up at the bar, where the master prepares the drinks in plain sight of the customers, is absolutely fascinating. A relaxing background instrumental music does the rest of the job! At first, I was the only guest A joung Japanese guy welcomed me, embarassed not to be able to speak any English (indeed he wasn't, apart from a handful of words) and probably thinking that this european turist had mistaken the place for a modern bar or a coffee shop. But with the help of Google translate I could prove to know a thing or two about tea, and I ordered a Kabusecha. Meanwhile two couples of customers arrived and ordered Gyokuro and a roasted tea (which he flame roasted on the spot before my eyes!). The atmosphere was already much better and enjoyable. Even if I felt the caffeine punch from my cups, I couldn't resist ordering also the expensive Gyokuro, because I realize that this was a once in a lifetime experience and I should cherish it longer. Long enough that I was again the only customer at the bar desk, but this time I and the tea master were becoming friends (thank you google translate). I complimented him for the beautiful shop ambiance and he asked me about wether and how tea is...

Wonderful teas brewed with care and attention, went perfectly with the cold winter weather in Hakone at the time I visited. There's a good selection of Japanese teas from different regions in Japan, although they do all fall within either Sencha, Gyokuro, Black tea, or hand roasted teas. The shop ambience is peaceful and clean, helping to accentuate the tea tasting experience, and it was fascinating to watch the preparation and serving of the tea. The sweets that came alongside the tea go well with the flavor, but do note to eat them only starting with the 2nd cup onwards to appreciate the full tea flavor first. There was also a cute robot named Wasabi there to greet customers, as well as a selection of teas on sale for home brewing and tasting...

Went to visit this place after taking the HAKONE ropeway down. Only reached at 510pm as was delayed on the ropeway. Was apologetically informed by the grandmother and granddaughter who runs the tea place that they were unable to do any more dine in experience as it was close to closing. We took away some cold brew tea and small snacks and asked them to help us call a taxi back to our hotel. There was no car / bus but the nice grandma kindly offered to give us a lift in her cute mini van back to the hotel. Would definitely return next time to enjoy their tea experience and support...