GOKAGO — Restaurant in Kyoto

We got the regular iced matcha latte, regular sweetness and topped with matcha ice cream. We also got the iced hojicha latte, regular sweetness and topped with hojicha ice cream. Both drinks were not too sweet, less sweet than the ice cream, but sweet enough which most of the bitterness from the tea was dulled. Each drink costed around $12 CAD but we thought was worth the price especially with the ice cream and being able to watch your drink get made. The hojicha was proabbly the best iced hojicha we had on our trip, smooth, earthy, rich and full bodied. Be prepared for a longer wait, as there is the initial line just to order, and a secondary queue where you’re waiting for your number to be called up, watch your drinks gets made, then enjoy. This process does crowd the store quite a bit, as most people inside are waiting for their drinks. However you can make purchases of there matcha/hojicha powders, teas and other accessories at the back counter. The matcha and hojicha powders however are limited to one each per person. Worth a visit if you...

If you’re a fan of matcha and looking for a place that offers more than just a drink, you need to check out this super cool and modern twist on Japanese tea and confectionery shops.

One of the highlights of the experience is the live matcha demonstration. Before your drink is prepared, your order number is called, inviting you to come closer and watch as your special matcha drink is crafted right in front of you. It’s fascinating to see the precision and care that goes into making each cup. Unsurprisingly, most of the patrons (myself included) couldn’t resist capturing the moment for Instagram.

I enjoyed every second of this unique experience. The ambiance is sleek and modern, yet it retains an authentic Japanese touch.

It’s a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary vibes.

In addition to the hot matcha, I treated myself to an affogato sweet matcha scoop with a tiny rice mochi - a beautiful complement to the unsweetened hot matcha, offering a balanced contrast that was both delightful...

I genuinely don’t understand the hype around this store. We ordered an iced matcha with oat milk and another iced matcha with matcha ice cream. Even though mine was made with oat milk, it tasted just like regular milk and wasn’t creamy at all. The matcha ice cream wasn’t good either. The only unique thing about this place is that they prepare the matcha right in front of you. While it’s interesting to watch how a matcha drink is made, the girl making it looked miserable. It’s understandable though, since she probably has to make hundreds, if not thousands, of drinks in front of customers constantly filming her.

We also had to wait around 30–40 minutes for our drinks, which definitely wasn’t worth it. The atmosphere inside the café felt stressful, packed with people waiting for their orders, and there weren’t even enough seats. Overall, this place felt like a total tourist trap. You’re much better off walking a few more blocks for matcha that actually...