Hey, everyone! Today I’m here in Jiyuugaoka, a town packed with variety stores, clothes stores, and fine restaurants that everyone’s talking about! I’m here to introduce Kosoan, a popular Japanese “folk house” cafe that has been featured numerous times on TV and in magazines. Dine on the finest Japanese sweets as you relax and enjoy the views of the garden! Come on, let’s go and have a little taste of heaven!
The café is located about five minutes away from the main exit of Jiyuugaoka Station. Here it is!
I head up the stepping stone path towards the cafe. The atmosphere is still and silent, as if setting foot into somewhere secret...
Kosoan’s main building was constructed at the end of the Taisho era, while the tearoom was completed at the beginning of the Showa era. The tearoom, which was built using antique mulberry timber, has been opened up as a teahouse and gallery.
I take off my shoes and immediately head inside the teahouse! Through the large glass door you can see the decorative well, stepping stones, and carefully-maintained Japanese landscape garden.
Inside is decorated with antiques collected over the generations, and dolls created by the founder of the teahouse, a doll maker. The atmosphere is calm and soothing, and the sense of stillness washes away the weariness of traveling!
On offer is a range of fine quality Japanese sweets and drinks. I immediately order the anmitsu!
After pouring on plenty of the brown sugar syrup, I dig in! The smooth agar-gar is topped with a colorful selection of seasonal fruit and green peas, springy gyuuhi (thin rice soft skin), and tsubuan (coarse anko, or bean paste.) The different flavors work together in perfect harmony, spreading gently around the mouth!
For my drink, I chose the matcha au lait to go with the seasonal Japanese sweets. The yuzu flavored sweets and refreshing matcha au lait are both delicious!
Both my body and mind were very grateful to me for having paid a visit to this refined and soothing “folk house” cafe!
Information
Kosoan
Opening Hours: 11:00 am - 6:30 pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
- Head out the main exit of Jiyuugaoka Station, turn right down the street between Mizuho Bank and the confectionery store, then head up the gentle slope and you’ll find Kosoan on your right-hand side.
- The atmosphere and scenery changes depending on the season and time of day at which you visit!
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