The Inner Sanctum of Samurai Tea: Hiroshima's Exclusive 400-Year-Old Soko Café Access

In the world of curated luxury travel, time is your ultimate non-renewable asset. You seek depth, not just fleeting visits. If your Hiroshima itinerary involves navigating generic tourist spots, you are simply leaving unrecoverable value on the table. This is the moment to bypass the common path.

We present a rare gateway: SOKO CAFÉ, the first-ever public collaboration sanctioned by the Ueda Soko Ryu, a 400-year-old lineage of Samurai Tea Ceremony masters. Situated on the historic Sannomaru grounds of Hiroshima Castle, this isn't merely a coffee break; it is a meticulously crafted contemporary immersion into an aesthetic forged by a direct disciple of Sen no Rikyū and Furuta Oribe.

At SOKO CAFÉ, true luxury lies in the thought behind every cup. Each matcha offering is carefully chosen to highlight quality, heritage, and authenticity—so you can relax knowing that what’s served is exceptional.

For those who love the classics, the Usucha (thin tea) — made from the Grand Master’s preferred blend — offers a gentle yet refined way to experience traditional matcha. On warmer days, the café’s chilled matcha provides a refreshing twist: cool, smooth, and deeply flavorful, it’s proof that tradition and modern comfort can blend beautifully.

At Cafe, hot matcha is served in authentic tea bowls, allowing you to enjoy not only the flavor but also the tactile beauty of real tea ceremony utensils. For those new to matcha, there are also lighter options — such as creamy matcha lattes made with milk or indulgent floats topped with soft-serve ice cream. Each offers a gentle introduction to the world of matcha without the strong bitterness often associated with traditional brews.

One of the café’s highlights is the Self-Ceremony Set, which lets you prepare your own bowl of matcha using the essential tools, including a bamboo whisk (chasen). It’s not a hurried workshop, but a quiet, mindful experience — a small moment to connect with the precision and calm of the Buke Sadō spirit.

Your tea can be paired with seasonal Wagashi (Japanese confectionery), often handmade by local artisans. Each piece is chosen to complement the subtle bitterness of matcha, creating a balance that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Together, these details turn a simple café visit into a serene journey through Japanese taste and aesthetics.