Kimono, Tea Ceremony & Autumn Shrine Photos with Us

A Hidden Gem in Tokyo – Café, Kimono Experience & Traditional Japanese Shrine!

MAPLE CAFÉ -KAEDE- is a charming café tucked away in a peaceful residential neighborhood of Tokyo. Although it's away from the crowded tourist areas, it's easily accessible from both Shinjuku and Shibuya. It's a wonderful place to discover a quieter, more authentic side of Tokyo. One of the highlights is the opportunity to experience wearing a traditional Japanese kimono. It's a fantastic way for international visitors to immerse themselves in Japanese culture and create unforgettable memories. The owner speaks English, so international visitors can feel comfortable and welcome, even if they don't speak Japanese. The café is also located near Omiya Hachimangu Shrine, a beautiful historic Shinto shrine surrounded by greenery. Shinto is Japan's indigenous spiritual tradition, and its shrines are a unique and fascinating part of Japanese culture. Visiting a shrine offers a wonderful opportunity to experience Japanese traditions, history, and spirituality firsthand. Combining a kimono experience with a visit to this beautiful shrine and a relaxing café break makes for a truly special day in Tokyo. If you're visiting Japan and want to explore beyond the usual tourist attractions, I highly recommend this lovely café. It's a hidden gem where you can enjoy Japanese culture, local charm, and a peaceful atmosphere all in one place!

via Tripadvisor

A wonderful kimono experience at a historic shrine

I would recommend Maple cafe to anyone visiting Tokyo who wants to not just learn about but also feel Japanese culture first hand. I did the tea ceremony and kimono experience offered by the cafe and Souka is so knowledgeable, friendly, and very patient. You can ask questions about anything and she’ll explain it clearly! The area is also far from the (sometimes overwhelming) crowds in other parts of Tokyo so it's much more comfortable. This experience was so special, I’d like to do it again! Also, the food at the café is delicious, I’m obsessed with the pancakes <3 Thank you Souka! <3

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! ❤️ It was such a pleasure to share the tea ceremony and kimono experience with you. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed not only learning about Japanese culture, but also experiencing it firsthand. I believe that asking questions and understanding the meaning behind each part of the experience makes the time even more special, so I’m always happy to explain anything you’re curious about. I’m also glad you enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the neighborhood. Being close to central Tokyo while still having a quiet, local atmosphere is one of the things I love most about this area. And I’m so happy you loved our pancakes! 🥞❤️ For anyone reading this and looking for a more personal and authentic Japanese cultural experience away from the busy tourist crowds, we would be delighted to welcome you to Maple Cafe. Thank you again, and I truly hope to see you again someday! 🍁

via Tripadvisor

An authentic and memorable Japanese cultural experience in Tokyo

We had an amazing experience at MAPLE CAFE KAEDE! It was one of the highlights of our trip to Tokyo (Only 15 mins from Shibuya). Kanako-san and her husband were incredibly warm and welcoming. Kanako-san dressed us in beautiful, authentic kimonos and explained everything with great care. It was our first time wearing kimono, and we loved the beautiful obi and traditional style. The tea ceremony was wonderful. We learned about the meaning behind the traditions, enjoyed delicious matcha and Japanese sweets, and even made our own matcha. It felt like a genuine cultural experience, not just a tourist activity. Afterward, we walked to nearby Omiya Hachimangu Shrine and took beautiful photos in our kimonos. The shrine was peaceful and absolutely beautiful. And the pancakes were fantastic—fluffy, delicious, and perfect with their maple syrup! Definitely try them while you're there! Highly recommended for anyone looking for an authentic and memorable Japanese cultural experience in Tokyo!

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are truly happy to hear that your time at MAPLE CAFE KAEDE became one of the special memories of your trip to Tokyo. It was our pleasure to help you experience wearing kimono for the first time. We are especially glad that you enjoyed not only the beautiful kimono and obi, but also learning about the traditional style and culture behind them. We are also very happy that you enjoyed the tea ceremony. Rather than simply drinking matcha, we hope you were able to discover the meaning behind the traditions and the spirit of Japanese hospitality, and enjoy making your own matcha. Hearing that it felt like a genuine cultural experience, rather than just a tourist activity, means so much to us. We are glad you also enjoyed walking to nearby Omiya Hachimangu Shrine in your kimono and taking photos there. One of the special things about our area is that you can experience a peaceful, traditional atmosphere while still being close to the heart of Tokyo. And we’re so happy you loved our pancakes! 🥞🍁 Our fluffy pancakes with Canadian maple syrup are one of our favorites, too. Recently, more international visitors have been coming to MAPLE CAFE KAEDE after reading reviews and specifically looking forward to trying our pancakes, which makes us very happy! We hope MAPLE CAFE KAEDE can be a place where you can experience Japanese culture through kimono and tea ceremony, and also relax and enjoy a delicious pancake along the way. Thank you again for visiting us. We hope to see you again the next time you are in Tokyo! ❤️

via Tripadvisor

A Hidden Gem in Tokyo🍵💎

If you're looking for a truly authentic cultural experience in Tokyo, I highly recommend MAPLE CAFE -KAEDE-. From the moment I arrived, I felt genuinely welcomed. The hosts are some of the kindest people I met during my trip, and because they speak excellent English, everything felt easy, relaxed, and enjoyable from start to finish. The experience began with being dressed in a beautiful blue kimono. The host carefully helped me put it on and even gave me a purple umbrella to use for photos. They also took lots of pictures throughout the experience, which I really appreciated because it meant I could simply enjoy the moment instead of worrying about taking photos myself. After that, we moved on to the tea ceremony. Watching the matcha being prepared with such care was fascinating, especially while learning the meaning behind each step. I also had the chance to whisk the tea myself using the traditional tools, which made the experience even more memorable. The matcha was served with delicious Japanese sweets, including beautifully made wagashi. We then took a short walk to the nearby Ōmiya Hachiman Shrine. Walking through the shrine grounds in a kimono, passing beneath the bright red torii gate and through the purification ring, was something I'll remember for a long time. What made this experience so special wasn't just the activities themselves, but the people. Nothing felt rushed or staged. It felt like spending time with friends who genuinely wanted to share a part of their culture with me. It was one of the highlights of my time in Japan, and I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at MAPLE CAFE -KAEDE- for their kindness and hospitality.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are truly happy that your time at MAPLE CAFE -KAEDE- became such a special memory during your trip to Tokyo. You looked absolutely beautiful in the blue kimono! We’re also glad you enjoyed the purple umbrella. We hope the photos we took throughout the experience will bring back happy memories for you. Hearing that you could simply enjoy the moment without worrying about taking photos yourself made us very happy. During the tea ceremony, we were delighted to share not only how to prepare matcha, but also the meaning behind each movement and tradition. It was wonderful to see you make your own matcha, and we’re glad you enjoyed the Japanese sweets as well. We’re also so happy that your walk to Omiya Hachimangu Shrine in your kimono became a memorable part of your experience. Walking through the red torii gate and the purification ring, we hope you were able to discover a peaceful and traditional side of Tokyo. Most of all, it means so much to us that you felt as though you were spending time with friends who genuinely wanted to share their culture with you. Rather than simply following a set tourist activity, we hope to create a relaxed experience where we can talk, connect, and enjoy Japanese culture together at your own pace. Thank you again for choosing MAPLE CAFE -KAEDE- as part of your memories in Japan. If you ever come back to Tokyo, we would be delighted to see you again. We look forward to seeing you next time! ❤️

via Tripadvisor

Do take part in the tea/kimono ceremony at Maple Cafe Kaede!💗

A wonderful,exquisite chance to participate in a cultural event in Tokyo. Our host was respectful, quiet, honest and really knowledgeable about kimonos and traditions. The tea/treats were to die for….very delicious. We’d encourage any visitor to seek them out. Small incense gifts are available. We’d rate this experience first class.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are truly happy that you enjoyed your Japanese cultural experience in Tokyo, and we are especially grateful that you rated it “first class.” We’re glad you were interested in the kimono and Japanese traditions, and that you enjoyed our explanations and hospitality as well. We’re also very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tea and Japanese sweets. Being able to enjoy delicious tea and sweets while experiencing Japanese culture is something that makes the experience even more special for us, too. And thank you for your kind words about our handmade scented sachets, which are available for purchase at the cafe. I personally design these sachets, and the fragrances inside are original creations made especially for MAPLE CAFE -KAEDE-. We use natural materials, hoping that the gentle scents will help you slow down and enjoy a peaceful moment even in the middle of a busy everyday life. We hope you can take a little memory of Japan home with you through the scent. Another thing we love about this experience is that it changes with the seasons. In spring, you may see cherry blossoms, while in autumn, the maple leaves and other seasonal colors transform the grounds of Omiya Hachimangu Shrine. The Japanese sweets we serve with the tea and even the tea utensils we use also change with the seasons. So if you visit us again at a different time of year, you can experience a completely different side of Japanese culture and beauty. Thank you again for recommending us to visitors to Tokyo. It truly means a lot to us. If you come back to Tokyo, we would be delighted to welcome you again at MAPLE CAFE -KAEDE-. We hope you’ll come back in another season and enjoy a different side of Japan with us! We look forward to seeing you again!

via Tripadvisor