31 Matcha Lattes from Japan, ranked

Jul 13, 2025

With a whopping total of 31 matcha lattes consumed (and photographed, surely forgot some) from my 3 week trip across Japan, I attempted to reminisce and rate them all. I didn’t take any notes so this is just off memory.

What I’m looking for my matcha: creamy, strong matcha flavor, not grainy, ice ratio, hand whisked is a plus! Many cafes had demonstrations where you could watch your drink be made (the right way)

SUN SAN D, Hakone: My FAVORITE. Hits all the spots. Great presentation, I mean look at it, but also a full demo where you watch your drink made. Sweet yet still had a strong matcha flavor. 5/5

7T+, Kyoto: High on my list of recommendations. Not only matcha but hundreds of tea options, such a fun experience on top of excellent matcha and staff. Lots of options for different types of matcha, I just pointed to one that sounded good and picked well. Add your own agave sweetener to your liking since it is very bitter! 5/5

Hatoya (multiple locations but Kamakura was my favoirte!) Popular for a reason. Wish ice cream in matcha was available at every cafe, adds such great flavor and divine with the heat. Hand whisked demonstration! Just what I needed. 5/5

Rarasand, Tokyo: Great standard latte. Memorable as the cafe has a deal where you get little cat cakes to accompany your drink as well as origami stations at each of the tables. Right by the lucky cat temple and very on theme! My mom could get one with me since they had alternative milk, we found that only about a third of cafes had that option. 4.5/5

Gokago, Kyoto: Another trendy spot, great matcha, appreciate the ice cream. Great demo and shop, but long line on a hot and busy street… 4.5/5

Nikenchaya, Yakasa Shrine Kyoto: Something about this one was so good… Just what I was looking for. 5/5

Cant find name since it’s a new spot but in Harajuku! Fun! Not as strong as I prefer but really rich and fun experience, no chairs though… 4/5

Wabi, Hiroshima: First of the trip, very bitter but discovered gum syrup (sweet syrup) that most cafes had, just like creamer packets. Enjoyed that convenience throughout the trip. Great staff and start of the trip. 3.5/5

Kanoko Cafe, Kyoto: This one should almost be considered a dessert, so sweet yet had that matcha flavor. The best people watching as well. 4/5

Maruzen, Tokyo: Heartbreakingly enough, my last matcha of the trip. Perfect way to go out. Friendly staff and demo for each drink. 4.5/5

The Matcha Tokyo: Yummmmy. Just what I’m looking for. And extra points for being in an AC mall with a great selection of affordable matcha accessories for sale. 4.5/5

Itoh Kyuemon, Uji: Just what I needed on this hot morning. More of a matcha tea + vanilla ice cream than a latte but delicious nonetheless. 5/5

Rag and Bone, Tokyo: The ONLY cafe open at 9am in Harajuku that morning… Everything opens so late in Japan, which really took me and my jetlag by surprise. Most cafes open around 10/11, but 7/11 is always open and they have great iced coffee! American style cafe, watered down flavor, good not great. 3/5

Hermitage, Osaka: Great neighborhood to explore! This one was delish. Hand whisked! 4/5

Micasadeco The Park, Osaka: Found out additional flavored syrup is not always necessary, so much raspberry jam in this one which overpowered the matcha flavor I was craving. Could tell the matcha was good, just made a mistake with the raspberry syrup. But sweet spot to go to after Osaka Castle. 2/5

Matcha Stand Maruni, Tokyo: Nice reset in the Tsukiji market, another cafe with a hand whisked demo! Love it! 4.5/5

Rokaku Tea House, Miyajima: Not a memorable latte, but great cafe inside a temple I highly recommend! Great staff as well. 3/5

My least favorite… so thin and grainy and no flavor. Didn’t finish. 1/5

Not a fan of jelly in my latte. But if you like that go for it. 1/5

Ordinary, Tokyo: This one would not fully mix for me but gorgeous, not as tasty tho. Ordinary describes it. Went to the first cafe I could find this morning to use the restroom. 2.5/5

Café Bar "Kiraku", Tokyo: Not the greatest, but this cafe (turned bar) was super cool. 3/5

Something about this one… was so bad. Maybe it was the food truck in front of a tourist attraction of it all but wow… sooo terrible. Photo speaks for itself. 0/5