01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Tucked into a corner of Miyamoto Park just beside the main shrine grounds of Kanda Myojin, a traditional wooden residence built in the early Showa period sits in quiet seclusion. Originally constructed as the shop and home of a lumber merchant and later relocated here, the building is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by Chiyoda Ward. IMASA operates its tea room within the earthen entrance hall (doma) and garden of this historic estate. Only steps from the shrine's steady stream of worshipers, visitors find themselves enveloped in the soft grain of aged timber and verdant foliage, where time moves at a noticeably gentler pace.
Rather than full meals, the menu focuses on tea, coffee, and baked treats designed for an unhurried pause. Options include whisked matcha, deep-roasted coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and pot-served infusions such as mint, rooibos, and chamomile tea. Each drink arrives with small bite-sized cookies or chocolates, and pairing a beverage with a pound cake or gâteau au chocolat in a sweet set makes for a leisurely accompaniment to the garden view.
With seating spread sparingly between the indoor doma, the veranda (engawa), and an open terrace, the room accommodates only a handful of guests, fostering an intimate atmosphere akin to visiting a friend's private home. Warmly greeted by the host, it is an inviting stop for solo visitors or quiet pairs exploring the Kanda and Ochanomizu neighborhoods who want to catch their breath in stillness.
