1. What is Shikamaen Co., Ltd.?

Shikamanen Co., Ltd. is a company that sells and deals with a wide range of teas, including traditional Japanese teas, teas made with Yamagata’s specialty products, and health teas.

It all began in 1912, when the company’s founder, Gonshiro Shikama, started selling tea in Murakisawa, now Yamagata City.

They moved to the Omachi street in Yokamachi around 1922, and have been selling tea for over 100 years since then.

It is filled with tea and colorful tea utensils, and is a popular place for everyone from general customers to those well versed in the tea ceremony.

Various tea ceremony utensils lined up in the store

Colorful and elegant Macha green tea bowls

A tea whisk for making tea

Tea caddy with beautiful colors and designs

If you go further inside the store, you will find Kura Café Charyoan.

The entrance where warm light shines in

This is a tasteful and relaxing space where tea utensils are displayed and sold, and you can enjoy delicious Macha green tea sweets.

Inside “Charyoan”

Shikamaen has a history of over 110 years since its founding, and as “tea professionals,” they have always been proactive in listening to the voices and requests of the local community.

When it comes to the manufacturing, sales, and planning of tea, the company’s motto is “try it first” and they value an “attitude of continuing to take on challenges.”

They also mentioned that they would like to hold fun projects and events based on the theme of “having fun with tea” in the future.

・An extraordinary experience through tea
・Tea classes for parents and children
・Tea events that let you feel the seasons

Why not join in on this “playing with tea” activity?

2. Shikamanen's Commitment and Kura Café Saryoan

At Shikamaen, they have continued to make tea that is suited to Yamagata’s water since their predecessors.

At the Yokamachi main shop, they stock a wide range of teas, from Japanese teas that allow you to directly experience the flavor of the tea leaves, to teas that are perfect for weddings and everyday use.

Sencha “Yasoya” – A light taste with emphasis on aroma (from the website)

“Shunkou” tea leaves available only in spring

This is a Japanese tea that tastes like fresh spring tea.

The savory flavor and bitterness of the tea leaves, along with the gentle sweetness that spreads throughout your mouth, will make you feel the arrival of spring.

We also sell a variety of teas that are unique to Yamagata.

“Cherry Hojicha” is a tea that brings out the fragrant roasted green tea and fruity aroma of cherries.

You can drink it like flavored tea, and it’s also recommended for a relaxing tea time!

It makes use of the natural aroma of cherries.

Why not combine it with the mellow-smelling “La France Kukicha” to buy a souvenir from Yamagata?

At Shikamaen, we never forget our honesty when it comes to making tea.

“We don’t just want to sell products, we want people to enjoy the original aroma and flavor of tea with all five senses.”

“We want to provide tea that will warm and comfort everyone, from children to adults.”

Kura Café Saryoan is the embodiment of this commitment and philosophy in tea making.

From here, we will introduce some of the exquisite sweets that can be enjoyed at the atmospheric Kura Café Saryoan.

3. Three recommended sweets

Kura Café Saryoan, located inside the Yokamachi shop, offers a full menu of sweets to suit your mood of the day, including rich soft-serve ice cream made with Macha green tea, which is used for tea ceremonies, and Macha green tea sets.

① Saryoan Parfait

Shikamaen’s Saryoan Parfait is a hearty dish that lets you enjoy fragrant macha green tea soft-serve ice cream, chewy rice flour dumplings, and red bean paste all in one.

Macha green tea is blended into the soft-serve ice cream, bringing out the subtle bitterness and rich flavor of macha green tea.

It is topped with homemade roasted green tea chiffon cake.

The moist and fluffy texture and the fragrant aroma of roasted green tea are irresistible.

The crunchy texture of the corn flakes adds a nice accent to this very satisfying dessert, allowing you to enjoy the delicious combination of Japanese and Western flavors.

② Macha green tea set

The macha green tea set is recommended for those who want to enjoy authentic macha green tea casually.

Macha green tea is often thought of as having a refined bitterness, but Shikamaen’s macha green tea has a mild taste and deep richness, making it very easy to drink.

Macha green tea: “Seikahaku” by Kitagawa Hanbei Shoten

The sweets on this day were cherry blossom wasanbon, which gives a feeling of spring, and other Japanese sweets with a rich, elegant flavor.

Both are made by confectioners from Yamagata, and the sweets available change depending on the season.

Left: Wasanbon, which melts in your mouth. Right: Japanese sweets.

You can enjoy macha green tea and Japanese sweets that are hard to find at home, and it’s also nice to discover new flavors with each season!

③ Macha green tea soft-serve ice cream (take-out available)

If you’re walking around Yamagata Station and want to take a break, why not try macha green tea’s soft-serve ice cream, available for takeout?

Being able to enjoy soft-serve ice cream made with a generous amount of macha green tea for the customers is a privilege that only a tea shop can offer.

It also goes great with rich soft-serve ice cream!

Shikamaen started Saryoan about 10 years ago.

At the time, it was said that the younger generation in Japan was moving away from Japanese tea.

“I want people to feel closer to Japanese tea.”
“Creating an environment where people can enjoy tea more casually “

Saryoan is the embodiment of this.

When you hear about Japanese tea or macha green tea, you might imagine something very formal, with proper drinking etiquette and the time it takes to brew.

However, contrary to that image, Shikamaen says that the way tea is enjoyed should be “more free.”

・Want to enjoy macha green tea sweets?
・I want to try the tea ceremony
・ Daily rewards and memories
・I want to post on social media
・Just want to relax

They said they would like people to use Saryoan according to their individual purposes.

In fact, Saryoan is visited not only by female customers, but also by many young male customers.

Be sure to drop by for some healing and refreshment!

4. Macha green tea experience

At Saryoan, even first-time visitors can enjoy a relaxed macha green tea experience.

You can enjoy the tea you made yourself along with macha green tea sweets, making this an experience perfect for students or those who want to start learning the tea ceremony.

Put macha green tea in a teacup

Making tea with a bamboo whisk

The theme is “not too formal” and “enjoying tea,” so it’s ok even if you don’t know the exact etiquette!

This is also recommended for those who are interested in the tea ceremony but don’t know where to start.

Take a break with delicious macha green tea sweets

You can spend a relaxing time in an extraordinary space.

Tea ceremony experience

Through this macha green tea experience, Shikama says , “I want to act as a bridge for people who want to learn more about the tea ceremony and Japanese culture.”

As tea professionals, they will provide gentle instruction even to first-time visitors.

There is also a kimono shop nearby where you can rent kimonos, so it would be a great place to make some little memories.

5. Message

Finally, Mr. Shikama from Shikamaen has a message for everyone reading VISIT YAMAGATA.

“Shikamanen “Kura Café Saryoan” offers delicious macha green tea sweets and macha green tea experiences in a relaxing Showa retro atmosphere.

It has a relaxing atmosphere after lunch or when you want to change your mood, so please come and visit us. “

6. Basic Information

Hours
10:00~17:30
Café: 11:00~16:00
(Last order: 15:30)

Business days
Monday to Saturday

Closed
Sunday