From a Japanese-tea specialist, true "matcha sweets."

Yukimoe Parfait

The Yukimoe Parfait starts at 360 yen for the standard size. Crispy cone, lightly sweetened milk soft serve, chunky red bean paste, and matcha ice cream made with a full serving of fully ripened matcha kneaded right in — together, they create a delicate, exquisite flavor to savor. The 450-yen deluxe version uses a matcha waffle cone with a distinct, pronounced bitterness from the tea. The shop's own aged matcha and entirely Hokkaido-grown ingredients go into each one, hand-baked daily by managing director Yukio Tamaki.

The Yukimoe Matcha Latte, 400 yen, is another recommendation. Order it, and they'll whisk the matcha right in front of you, pouring it over soft serve before serving. The vivid contrast of green and white, and the deep, genuine flavor of matcha, are simply irresistible. And if you're feeling a bit peckish, try the Yukimomiji Piping-Hot Ochazuke, 360 yen — it warms you gently from the inside out.

What led the shop to incorporate dairy in the first place was a news story about surplus milk being discarded in massive quantities due to overproduction. The footage was deeply shocking, and as a Japanese-tea specialist, the shop felt a strong desire to do something to support Hokkaido's agriculture. As it turns out, matcha and dairy pair remarkably well together, and are also perfectly balanced nutritionally. Through trial and error, aiming to convey the value of these ingredients through an original recipe, the Yukimoe Parfait was born. Because it's handmade with generous amounts of fully ripened Uji matcha and Hokkaido ingredients, it apparently doesn't turn a profit at all. Here too, Gyokusuien's deep love of tea, and its wish for more people to discover the appeal of Japanese tea, runs deep.

As you sit savoring the aftertaste once you've finished, they'll brew you a fragrant cup of tea. Take a sip, and a deep, rich flavor brings an unintentional smile. Finding comfort in a cup of tea might just be part of the Japanese DNA.