Aoyama Flower Market
Before arriving in Japan, we read a lot of articles about places to visit. One that jumped to the top of our list was Aoyama Flower Market in Tokyo, a flower shop with a cafe. The photos showed beautiful flower displays and creatively displayed food served in a cosy area dripping with plants. This was a place we had to visit!
It was raining that day and we had a little trouble finding the entrance. The Aoyama Flower Market Tea House in Minamiaoyama was a short subway ride away from our hotel and very close to Omote-Sando station. But with Google search we found the Flower Shop entrance off the street and down some stairs.
Wow! The display was amazing! Stunning! So glad we came.
Reviews of the café raved about good food, a range of teas and flowers used to decorate the tables and surrounds. Recommendations were to arrive early if you planned to have lunch or else expect to queue.
At 11.30 it was already busy, so we decided to eat first and look later.
Aoyama Flower Market Tea House
Entering the Tea House felt like walking into a conservatory. There was Devil’s Ivy hanging from framework on the side walls and baskets of English Ivy hanging from the ceiling. The tables were glass and looked like frames for more trailing plants growing underneath. Each table had a vase of deep pink Calla Lilies, the flower of the week. The flowers change regularly, depending on which flower is in season.
Our seats were at a bench along a window, looking out to a small courtyard, as the centre tables were all occupied. It was lovely sitting here looking out through the pink Calla Lilies in vases along the sill. Even though the cafe was very busy it was peaceful and felt intimate.
Menu
The menu had a small selection of dishes, including desserts, and there was a good range of herbal and floral tea combinations. Seasonal ingredients are highlighted and food presentation is inspired by the seasons. We each chose a salad, tea and dessert. Everything was beautifully presented and delicious, costing about Y4000 or AU$48.00.
Left: Spring inspired dessert
Right: Summer inspired dessert
There are many Aoyama flower markets throughout Tokyo, though only 3 of them have a Tea House.
After lunch we went back into the Flower Shop. The arrangements, colour combinations and flowers available were exquisite. It is not surprising these shops are so popular. I wanted to buy bunches to take with us but they would not have survived the day we had planned: visiting Shibuya and Shimokitazawa.
Don't miss the opportunity
When we finally left, the queue of people waiting to be seated went through the Flower Shop and up the stairs, almost to the street. I am so glad we took the advice to arrive early!
If you are at all interested in perfect, beautiful flowers, make time to visit Aoyama Flower Shop.
And for a special lunch or cup of tea, the unique atmosphere in the Aoyama Flower Market Tea House can’t be beaten.
This information comes from the Aoyama Flower market website and helps explain the attention to detail and philosophy behind these stores.
Japan and Flowers
Flowers and nature are central to the culture of Japanese people. Looking at flowers, enjoying their transient blossoms and celebrating the blooming seasons of different flowers are favourite activities in Japan.
Respecting the rhythm of the seasons and being in harmony with nature is central to the Japanese way of life.
Each flower is delicately highlighted during its ephemeral blossom, like the cherry blossom (the famous “sakura”), which is feted every spring during the season of the “hanami” flower-viewing parties.
Bouquets containing a single species of flowers are especially appreciated since they can showcase a flower’s personality.
For other places to visit in Tokyo read these articles:
If you are looking for other gardens, read Japanese Gardens to Visit
