Translated with the help of NotebookLM.
The original Japanese article is here >> お茶の多様性と出会う [ 白鷺茶房 しらさぎさぼう ] | 姫路 忍町
“I want to drink good tea, but I don’t know where to go.” “I want to learn about fine tea, but there’s no place to study.”
This is exactly the place that “tea refugees” in Himeji should quietly open the door to. On April 3, 2026, **Shirasagi Sabou**, a place to encounter the diversity of tea, will open in Shinobumachi, within walking distance from Himeji Station.
Beyond just a cup to quench your thirst lies an “intellectual pleasure” that unravels the individuality of tea. A dense time that sharpens your five senses begins at a counter with only four seats.
A Place to Convey the True Value of Tea
For those of us living in Japan, tea is an incredibly familiar presence. It’s served naturally when you sit down at a restaurant or available at free corners in highway rest areas. The feeling that “tea is something provided for free” may have taken root without us even realizing it.
However, the cup served at Shirasagi Sabou is something entirely different. Just like coffee with its dedication to bean varieties and brewing methods, tea is also a drink that changes its expression surprisingly based on the terroir, production method, and “how it is brewed.”
“Delicious tea has value.”
The words of the owner, Yoshiyuki Akamatsu, carry an earnest sentiment born from seeing production sites firsthand. He wants to correctly convey the value of tea leaves that farmers have poured their hearts into and spread a culture of paying a fair price for that deliciousness. We will share from Himeji the rich time brought by “the ultimate cup,” brewed with care, which is more than just an extension of daily life.
Six Degrees of Expertise Born from “Not Knowing”
The owner, Mr. Akamatsu, was born and raised in a family that runs “Harimaya Chaho,” a long-established tea shop in Himeji since 1948. Although he once held a completely different job in Tokyo, he later threw himself into the world of tea to succeed the family business.
Before joining the family shop, he underwent training in Mie Prefecture. He is now an appraiser with highly advanced skills, holding a “6th-degree tea inspection technique” (Cha Shinsa Gijutsu Rokudan)—the only one in Himeji. Yet, surprisingly, he says, “I had never brewed tea in a teapot until I entered the family business.”
Through training and competitions, Mr. Akamatsu found the greatest joy in the “process” of becoming able to distinguish the differences in tea that he didn’t understand at first. Because he started from zero as a beginner, he can empathize with those who are not familiar with tea.
“Not knowing means you are about to encounter new discoveries. It’s okay if you feel hesitant or embarrassed to ask even basic questions.”
It is a place where tea begins, filled with the wish for more people to easily discover the joy of tea. At the same time, the true charm of this place is being able to talk about the profound world of tea with Mr. Akamatsu. He quietly and deeply caters to both the curiosity of beginners and the insatiable thirst for knowledge of tea experts.
How to Enjoy Shirasagi Sabou
There are various ways to enjoy Shirasagi Sabou:
- Tea Service: Enjoy tea brewed for you.
- Retail: Purchase tea leaves and teaware.
- Experiences & Classes: Deepen your knowledge of tea (by appointment only).
Enjoying Flavors from a Selection of Over 10 Varieties
At the cafe, you can enjoy over 10 varieties of tea carefully selected by Mr. Akamatsu, centered on “single-origin” leaves that producers across Japan have poured their passion into. The lineup includes not only green tea but also hojicha, Chinese tea, Japanese black tea, and even tea from overseas that has been attracting attention recently.
Warm or cold tea, depending on your mood. For those who want to drink and enjoy more, a 500 yen discount for the second cup onwards (without tea snacks) is also available. Please try and compare different personalities.
Tea snacks include exquisite items selected to accompany the tea, such as a custom-made matcha lemon cake from the local shop “Raison d’être” and “SHUKA” seed sweets.
Touching Craftsmanship: Luxury of Tea Utensils and Experiences
Inside the shop, tea leaves that you enjoyed at the cafe are also available for sale. It’s perfect for enjoying your favorites at home. Additionally, teaware that Mr. Akamatsu fell in love with for its usability and beauty is also for sale.
Teapots and cups by renowned artisans such as Yuta Yamada (Tokoname-yaki) and Shun Otsuki (Banko-yaki) are on display. These are not just tools, but masterpieces that bring out the maximum flavor of the tea and make the act of brewing look beautiful.
Experiences and Classes
Furthermore, programs are available by appointment to satisfy your intellectual curiosity.
- Chakabuki: A traditional game of identifying different teas to sharpen your five senses.
- Tasting Comparison: A learning time to dig deep into three seasonal varieties through a lecture.
Both are programs where you can fully immerse yourself in the world of tea for about an hour and a half (from 4,000 yen).
The Potential of Tea from Himeji
Mr. Akamatsu and Shirasagi Sabou have taken a new step. While assessing demand, he is planning to increase the number of seats and eventually create a larger place where workshops and tastings can be enjoyed more casually. Furthermore, he is considering developing an “original blend” unique to Shirasagi Sabou.
We can’t wait to see what new flavors he will create with his reliable skills as an appraiser. Because Himeji is not a tea-producing area, there are things that can be uniquely conveyed. Correctly delivering the value of tea without forgetting respect for the producers. Mr. Akamatsu’s challenge begins quietly and powerfully from this four-seat counter.
Shirasagi Sabou Details
Opening Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
*Reservations only from 4/3 to 4/5. From 4/6, reservations are prioritized, but walk-ins will be accepted if seats are available. Please check the official Instagram for the latest information.
Address: Inside Tomarie, 19 Shinobumachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture
From JR Himeji Station: Approx. 6-min walk. From Sanyo Himeji Station: Approx. 4-min walk.
*Located in the same building as the leather workshop “Tomarie” in Shinobumachi.
*No parking available. Numerous coin parking lots nearby.
Business Hours: 10:00 – 19:00
Closed: Thursdays (with occasional irregular closures)
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