Illustration Postcard - The Black Tea Shop on the Corner

"Kiko's Coffee Pilgrimage" - Japanese Kissaten Series After a journey from Tokyo, we arrived in Kamakura, drawn here by a magical cake. Upon entering, we discovered we were the first guests. The tranquil space was filled with my favorite wood tones, evoking an atmosphere akin to the English countryside. Over 40 years of operation had shaped the shop's distinct style. The shelves were adorned with a dazzling array of tea canisters, antique clocks, and vintage posters – collections amassed over years. A closer look revealed many decorations related to tea. At that moment, the shop owner, an uncle figure, emerged to greet us and present the menu. He seemed as though he had stepped right out of a European boutique. I remained captivated, observing everything with wide-eyed wonder. As expected from a dedicated tea house, the menu offered a wide selection of teas. We chose a black tea and an Indian spiced milk tea to form an afternoon tea set, and of course, the "magical cake" I had been anticipating. Before long, the owner brought our order. He carefully placed a cozy on the teapot to keep it warm. Finally, we saw the wondrous "Snowflake Cake." It was, in fact, an intriguing upside-down cake, with cream and berries at the bottom, and the cake itself perched on top! It was a perfect display of a challenging creation. The uncle gestured for us to mix the seemingly precarious cake with the cream to enjoy. The meringue-based cake had an unexpected texture. One bite of the sweet and sour flavors, paired with perfectly brewed black tea, brought such happiness. What deserves special mention is the exquisite choice of tableware. The black tea was poured into a wide-mouthed, narrow-bottomed teacup, releasing a rich aroma as soon as you leaned in. The taste was sweet and refreshing, without any bitterness. Although the Indian spiced milk tea was also rich and delicious, for desserts, black tea is always the perfect choice. Finally, the uncle elegantly processed our payment with an antique lever cash register. It truly felt as though we had taken a trip to Europe! ---------------------------------- Product Information | Material | 300gsm Watercolor Paper | Dimensions | Approximately 10.5 x 14.8 cm | Origin | Taiwan