Escape the Buzz of Yokohama Chinatown: A Relaxing Chinese Tea Experience at Goku Tea House

Hello everyone! If you’ve ever explored Yokohama’s Chinatown, you’ll know it’s full of incredible food. But once you’ve eaten your fill, you might be asking yourself: where can I take a break? For me, the perfect answer is Goku Tea House (悟空茶荘, Gokū Chasō), a popular spot that even made it onto Tabelog’s prestigious “Top 100 Restaurants” list in Japan.

This stylish tea salon offers over 100 varieties of authentic Chinese tea in a calm, welcoming space – the perfect retreat for couples, friends on a day out, or anyone looking for a quiet moment away from the lively streets below.

Your Pass is the key to exploring Yokohama with ease.

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What is Goku Tea House?

Set across two floors, Goku Tea House combines tradition with comfort:

Ground floor – a shop selling colorful tea leaves, teapots, and Chinese tea sets, ideal for picking up some souvenirs.
Upstairs – a spacious tearoom with warm wooden furniture and soft lighting, where you can relax and enjoy tea at your own pace.

It’s an atmosphere that feels worlds away from the bustling Chinatown outside.

Basic Information

Address: 130 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Access: 5 minutes’ walk from Motomachi–Chukagai Station (Minatomirai Line) / 7 minutes from Ishikawachō Station (JR)
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 10:30 – 18:00
Weekends: 10:30 – 18:30
Reservations: Weekdays only
Closed: Irregular days

Inside the Tearoom

Quote: Official site

The upstairs lounge has a calm, traditional feel with hints of Chinese design. It’s a quiet, airy space, filled with the soothing fragrance of freshly brewed tea – a place to slow down and simply enjoy the moment.

Step into the elegance of Japan- join a traditional tea ceremony in Tokyo.

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Recommended Menu Highlights

Gokū Eight Treasures Tea (八宝茶)

A colorful herbal-style blend featuring dried fruits, jujube (red date), chrysanthemum flowers and more. Lightly sweet, visually stunning, and almost like drinking dessert.

Sticky Rice with Chinese Sausage (蓮包おこわ)

Glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf, infused with the smoky-savory flavor of Chinese-style sausage. Fragrant, filling and very satisfying.

Dunhuang Parfait (敦煌パフェ)

A creative parfait inspired by Chinese sweets. Layers of almond jelly, jujube, white fungus and more – surprisingly healthy, but indulgent at the same time.

My Experience: Jasmine Tea Set with Dim Sum

I opted for the Chinese Tea Set, which allows you to pair your choice of tea with dim sum and dried fruit. Popular picks include:
Oriental Beauty (東方美人) – an elegant oolong known as the “Queen of Oolong”
Pu’er Tea (プーアル茶) – rich and earthy, with depth
Jasmine Tea (ジャスミン茶) – fragrant and floral

I chose the Jasmine Tea Set (¥1,550). It came with a small teapot, dainty cups, and side dishes: a char siu bun, dried mango, green raisins, and dried mandarin.

Pouring the tea yourself is all part of the ritual. At first, I wasn’t sure what to do, but the friendly staff explained everything to me, including the purpose of the small blue ceramic bowl on the table (used to discard excess tea or rinse the leaves). Once I got the hang of it, I loved being able to top up my cup again and again – you can easily get 4–5 infusions from one pot.

The flavor was delicate yet comforting, the floral aroma filling the air with each pour. The char siu bun was packed with juicy meat, while the dried fruits added just the right touch of natural sweetness. Together, the tea and food created a truly indulgent, multi-sensory experience.

Our Top Chinese Tea Picks- Start Your Journey Here

Special Events at Goku Teahouse

On select weekdays, you can enjoy a blend of traditional Chinese culture and delicious tea at Goku Teahouse. It’s the perfect way to spend a special afternoon.

Wednesday: Chinese Pipa Performance

Experience the elegant tones of the pipa, a traditional Chinese lute once played in the imperial court.

🕒 13:30 / 15:30 / 17:00 (approx. 20 mins each)

Thursday: Puppet Theater (Glove Puppetry)

Get ready for a lively glove puppet show! Popular in Taiwan, these small puppets are full of charm as they laugh, cry, and perform on stage.

🕒 13:30 / 15:00 / 17:00 (approx. 20 mins each)

Don’t Miss the Shop Downstairs

Before leaving, I recommend browsing the ground floor shop. With around 100 different teas, you’ll find something unique to take home – whether for yourself or as a thoughtful gift. The selection of teapots and tea accessories also makes it easy to bring a piece of the experience back with you.

Final Thoughts

If you’re visiting Yokohama Chinatown, Goku Tea House is an absolute must. It’s more than just a café – it’s a retreat, a place to recharge, and a chance to experience authentic Chinese tea culture in Japan.

Whether you pop in during sightseeing, stop by on a date, or come with friends, it’s a relaxing way to round off your Chinatown adventure. After feasting on dumplings or noodles, why not refresh your mind and body with a pot of fine Chinese tea?

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