Tokyo’s many neighbourhoods are full of hidden restaurants, cafes & bars, often hidden from view at street level, for which discovery is as much a part of the experience as anything else.
![Kosoan Cafe](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/18614315850_7ed38913fd_b.jpg)
On a recent stroll around Jiyugaoka (自由が丘) in Meguro ward, I came across an extraordinary cafe reminiscent of something from Edo period Kyoto.
![Pretty Courtyard](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/18614307710_7589b57c70_b.jpg)
Kosoan (古桑庵) is housed in a traditional wooden building overlooking a quaint garden.
![Contemplation](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/18179430904_0dca699a91_b.jpg)
![Shoes Off!](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/18181376423_2c8681562c_b.jpg)
Shoes off at the main entrance since the entire cafe floor is covered by tatami mats.
![Ladies Who Lunch](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/18804615841_d38ee93ef0_b.jpg)
The interior is decorated with traditional Japanese dolls, wooden chests and swords. Whether the gaggle of ladies in attendance had any need for the latter I’m not sure!
![Ice Matcha](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/18614249318_e88ca053cb_b.jpg)
Ice matcha with served with a red bean sweet
![Warm Matcha](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/18614249628_239cd98636_b.jpg)
Hot matcha served with white glutinous rice balls and red bean paste (shiratama zenzai) – the small side dish is salted kelp (shio kombu) which is served as a palette cleanser.
![Breezy Fish](https://randomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr_backup/18614250438_42f73cd2ea_b.jpg)
The perfect spot to while away a lazy Sunday afternoon.
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