Every girl feels like a princess! Afternoon tea at a historical hotel in Kyoto

The term "nun life" has been coined, and even in the Corona Disaster, hotels and cafes that offer afternoon tea are so busy that reservations are impossible.
There are many elaborate afternoon teas in Kyoto, ranging from expensive to reasonably priced, but the one introduced here is the afternoon tea at Dessert Cafe Chorakukan, which is the author's favorite in Kyoto.

Let me tell you why it's great...â

What is Chorakukan?

Chorakukan is located in a corner of Maruyama Park in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto.
It was built in 1909 as the villa of Kibei Murai, a businessman who made his fortune as a tobacco magnate.

The Chorakukan also served as a guest house for domestic and foreign guests.
People you have seen in textbooks, such as His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Rockefeller, Hirobumi Ito, Kaoru Inoue, and Shigenobu Okuma, have all visited here.

In fact, the name "Chorakukan" was given by Hirobumi Ito.
It is said that Hirobumi Ito, who stayed at the Chorakukan immediately after its completion, was so impressed by the view from the pavilion that he wrote a poem, "If you play in this pavilion, your pleasure will be long and fruitful.
The flat plaque on which he wrote "Chorakukan" still hangs above the door of the "Smoking Room" in Chorakukan.

It was reborn as a hotel in the Showa period, and in addition to accommodations, it has a restaurant, bar, boutique, and dessert café.

Why Chorakukan is loved

(1) Wonderful space

The first reason why Chorakukan continues to be loved is its space.
It incorporates various European architectural styles and was said to surpass Tokyo's Rokumeikan when it was built.
The elegant mansion, including its numerous furnishings, was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Kyoto City in 1986.

The guest rooms, dining room, ballroom, study, and sunroom are located on the first floor; the ladies' room, guest rooms, and art room on the second floor; and a Japanese-style room in the shoin-zukuri style on the third floor. The first-floor guest room is particularly beautifully decorated in the Louis XV (Rococo) style, including the fireplace and ceiling reliefs with botanical patterns.

This time we visited the hotel for afternoon tea, but when we asked if we could take a tour of the building when we made a reservation by phone, we were told that "you are free to visit the rooms on the first and second floors that are not occupied by other guests". We were actually able to look around the first and second floors at our leisure.

One of the most impressive features was the stained glass.
What a surprise, this is a restroom! I was enchanted by the beauty of the seaside scenery! I couldn't help but take a picture of it.

And this is the "Guest Room" where we had afternoon tea.
Located near the entrance, this is the largest existing Western-style pavilion in Japan.
It is in the tradition of the drawing rooms in European countries where women used to chat after dinner, and was mainly used as a room for entertaining women.

The pink color scheme will make you feel like a princess for a short while. The chandelier is made by Baccarat!
Today, the space is dedicated to afternoon tea and offers a wonderful time for today's women.

(2) Wonderful menu of offerings

We cannot help but mention the high quality of the food and drinks served as well as the space.
The afternoon tea changes monthly, and this is the afternoon tea for the month the author visited.

First, choose an aperitif from either sparkling wine or non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
And of course, tea is served by the pot.
There are more than 10 varieties to choose from, including classic teas such as Darjeeling and Assam, flavored teas such as Rose Petal and Earl Grey, and mixed herbal teas, as well as coffee blends.

First, we selected Chorakukan blended tea, which bears the name of the pavilion.
The natural sweetness and fragrance of the tea is enhanced by the addition of “honeybush,” an organic herb originating in South Africa, to the base of black tea from Sri Lanka.
And the very subtle use of Herend and Okura Tōen items in the pots and cups is also very impressive!

And finally, the food is here!

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Tea and peach mousse, blueberry tart, mango and basil verrine, homemade baked sweets, seasonal fruits

From baked sweets to fruits, the sweets were packed with different flavors and cooking methods, and their gorgeous looks were also very exciting. Each one was full of handmade delicacies that made the most of the characteristics of the ingredients, such as the fruit.

＜2段目：スコーン＞
Two kinds of homemade scones with clotted cream and homemade jam

There are two types of scones: plain and cranberry.
The texture was light and crispy, perfect with clotted cream and homemade jam.
The combination of warm scones and tea is one of the best parts of afternoon tea.

<Plate 3: Finger foods
Sweet corn mousse potage, angel prawn and zucchini cakesalet, caprese-style bruschetta with Nanaya chicken, ham and cucumber sandwich

The mousse potage has the smooth texture of bubbling snow and the sweetness of corn!
The sandwiches were simple enough to be of high quality. The bread and ingredients were well balanced, and the pressed ingredients were exquisite and easy to eat.

Finish with an orange granite!
I could tell that the food and drinks were the result of a great deal of attention to detail in all aspects.
For example, while some afternoon teas do not place much emphasis on the aperitif, the "Vouvray Cuvée Thé" served here was outstanding.

The aroma you feel along with citrus, apricot, and flower aromas is pleasant, and the balance of acidity and fruitiness in the full flavor is exquisite. The taste made me think it was a certain champagne with a familiar yellow label. I have ordered this wine three times since then, and it was a great encounter with a delicious wine.

(3) Wonderful hospitality

The last thing I would like to mention is its hospitality.

For example, the coasters are decorated with old cigarette package designs, and there are a variety of them to take home. It is a small thing, but from this one piece, one can recall the social circles of Mr. Murai, who built this building, and the glamorous guests of that era.

Also, the soft demeanor of the staff and the distance from which they can easily come to you when you want to talk to them is exquisite.
And a smile with a serene laugh is also wonderful.
It may be a cliché, but it made me realize that this is what hospitality is all about.

As I left the entrance, I said to myself, "I want to come back!" I want to come back again!
Although located in the heart of Kyoto, close to Gion and Yasaka Shrine, I felt as if I had visited another world.
Why don't you try a special experience of “dining in a cultural asset“ during your visit to Kyoto?

Store Name:Dessert Cafe Chorakukan
Address: 604 Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
TEL: 075-353-0298

HP:https://www.chourakukan.co.jp/