Motomachi Terrace: A Japanese Tea Café where you can savor Japanese tea and local island ingredients, with both indoor and open-air seating available

Have you ever dreamed of enjoying authentic Japanese tea or matcha on a remote island? Located right by Motomachi Port on Oshima Island, there's a spacious open-air café where you can savor the sea breeze while sipping genuine Japanese tea. Here, you can also try original dishes that merge Japanese tea with local Oshima ingredients. It's a unique café that captures the essence of Japan and the relaxed island lifestyle. On rainy days, you can retreat inside the café, which blends European and Japanese styles from the romantic Taisho era. This café is a branch of the Oshima Camellia Oil Refinery. Why not let Japanese tea refresh you from your travels?

Discover some of the finest matcha and Japanese tea the country has to offer

Let's start by exploring the main types of Japanese tea. Primarily, there are two types: sencha and hojicha. Sencha is a popular green tea in Japan, grown in direct sunlight and made from fresh young leaves. The tea leaves are carefully picked and dried in several stages to ensure the highest quality. In contrast, hojicha is a roasted green tea, known for its mild flavor and less bitterness, making it ideal for those who prefer a gentler taste.

Sencha varieties include "Yasuragi" from Shizuoka, "Yame" from Fukuoka, and "Kabuse" from Kyoto. For hojicha lovers, there's "Kyo Hoji" from Kyoto. There's also "Uguisu Genmai," a blend from Kyoto and Shizuoka, and "Gyokuro," a premium tea. If you're interested in matcha, the "Matcha Hanazo Mukashi" from Kyoto is highly recommended for its rich, stone-ground flavor.

Sweet drinks made from Japanese tea or matcha are irresistibly addictive

For those with a sweet tooth, here's something special for you: treat yourself to a delightful whipped latte float with a twist! Choose from either matcha or hojicha tea mixed with the creamy, exclusive Oshima milk.

Picture the zesty flavor of matcha green tea combined with the creamy sweetness of whipped cream—it's like a celebration in your mouth! And for an extra treat, top it off with some matcha green tea ice cream. It's a delicious combination that's simply irresistible. So, why wait? Indulge in this creamy, dreamy delight today! The matcha or hojicha whipped latte float is available for 770 yen. Also, you can enjoy a latte made with Oshima milk and either green tea or hojicha—without whipped cream—for 660 yen, served hot or cold.

Deliciously Decadent Traditional Japanese desserts(Wagashi) and Japanese tea sets

After hiking on Mt. Mihara, cycling along the coast, or simply arriving on the island, you might find yourself craving something sweet.

For a taste of traditional Japanese desserts with a local twist, try the Motomachi Anmitsu. Originating from the Meiji era (1868-1912), Anmitsu is a delightful treat. The version offered in Motomachi includes Shiratama (white rice balls), green tea jelly, and Oshima milk ice cream, all topped with sweet red bean paste and a generous drizzle of molasses. The natural sweetness of these ingredients is complemented perfectly by a serving of bitter Japanese tea, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. The Motomachi Anmitsu set is priced at 1,100 yen.

The menu includes:
Matcha Kuromitsu (black sugar syrup) Parfait with Oshima milk ice cream for 1,320 yen.
Special matcha jelly made with Kyoto green tea for 880 yen.

A selection of typical Japanese light meals and Japanese tea to recharge your energy

If you enjoy dining on Oshima Island or anywhere in Japan but are concerned about the health effects of eating out too often, consider trying a light Japanese meal. Many Japanese people opt for dishes like Ochazuke and Onigiri as lighter meal options.

You might already be familiar with Onigiri, which are rice balls. But what about Ochazuke? This traditional Japanese dish involves pouring hot green tea or dashi (a simple Japanese broth) over cooked rice, usually topped with various ingredients. It's celebrated for its simplicity, versatility, and comforting qualities.

At Motomachi Terrace, you can enjoy Ochazuke with salmon and Oshima Island Nori seaweed, served with Japanese tea for 1,320 yen. Also tempting is the rice ball topped with salmon and kelp, seasoned with salt from Oshima Island, available for 990 yen. This set also includes white dumplings as a snack. What a generous offering!

Versatile Dining at the Oshima Camellia Oil Refinery: Enjoy meals on the terrace and cozy, traditional Japanese indoor dining

The terrace is situated right beside Motomachi Port, the main port of Oshima Island, surrounded by souvenir shops and restaurants. If the weather is clear, you should definitely take the opportunity to enjoy the delicious flavor of Japanese tea here while breathing in the fresh air.

Even if it rains, you can still enjoy Japanese tea. The Oshima Tsubaki store, which operates the Motomachi Terrace, also has an indoor café. This café is styled in Taisho Romantic fashion, a blend of European and Japanese elements from the early 1910s, offering a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of old Japan. You can indulge in drinks, meals and sweets. Choose whatever suits your mood. (The indoor café has 6 seats.)

*Swimwear is not allowed in the café.