When people think of visiting Japan, TeamLab Borderless is often high on the to-do list for Tokyo – it’s one of the most popular immersive art exhibits in the world right now. But did you know that hidden inside this dreamy digital art world is a secret tea house? That’s right, En Tea House isn’t just hidden in the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo, it’s actually nestled deep within the exhibition. Read on to join the Japankuru team on a recent journey to this magical Tokyo experience.

Finding This Hidden Gem (and Almost Missing It!)

En Tea House truly lives up to the “hidden” label. When a member of the Japankuru team visited TeamLab Borderless this spring, it took her a while to find the unique little cafe, as it’s located deep inside the digital installational exhibit area. Importantly, you absolutely need an entry ticket for TeamLab Borderless if you want to visit this tea house.

Why did this ambitious Japankuru writer almost miss En Tea House? Well, not only is it a little bit hard to find inside the maze of rooms and changing projections, but you need to make sure you can pay for it once you finally find the shop entrance! Make sure to take some form of payment with you as you explore – if you leave your wallet in the locker before entering, and don’t have any of Japan’s mobile payment options, you might be out of luck! For one heart-breaking moment, our poor Thai writer thought she wouldn’t get to try any of the TeamLab tea after all! Fortunately, a friend had their Suica card on hand, and the balance was enough to pay for two people – what a hero!

^{▶︎ Pro Tip: Always keep your wallet or some form of payment on you, especially if you’re planning to stop by En Tea House! If you don’t want to be stuck carrying around a heavy wallet, charging up your Suica card before the visit and then sticking it in a pocket is a convenient way to pay.}

This visit happened in the evening (around 7 pm on a Sunday), and it was relatively quiet. There was no line for the tea house, and plenty of open seats, which meant there was no rush to get up and make room for the next customers – perfect if you want to take your time, take pictures, and enjoy the moment.

The Menu at TeamLab’s Tea House

Customers at En Tea House can choose to order just a drink, or get a set that comes with a drink and a small bowl of ice cream. Everything on the menu is vegan (yes, really, even the “gelato”!), which means those with dietary restrictions and dairy allergies can enjoy the tea house too!

Drinks (all 600 yen):

・Cold Brew Green Tea
・Cold Brew Yuzu Green Tea
・Green Tea (Yuzu)
・Roasted Green Tea Chamomile・Rice Milk Latte
・Roasted Green Tea Lemongrass・Rice Milk Latte
・Barley Tea Rice Milk Latte

Drink + Ice Cream Sets (1,300 yen):

・Frozen Matcha Coconut (Matcha and Coconut Milk Gelato) + 1 tea of your choice
・Frozen Yuzu Matcha (Matcha, Yuzu, and Oat Milk Gelato) + 1 tea of your choice

^{▶︎ You can read more about the tea profiles here. We recommend those with dietary restrictions take a look before visiting, just to be safe!}

After ordering, before being seated, you’re handed a small jar filled with the dry tea blend that you just ordered, so you can enjoy the fragrance of the tea while waiting, before it ever touches your lips! Once inside, a staff member will come by to collect the jar, and before you know it, your tea has arrived!

Art in a Teacup

Here’s where the magic happens: the En Tea House staff first places an empty teacup in front of you, before pouring in your tea of choice. But as the liquid flows in and pools in the small cup, a flower bud sprouts to life, and digital blooms begin to grow inside the little dish. When you lift the cup to take a sip, the flowers scatter and the petals drift away across the surface of the table. Flowers will continue to bloom as long as there’s still life-giving liquid in your cup, but when you finish your tea, they vanish!

The type of flower “growing” in the tea house changes periodically, offering a new experience each time you visit!

Customers who order an ice cream set get an additional interactive art piece to enjoy as well! Instead of flowers, the digital branches of a tea bush burst from your gelato bowl. Move the cup or take a bite, and the branch with its brilliant green tea leaves will wither, and eventually disappear. Butterflies flutter between your tea and ice cream cups and in late autumn, if you’re lucky, you might even witness the flowers of the tea plant blooming digitally across the tabletop.

^{▶︎ A limited quantity of each menu item is available each day, so some items may be sold out later in the day. Ice cream is only available as part of a set (not sold separately), and each person is only allowed a maximum of one tea and one ice cream per visit.}

En Tea House: Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of TeamLab’s art, this little cafe hidden away in the heart of Borderless is absolutely worth trying. The prices are reasonable, the tea quality is great, and the experience is both interactive and beautiful – perfect for sharing on social media, if you are so inclined. Plus, it’s a great way to rest and recharge after wandering through the exhibits, especially when you’ve been on your feet all day exploring Tokyo!

TeamLab Borderless: Mori Building Digital Art Museum
Azabudai Hills B1, 1-2-4 Azabudai, Minato City, Tokyo
Hours:
　Exhibitions: 9:00 – 21:00
　En Tea House: 10:00 – 21:00
TeamLab Borderless Website | En Tea House Website

For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don’t forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!

^{_{Original Article in Thai by Patnaree Ngamjitsuksrii
English Edition by Sophia Appelbaum}}