A cup of milk tea connects people and hearts.
~Sendagaya Monmouth Tea~

This time, we will be introducing "Monmas Tea", a milk tea specialty store located in a straight line from "LAITIER", which we introduced last time . This is the second in our series of introducing shops in Sendagaya, following on from last time.

Mammoth? No, it's Monmouth.

It was exactly this time a year ago when I was strolling around Sendagaya.
My legs were tired from all the walking... I was thinking it was about time to take a break...
"Would you like to try a sample?" I was asked.
When I encountered Monmouth Tea I felt like a goddess had descended before me.

Monmas Tea is a milk tea shop that opened in 2006.
Coffee stands are becoming more and more common these days, but this milk tea stand is quite rare.

First of all, what is Monmouth?

There is a street in London, England called "Monmouth Street".

This place is called Seven Dials and is a 4-minute walk from Covent Garden subway station. The street to the right of the white building in the center is Monmouth Street. There is also the flagship store of the famous skincare brand Neal's Yard.
https://goo.gl/maps/yWHk9gwnDss

Monmouth Street was a place that the owner, Mr. Kashiwai, came across while traveling alone and decided to open a milk tea shop.
Kashiwai happened to come across a shop where the staff were very friendly and felt a sense of nostalgia for the street, so he decided that when he returned to Japan, he would open a shop in a similar location.

That place is here, in Sendagaya.

View from Monmouth Tea. Take the Hachiko Bus "Jingu no Mori Route" from Monosus and get off at Sendagaya Social Education Center, and Monmouth Tea will be right in front of you.

Monmouth Street in London and Sendagaya in Japan. They are similar in that they are both at the intersection of many streets and there are no tall buildings around. That's why the shop was named "Monmouth Tea" after the name of the street.
( Click here for more details on this wonderful encounter.)

The pillar of the building on the corner where the Hachiko bus is about to turn may also resemble the ^Seven Dials building that can be seen from Monmouth Street.

*Seven Dials: A place where seven narrow streets come together like a star, with a column in the center. The pillar has seven clocks (dials) on it, hence the name "Seven Dials."

“make delicious things, make you smile”

Making delicious food and making people happy.
This is something that Monmouth Tea values.

Recently updated menu sign

Monmouth tea is a little different from your regular milk tea.
The taste and aroma of the tea leaves is very strong, and the scent of roses wafts through your nose.
When I tried it for the first time, I was surprised by how strong the flavor was, and was shocked the moment I took a sip.

From the left, Monmouth tea, Monmouth squash, iced wieners, Monmouth parfait

Of course, this Monmouth tea is enough to satisfy you, but we'd like to introduce some cold drinks that are perfect for the upcoming season.

◆ Monmouth squash...lemon tea x soda A refreshing squash that's perfect for summer, with the direct acidity of lemon.

◆ Ice Wiener...Monmouth tea x whipped cream The whipped cream is not too sweet and does not melt easily, so you can enjoy the cream until the very end.

◆ Monmouth Parfait...Ice Wiener x Ice Cream You can choose from the following ice cream flavors: vanilla, black tea, brown kinako, caramel, and cookie.
The black tea flavor has the same rich taste as Monmouth Tea! I'm also interested in the black sesame kinako powder.

And this is Monmouth Tea's CEO, Mr. Kashiwai.

The word "CEO" embroidered on the apron warms my heart. A boy from the neighborhood, who seems to be on his way home, greets Kashiwai enthusiastically. Many people call out to him while he is talking.

We had a chance to talk to him briefly when there was a lull in the customer traffic.
When I asked him, "What are your preferences?" he simply replied, "I don't have any preferences."

Kashiwai: If I could run the shop for 10,000 days, I could say that it was a commitment, but it's only been about 4,000 days. I can't say that I'm "committed" yet, and I can't say it lightly.

When I talk to shop owners, the first thing I want to ask is "what is the shop's specialty?", so this completely turned my thinking upside down. 10,000 days is about 27 years...

Kashiwai: Rather than being particular about anything, I just want to make people happy with delicious food. That's the thought that I have.

He added with a smile.

Kashiwai
I want the staff who work with me to think of themselves as stage actresses when they're working at the counter.

Every day, drama unfolds in the store.
The staff at Monmouth Tea are all very cheerful and kind, and when I order or while waiting for my milk tea, I feel like I'm visiting a friend, and I can be myself. There are always regulars sitting at the stand and chatting happily.

Just on this day, a businessman who came alone from far away told me, "For me, this is an oasis for my soul." Furthermore, a couple who I thought were regulars because they were familiar with the store, actually came to the store for the first time and asked me, "Are you going to write an article about this?"

Through Monmouth Tea, conversations between people naturally arise and smiles appear everywhere.
"If I'm going to run a store, I'm going to sell laughs, not hurt things."
Kashiwai was also said to be...
Smiles are a great way to connect with people, which is why Monmouth Tea has so many regular customers.

While we were listening to his story, many people called out to Kashiwai, including elementary school children, businessmen, and a woman who appeared to be a mother on a bicycle.

And then, on the way home after listening to our story.
When I woke up, I felt my spine straighten up.
I felt like I had been given a push forward and I felt refreshed.

Drinking milk tea creates bonds with people.
And your heart will be warmed. You can experience such moments at Monmouth Tea.

Now, grab your milk tea and head to Hatomori Hachiman Shrine!

I visited Hatomori Hachiman Shrine, located diagonally across from Monmouth Tea, on a different day from the one I spoke to.
(Kashiwai also updates the shrine on Twitter every day!)
The moment you pass through the large torii gate, you will feel a coolness that makes you feel like you are in another world.

What's more, the fortune slips at this shrine are in the shape of a pigeon. So cute! (100 yen each)

...It was good luck.

As such, we recommend buying some Monmouth tea and a tart and taking a break inside.
You can have a very relaxing time.

American cherry tart. The perfect size, it's just the right amount to fill you up.

Monmouth Tea's opening hours are from 7:00 to 24:00.
What's more, it's open all year round, including New Year's and Obon holidays, so it seems that people come from all over the country just to have Monmouth tea during the holidays.

According to Kashiwai, "There is meaning in continuing."
It is because they continue to do so that Monmouth Tea never runs out of customers.

Monmouth Tea

1-21-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
03-3478-2357
Open all year round 7:00～24:00
http://www.monmouth.jp/index.html
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