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Amazing experience. Was roaming around to find so many great things and was even given complimentary tea. I was also offered help choosing between matchas and given a very good explanation that helped me learn about their differences. I ended up very satisfied with my purchase (so much that I came back the following week to buy more and will be putting in an online order to gift to my fellow matcha latte lovers and stock up for myself haha). Can't believe I've been coming to JapanTown for so many years and never visited the store until now. It's my favorite go-to now whenever I'm back home in the city :)
Cute little shop in Japantown offering tea and tea things. Great place to stop by to pick up gifts for any tea lover in your life. Tea tastes better when you brew from loose leaf. This shop has everything you need to transition away from teabags. Friendly knowledgeable staff to answer all your questions. Parking can be challenging at times. Try your luck with street parking, or park in the underground garage.
This is still my FAVORITE Japanese tea shop. They have the best quality loose teas, beautiful handmade tea cups & sets, tea accessories, so many cute cat items, and it's the perfect place to buy gifts. Staff is super friendly and helpful.
When my wife and I decided to return home to Hawaii, I was most upset that I would no longer live down the street from ChaTo. As it turns out, ChaTo delivers to anywhere in the U.S. FOR FREE! Amazing!!! I continue to order all of my green tea (matcha, genmaicha, houjicha, sencha, gyokuro) from ChaTo, and I'm so thrilled to continue my support of this wonderful small business. Thank you so much for the incredible customer service, ChaTo! I'm a fan for life.
I haven't been to Tekuno in Irving street just yet. After I overcame my hour long eye exam, I quickly walked up to J-town and had a Maiko Special just to cool my head. I have yet to visit some of J-town's attractive businesses in the right time and place. Thus, ChaTo was where I head to before it closes by early evening. I been to ChaTo several times and I never purchased anything from this tea ware shop, until this time. All smiles to a sweet Japanese merchant every time I set foot. What to chose? Strainer, teapot, or just plain authentic Japanese loose leaf teas? Since I have a purpose, I chose the Yuzamashi (tea bowl with a spout). The cheapest one to purchase was the reddish brown. Good for steeping teas, but acts like a chawan (matcha bowl). And with the very cheap chashaku (bamboo powdered tea scoop), I got a free mini pouch of loose leaf hojicha. How nice! I couldn't thank the female merchant enough. I might come back to ChaTo to still do some window shopping before I actually make a splendid purchase on the next day. This family owned tea ware shop had been a good place to sample any loose leaf tea. Tourists are welcome to try if there's any.
Amazing store and even more amazing people. I didn't know much about matcha other than I love to drink it, but boy did I know the whole process after I visited ChaTo. I got all stocked up on some good teas as well as bowls and mixers. Wonderful quality of goods and such a welcoming feeling as you enter. They offered me some great tea as I came in to their shop to browse, and naturally it was so good, I bought a bag. I will of course be back to to stock up. Support this business. You guys are great!
Glad to have found ChaTo during our visit to Japantown! The employees (possibly owners?) we're super nice and gave us a sample of houjicha cold brew tea. Wow!! It was so good and has a natural sweetness to it. I ended buying a bag along with the glass filter-in-a-bottle. I'm a sucker for delicious tea!
I can't say enough good things about Chato. This family owned tea shop in the Japantown mall helped me uncover my love for Japanese coldbrew teas (and I now drink them almost every day!). Their free samples and helpful brewing instructions got me hooked. Their friendly service and amazing selection of high quality Japanese teas is what kept me coming back. During the pandemic, they had to close their storefront, but still took my order and hand delivered it to my apartment. When the wildfire smoke and pandemic were in full force, sipping on coldbrew teas from Chato was one of my daily joys when so many other things weren't an option. My favorites are the genmaicha with matcha and the smoky hojicha (both pictured). I love the genmaicha both warm and cold brewed. I generally drink the hojicha cold. My fiancé prefers the hojicha. These have been great gifts for friends and family as well. Come support this amazing local Japanese tea shop you won't be disappointed!
What a lovely family run business here in the mall! I didn't even realize it existed until I had to go fix my ramen craving at Marufuku. You'll find some beautiful handmade teaware and if you're lucky, a teapot that is as pretty as this one that I came across! Great people.
I love stopping by ChaTo whenever I'm in Japantown (which is pretty often.) The staff are so warm, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. I've bought tea in-store and also now during Shelter in Place I've been buying online and with a gift card! They have a large variety of tea and are very responsive to emails. Another perk of going inside their physical store (besides the people, I always leave with a smile on my face--love those women!) is sampling their tea! They have tea ware and cold brew bottles and more which are not currently shipping during shelter in place. Support this amazing store and benefit from their knowledge and tea supply! They know how to make tea recommendations based on anything and their teas make great gifts too.
Was shopping for some housewarming presents and totally enjoyed my experience at the store. Loved listening to the instructions and information from staff. Staff members were definitely professional and very approachable.
I love this tea shop! I tried their hojicha at a restaurant down the block and it was sooo good that I had to visit the shop to get a bag. I chatted with the owner and she helped me find the hojicha I was looking for and when I asked for suggestions for regular green tea, she pulled out a few options, shared their details, and let me sniff them. I picked up a wooden tea spoon and a lovely tea canister as well. They bagged everything up for me and threw in a genmaicha sample. I'll definitely be returning for more loose leaf tea and to support this shop. ChaTo is also a great place to pick up tea gifts as they have a variety of wonderful tea accessories.
This is a cute little tea shop in Japantown that has a variety of tea mugs, tea sets and good quality tea, The staff were really friendly and greeted us right away, offering us samples of genmaicha. There were more pitchers in the back near the cash register, and she warmly told us we'd be welcome to try more tea. I was actively walking around the store, partly because there's so much to look at and partly because I was trying to fight off a food coma courtesy of our meal at Udon Mugizo. The staff were really friendly and kept offering me more tea samples, which were all cool and refreshing, a nice way to fight off food coma. Husband ended up buying some genmaicha and my mother in law got a cute tea canister. I recommend stopping by this place, even if it's just to browse, on your next visit to Japantown.
What a lovely place to browse! So many gorgeous ceramics and the employees really know their stuff. They gave us some samples of cold brewed barley tea (SO GOOD) and then my partner talked tea with them for a while before deciding on a sencha purchase. They knew how to answer her specific questions and make a good recommendation! read more
Business owner information
Sachiko G.
Hi Taylor! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a kind…
Came here to shop for matcha accessories and the staff were so nice and helpful! They were amazing at explaining different products in the store. They have a great selection of matcha bowls and other drink ware, perfect for gifts or for yourself. Will be my go-to store for tea and tea accessories. read more
Business owner information
Sachiko G.
Hi Jasmin! Thank you for your kind words! It makes us happy to know…
Cute and intimate shop selling teas, tea pots, tea cups and anything related to teas. Located on the upper level of the Japantown Center Kinokuniya Building. I purchased two tea cups with the Japanese cat for my sister as gifts. It was wrapped nicely in tissue paper. I think she likes them. They are pricey but well made. Great place to shop for house warming gifts and tea lovers. read more
Amazing experience. Was roaming around to find so many great things and was even given complimentary tea. I was also offered help choosing between matchas and given a very good explanation that helped me learn about their differences. I ended up very satisfied with my purchase (so much that I came back the following week to buy more and will be putting in an online order to gift to my fellow matcha latte lovers and stock up for myself haha). Can't believe I've been coming to JapanTown for so many years and never visited the store until now. It's my favorite go-to now whenever I'm back home in the city :) read more
Business owner information
Sachiko G.
We're so happy to hear that you've had good experiences while…
Cute little shop in Japantown offering tea and tea things. Great place to stop by to pick up gifts for any tea lover in your life. Tea tastes better when you brew from loose leaf. This shop has everything you need to transition away from teabags. Friendly knowledgeable staff to answer all your questions. Parking can be challenging at times. Try your luck with street parking, or park in the underground garage. read more
2 years ago
This is still my FAVORITE Japanese tea shop. They have the best quality loose teas, beautiful handmade tea cups & sets, tea accessories, so many cute cat items, and it's the perfect place to buy gifts. Staff is super friendly and helpful. read more
When my wife and I decided to return home to Hawaii, I was most upset that I would no longer live down the street from ChaTo. As it turns out, ChaTo delivers to anywhere in the U.S. FOR FREE! Amazing!!! I continue to order all of my green tea (matcha, genmaicha, houjicha, sencha, gyokuro) from ChaTo, and I'm so thrilled to continue my support of this wonderful small business. Thank you so much for the incredible customer service, ChaTo! I'm a fan for life. read more
I haven't been to Tekuno in Irving street just yet. After I overcame my hour long eye exam, I quickly walked up to J-town and had a Maiko Special just to cool my head. I have yet to visit some of J-town's attractive businesses in the right time and place. Thus, ChaTo was where I head to before it closes by early evening. I been to ChaTo several times and I never purchased anything from this tea ware shop, until this time. All smiles to a sweet Japanese merchant every time I set foot. What to chose? Strainer, teapot, or just plain authentic Japanese loose leaf teas? Since I have a purpose, I chose the Yuzamashi (tea bowl with a spout). The cheapest one to purchase was the reddish brown. Good for steeping teas, but acts like a chawan (matcha bowl). And with the very cheap chashaku (bamboo powdered tea scoop), I got a free mini pouch of loose leaf hojicha. How nice! I couldn't thank the female merchant enough. I might come back to ChaTo to still do some window shopping before I actually make a splendid purchase on the next day. This family owned tea ware shop had been a good place to sample any loose leaf tea. Tourists are welcome to try if there's any. read more
Amazing store and even more amazing people. I didn't know much about matcha other than I love to drink it, but boy did I know the whole process after I visited ChaTo. I got all stocked up on some good teas as well as bowls and mixers. Wonderful quality of goods and such a welcoming feeling as you enter. They offered me some great tea as I came in to their shop to browse, and naturally it was so good, I bought a bag. I will of course be back to to stock up. Support this business. You guys are great! read more
Glad to have found ChaTo during our visit to Japantown! The employees (possibly owners?) we're super nice and gave us a sample of houjicha cold brew tea. Wow!! It was so good and has a natural sweetness to it. I ended buying a bag along with the glass filter-in-a-bottle. I'm a sucker for delicious tea! read more
I can't say enough good things about Chato. This family owned tea shop in the Japantown mall helped me uncover my love for Japanese coldbrew teas (and I now drink them almost every day!). Their free samples and helpful brewing instructions got me hooked. Their friendly service and amazing selection of high quality Japanese teas is what kept me coming back. During the pandemic, they had to close their storefront, but still took my order and hand delivered it to my apartment. When the wildfire smoke and pandemic were in full force, sipping on coldbrew teas from Chato was one of my daily joys when so many other things weren't an option. My favorites are the genmaicha with matcha and the smoky hojicha (both pictured). I love the genmaicha both warm and cold brewed. I generally drink the hojicha cold. My fiancé prefers the hojicha. These have been great gifts for friends and family as well. Come support this amazing local Japanese tea shop you won't be disappointed! read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Sachiko G.
Hi Fred, thank you so much for your review. We appreciate your kind…
4 years ago
What a lovely family run business here in the mall! I didn't even realize it existed until I had to go fix my ramen craving at Marufuku. You'll find some beautiful handmade teaware and if you're lucky, a teapot that is as pretty as this one that I came across! Great people. read more
I love stopping by ChaTo whenever I'm in Japantown (which is pretty often.) The staff are so warm, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. I've bought tea in-store and also now during Shelter in Place I've been buying online and with a gift card! They have a large variety of tea and are very responsive to emails. Another perk of going inside their physical store (besides the people, I always leave with a smile on my face--love those women!) is sampling their tea! They have tea ware and cold brew bottles and more which are not currently shipping during shelter in place. Support this amazing store and benefit from their knowledge and tea supply! They know how to make tea recommendations based on anything and their teas make great gifts too. read more
4 years ago
Was shopping for some housewarming presents and totally enjoyed my experience at the store. Loved listening to the instructions and information from staff. Staff members were definitely professional and very approachable. read more
3 years ago
I love this tea shop! I tried their hojicha at a restaurant down the block and it was sooo good that I had to visit the shop to get a bag. I chatted with the owner and she helped me find the hojicha I was looking for and when I asked for suggestions for regular green tea, she pulled out a few options, shared their details, and let me sniff them. I picked up a wooden tea spoon and a lovely tea canister as well. They bagged everything up for me and threw in a genmaicha sample. I'll definitely be returning for more loose leaf tea and to support this shop. ChaTo is also a great place to pick up tea gifts as they have a variety of wonderful tea accessories. read more
This is a cute little tea shop in Japantown that has a variety of tea mugs, tea sets and good quality tea, The staff were really friendly and greeted us right away, offering us samples of genmaicha. There were more pitchers in the back near the cash register, and she warmly told us we'd be welcome to try more tea. I was actively walking around the store, partly because there's so much to look at and partly because I was trying to fight off a food coma courtesy of our meal at Udon Mugizo. The staff were really friendly and kept offering me more tea samples, which were all cool and refreshing, a nice way to fight off food coma. Husband ended up buying some genmaicha and my mother in law got a cute tea canister. I recommend stopping by this place, even if it's just to browse, on your next visit to Japantown. read more
We came to this store. It's a tea store. They have some really cute things at a very reasonable price. You can tell they have quality items. The owners are very nice and helpful. We purchased some unique pieces I'm happy we found this place. read more
I had a wonderful experience here. The store is full of a wide array of tea and tea accessories. The staff was very kind and helped show me around and explained the flavor profile of each tea. I purchased some matcha and looked forward to trying it. If you are a tea lover, I recommend checking this place out! read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
Sachiko G.
Thank you so much for visiting us, and for your kind words! We are…
3 years ago
My favorite little tea shop! This is a cute shop in J-town that has a wide assortment of cute tea mugs and gifts. My favorite takeaway from this shop was the friendliness of the staff. There is a little old lady who will whip some matcha in front of you with her frother just so you can sample the tea. It was so magical to be able to experience her craft! The store had a lot of cute cat things as well. I had initially left but came back in the same day to make a purchase of a mug because they were so nice and accommodating to my questions I wanted to support them. I wish more stores were friendly like this one, a nice genuine kind of friendliness too not the I want your moneys kind of friendliness. I will be back here to make many more purchases for sure! Thank you to the wonderful staff who make it a delight for shoppers like myself. I would buy from you time and time again because you're just so pleasant! read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
Always a stop whenever I'm in Japantown! The grandmothers who run this store are so sweet and friendly. Everytime I visit, I'm always greeted with a grandmother holding a tray of tiny cups of tea sample. On my last visit, she sold me on the cold brew hojicha. I bought tea-filter cold brew bottle along with a bag of hojicha. They attached a brewing instruction as well as contact info should I have any questions with reproducing the tea. There are also plenty of cute dishware to browse through everytime I stop by. Highly recommend any japantowners with an enthusiasm for tea to visit this chateau of chá. read more
6 years ago
Chato is a familly owned business, a great place to buy some quality tea from japan and learn about the teas and the region they come from Also great selection of beautiful pottery from japan. The folks there are super friendly nice people. And helpful answering questions. They even gave me 2 samples of other teas i was on the fence to try out without even asking. read more
6 years ago
This shop has everything you need to do a tea ceremony. They carry very cute ceramic cups. The store owner lady was very kind and helpful, she taught me how to whisk the matcha the correct way. read more
3 years ago
Business owner information
Sachiko G.
Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience. It…
6 years ago
8 years ago
6 years ago
This place is great! They've got an awesome selection of various teas and a bunch of cups and kettles to drink it with! Look at this cat cup lol I love it. Staff (I think they were the owners of the shop actually) were super nice, helpful, and funny! Check this place out! read more
4 years ago
10 years ago
I really like this tea shop. The service and quality are what I'd expect to get in Japan but...in English! Lots of info on the teas, techniques, and equipment. I got a hold of some Genmaicha and Hojicha along with a Japanese tea cup with filter. I also picked up a special Hario tea bottle for cold brewing. Good Stuff! I'll definitely come back here for my green tea shopping. Fantastic! read more
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More info about ChaTo
1825 Post St
Fl 2, Ste 250
San Francisco, CA 94115
Lower Pacific Heights, Japantown
Directions
(415) 771-8840
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https://www.sfchato.com
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