For true connoisseurs of the leaf, Tea Shop Shun (紅茶の店しゅん) is an essential pilgrimage in Morioka. Since 1985, this dedicated black tea specialist has been a cornerstone of the city’s sophisticated café scene, known for its high-ceilinged, tranquil interior and a selection of teas, including Darjeeling and Uva, many sourced directly from Indian tea estates by the owner. While the shop’s signature curry and homemade scones aren’t plant-based, if you are looking to appreciate a master-brewed seasonal flush or a fragrant straight tea, Tea Shop Shun offers a refined atmosphere that remains one of Morioka’s most authentic cultural experiences.
About Tea Shop Shun
Tea Shop Shun has a stylish logo that piques passersby’s curiosity about what kind of café it is. The interior space is nicely decorated and offers a relaxing, homey setting. The café is particular about its tea leaves. The owner, Matsumoto-san (松本征子), was surprised by how delicious black tea could be. So, she often travels to India to visit the tea farms. In particular, the first flush was used to make the Darjeeling here, so it will be one of the nicest cups of black tea you will ever try!
Besides the ones that are commonly found in supermarkets, Tea Shop Shun also serves Uva and Dimbula.
Tea Shop Shun’s Dining Space
The two-story café has a stylish but homy interior. There is a grand piano in the center, and if you go up the wooden staircase in front of it, you will find the second floor divided into two halves. One side of the seating has no wall, allowing you to see the ceiling beams and creating a sense of openness.
The building is a renovated old townhouse. The beams are from the previous Japanese house. The layout and stairs are based on Matsumoto-san’s ideas. Apparently, the unique staircase was used to shoot one of the scenes in the movie, And Life Goes On (劇場版 そして、生きる)!
Standing in front of the staircase, you will surely become indecisive about whether to head left or right. Life made it easy for us. There was only one vacant table when we got there (´▽｀*).
Enjoying Tea and Food at Tea Shop Shun
Because Tea Shop Shun doesn’t offer any vegetarian light meals, we asked the staff to customize their Gratin-style rice dish (ココットのドリア風) for us by removing the eggs and bacon. Matsumoto-san was very relieved after learning we still enjoyed the dish without meat and eggs.
All of their light meal items come with a cup of cold-brewed black tea and finely cut seasoned salad. The tea was perfectly brewed, light enough for refreshment but still full of flavor. We were unsure about the salad based on its appearance, but it turned out to be nicely seasoned!
Moreover, if you order two pots of tea, the tea pots will come with a letter attached to the lid. It is the smartest and the cutest way to label the order!
The staff was kind enough to attach the letter U to our Uva tea after we asked for it (´▽｀*).
If you eat eggs and dairy, order a set of their scones. While they take time to prepare because the scones are only baked after an order is received, what beats the freshly baked scones? Biting into a hot scone with jam and clotted cream is heaven.
Their chiffon cake is really nice too!
Refer to HERE for Tea Shop Shun’s menu.
Tea Shop Shun’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Tea Shop Shun is open from 11 am to 8 pm from Thursday to Monday.
- From December to March, it closes at 7 pm.
- If Tuesday or Wednesday is a public holiday, it will open.
- The tearoom is a 3-minute walk from the bus stop, Morioka Bus Center (盛岡バスセンター).
- From Morioka-jō Castle Site Park, it is a 5-minute walk.
Discover the Must-Visit Attractions in Morioka
When you hear of Morioka, wanko soba noodles, and Morioka cold noodles are probably the first two things that come to mind. But the city isn’t just about food. It also has many cultural attractions, hot springs, nature and more!
So refer to our Morioka article for ideas about where to stop by when visiting Iwate Prefecture’s capital city!
