Pausing on My Usual Route
Walking down Kagurazaka Street, there are moments when I feel like pausing in my tracks.
The reason is the rich aroma of roasted green tea (hojicha) wafting from the storefront of Rakuzan, located right across from Bishamonten. When the nutty, subtly sweet scent reaches me on the breeze, it tempts me to make a detour, thinking, "I think I'll buy some hojicha to take home today."
It's been two years since I moved to Kagurazaka. Although it's a street I walk all the time, whenever I'm wrapped in this fragrance, I still find myself stopping.
While I enjoyed hojicha chilled and crisp during the summer, as the morning and evening air grows cooler, I find myself wanting to brew it warm in a teapot. Warm hojicha serves as a light, refreshing palate cleanser after meals, and when paired with sweet treats, it brings out the best in both. It is a tea our family enjoys no matter the season.
A Taste of Autumn Found Beyond the Fragrance
On days when I buy tea at Rakuzan, extending my walk to Isuzu has become my usual routine.
On this day, displayed at the storefront was kuri mushi yokan (steamed chestnut sweet bean jelly).
Seeing the glossy chestnuts generously embedded inside brings a smile to my face, thinking, "Ah, that season is here already."
I decided to take some home to enjoy alongside the fragrant hojicha.
Kagurazaka is truly a delightful neighborhood for walking.
Even after living here for two years, every stroll reveals new faces and charming shops. That’s why I love to wander without a set destination, letting inviting sights and scents lead me into one detour after another. Before I know it, I'm often heading home full of quiet satisfaction, carrying a little unexpected delight.
Wandering through the streets guided only by the day's mood adds a comforting splash of color to daily life.
Bringing the Autumn Felt Outside Back Home
Once back home, I set out my favorite dish right away and cut a slice of the steamed chestnut yokan.
I place tea leaves into the teapot and slowly pour in hot water. The moment I lift the lid, the rich, roasted aroma I felt out in the neighborhood now fills the entire room.
Pouring the tea into a cup, I first savor the gentle sweetness of the chestnut before taking a sip of hojicha.
Looking up, I notice that the breeze coming through the window has quietly brought along the crisp cool of autumn.
It feels as though the small autumn moments encountered while walking the streets have followed me all the way home, wrapping me in a warm, deeply satisfying comfort.
Once again, the season where a hot cup of tea tastes better than ever has arrived.
