This establishment, specialising in specialty tea, opened in July 2018 under the motto 日本の伝統を身近に ('Japanese traditions for everyday life'). It was founded by Sudo-san, a young owner of a tea trading company and a tea ceremony master of the Yabunouchi-ryu school, which originated in Kyoto in the 16th century and continues to preserve techniques that existed long before the 'tea revolution' of Sen no Rikyu. Knowing this, you might expect to see antique shop interiors at YUGEN, but instead, you find yourself surrounded by avant-garde design.

The minimalist spaces embody the philosophical concept of 幽玄 (yūgen)—hidden beauty that can only be grasped intuitively, which lends its name to the establishment. The first floor, designated as a 'tea bar,' has an atmosphere reminiscent of a high-end kappo-style restaurant: a long counter made of light wood, with a place for the master to work directly in front of the guests. The second floor features an authentic tea room with tatami mats, while the third floor houses a shop selling stone and wood items, as well as ceramics by contemporary stylish artisans.

YUGEN also has an online store offering matcha, sencha, and gyokuro, along with tea utensils. Matcha lovers will find not only expensive varieties from Uji but also more affordable options from the southern Kagoshima Prefecture (which, by the way, are the most popular among online buyers from Europe).