Ginza WAKO Tea Salon: Tabelog Top 100 Cafe with Queue Tips & Full Cake Menu
Tokyo Mate
WAKO Ginza Annex Tea Salon is a premium cake-focused cafe located in Ginza — a landmark neighborhood synonymous with elegance. Selected for the Tabelog Cafe Top 100 in both 2021 and 2022, this is a cafe with serious pedigree.
Thanks to its digital queue system, you don't have to stand in line — just take a number and explore the surrounding area while you wait. Here's everything you need to know before your visit.
📌 This post is part of the "Complete Guide to Ginza" series. If you're curious about the full itinerary, check out the guide below first!
👉 Complete Guide to Ginza: Shopping, Dining & Local Tips
1. Essential Info
✔️ Awards & Ratings
- Tabelog Cafe Top 100: Selected in 2021, 2022
- Google Rating: 4.3 (431 reviews)
✔️ Business Details
- Hours: 10:30 AM – Last order 7:00 PM
- ※ Sundays & holidays: Last order 6:30 PM
- Closed: Open year-round (no regular holidays)
- Credit cards accepted
- Seating: 52 seats
- No preschool children allowed
- No service charge
- Location: WAKO ANNEX 2F
2. Location & How to Get There
WAKO Tea Salon is located right in front of Ginza Station Exit B1.
The WAKO ANNEX 2F is where the Tea Salon is. When walking from the Ginza main street, look for the iconic WAKO Department Store with its clock tower. WAKO was founded in 1881 as a watch shop by the Seiko Group, and the Annex is its adjacent building.
3. How to Wait: Digital Queue System
When you arrive at the 2F entrance, you'll find a digital queue system. It supports multiple languages — enter your party size and take a numbered ticket.
Scan the QR code on your ticket to check your queue position in real time. If you don't arrive within 10 minutes of being called, your reservation is automatically canceled — so keep an eye on it!
The great thing is you can explore Ginza's department stores and duty-free shops while waiting for your turn.
4. Menu Guide
✔️ Seasonal Mini Desserts (with drink, ¥4,950)
Available: Dec 1, 2024 – Jan 15, 2025 (seasonal limited, limited quantity)
A clock tower-shaped dessert arrangement inspired by WAKO's iconic symbol, featuring a selection of cake, sweets, and signature chocolates.
✔️ Seasonal Parfait
Starting January, the strawberry parfait is available. Made with fresh Amaou strawberries in season, the parfait delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
✔️ Cake Set Menu
Add ¥1,430 to any cake price for a drink of your choice — a better deal than ordering separately.
※ The following 3 cakes cannot be ordered alone and are only available as a set with a drink.
- Super La France Shortcake — ¥1,320
A shortcake generously filled with Yamagata Prefecture's "Super La France" pears.
♥ Recommended drink: Darjeeling, Fruits Garden, Iced Tea
- Tarte Tatin — ¥1,045
Caramelized apples with a crisp crust.
♥ Recommended drink: Earl Grey, Blended Coffee, Royal Milk Tea
※ Contains alcohol
- Marron Basque Cheesecake — ¥990
A rich cheesecake made with two types of cream cheese and French chestnut paste.
♥ Recommended drink: Keemun, Chamomile, Iced Royal Milk Tea
- Fraisier — ¥1,045
A fresh strawberry shortcake.
♥ Recommended drink: Darjeeling, Fruits Garden, Iced Tea
- Mont Blanc — ¥1,045
Creamy chestnut cream and custard mousse on an almond cake base.
♥ Recommended drink: Keemun, Chamomile, Royal Milk Tea
- Pudding — ¥770
A smooth, vanilla bean-infused pudding.
♥ Recommended drink: Earl Grey, Lemongrass Herb Tea, Rooibos
- Pierre Joseph — ¥1,045
A chocolate cake generously made with cognac.
♥ Recommended drink: Blended Coffee, Assam, Royal Milk Tea
※ Contains alcohol
- Fromage Cru — ¥990
A rich cheesecake made with cream cheese.
♥ Recommended drink: Keemun, Chamomile, Decaf Coffee
- Choux Parisienne — ¥715
A cream puff filled with vanilla bean custard cream.
♥ Recommended drink: Earl Grey, Iced Tea, Rooibos
- Delice Chocolaty — ¥1,045
A dessert made with chocolate mousse and sponge cake.
♥ Recommended drink: Blended Coffee, Keemun, Iced Royal Milk Tea
- Savarin — ¥1,100
A layered dessert with vanilla bean cream and custard cream.
♥ Recommended drink: Fruits Garden, Earl Grey, Lemongrass Herb Tea
※ Contains alcohol
5. Our Dessert Experience
We browsed the Ginza Lotte Duty Free while waiting and headed to WAKO when there were 2 groups left. We were group #17, and the wait was about 1 hour.
We wanted to try the clock tower dessert set, but it was already sold out. Instead, we ordered cake sets — a Darjeeling Straight with Mont Blanc, and coffee with a Marron Basque Cheesecake.
The sweet, nutty flavor of the Marron Basque Cheesecake contrasted beautifully with the bitter coffee, leaving a long, lingering finish.
The Mont Blanc's natural sweetness paired perfectly with the unsweetened Darjeeling Straight — a clean, not-too-sweet combination. Darjeeling Straight goes well with all cream-based shortcakes.
The Darjeeling comes in a teapot — enough for about 3 cups — so you can take your time enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea. Just be careful not to let the leaves steep too long, or the tea becomes astringent.
6. WAKO ANNEX 1F: Cake & Chocolate Shop
The 1F features seasonal cakes made with premium fruits, limited-edition items, and around 30 varieties of chocolates and gift sets.
7. WAKO ANNEX B1F: Gourmet Salon
Under the concept of "Shokuhinkan of Time" (a food gallery celebrating time), this floor showcases products that highlight Japan's seasonal flavors and ingredients that deepen with aging. It's a great spot for unique Ginza souvenirs that you won't find anywhere else.
Wrapping Up
If you're looking for a refined dessert experience in Ginza, WAKO Tea Salon is a must-visit. The combination of premium sweets and shopping in the same building makes it an especially special stop.
🧡 Curious about more things to do in Ginza?
👉 Complete Guide to Ginza: Shopping, Dining & Local Tips
🍓 WAKO's elegant parfaits are wonderful, but if you're looking for a fruit-loaded parfait with great value, compare it with this spot!
👉 Tokyo Kajitsuen Liebel: Strawberry Parfait Guide with Menu Tips & Waiting Tricks
Editor's Note
This article is based on the author's actual experiences and original content from blog.naver.com/tokyomate. It has been translated and adapted to provide authentic travel information about Tokyo for global readers.