I’m so happy I found this onigiri spot! The owner and staff are incredibly friendly, and their kindness truly made my experience super special. I wanted to try their onigiris but needed something Muslim friendly, and the owner went above and beyond, he personally went through each onigiri one by one, checking the ingredients to make sure they were safe for a Muslim diet. Thanks to his efforts, seven onigiris have been confirmed Muslim friendly as I’m writing this review. The owner also seemed genuinely interested and keen on catering to this diet, so keep an eye out! there may be even more Muslim friendly options coming in the future! So far, I’ve tried the kombu onigiri and it was absolutely delicious. The seaweed was super fresh and had the perfect crunch. I also had their sencha tea, which was spot on and incredibly refreshing. You can taste the love that has gone into preparing a delicious meal! [UPDATE: I've tried various other Muslim friendly items now including the miso soup! Super delicious!] The atmosphere is relaxed and cozy, just the kind of place you instantly feel comfortable in. I’m honestly in love with this spot, and I’m already planning to come back here for breakfast every day while I’m in Tokyo. I can’t wait to try the other Muslim friendly onigiri options! A huge thank you to Yuji and the wonderful staff for such a warm and thoughtful experience Highly recommended!
Overview
Matcha And Onigiri(Rice Ball) Cafe Nigicha in Tokyo's bustling Shinjuku district is a charming spot where Japanese culinary tradition meets modern cafe culture. Located on the 1st floor of YKB Shinjuku Gyoen, the café brings together two beloved elements of Japanese cuisine: matcha and onigiri (rice balls). Whether you're a matcha enthusiast or a fan of savory rice balls, this café offers a delightful experience that encapsulates Japan’s culinary heritage while introducing a unique fusion of flavors.
Walking into Matcha And Onigiri(Rice Ball) Cafe Nigicha, the ambiance is instantly welcoming. The space is cozy, with minimalist decor that lets the food shine. As you sit at one of the neatly arranged tables, the café invites you to take a break from the busy streets of Shinjuku and indulge in its comforting offerings. The menu is thoughtfully curated, featuring a variety of matcha-based beverages and a selection of onigiri that perfectly complement each other.
The matcha served here is of exceptional quality, sourced from Kyoto, a region famous for producing some of the best green tea in Japan. The matcha lattes are creamy with just the right balance of earthy bitterness and sweetness, while the cold matcha drinks offer a refreshing twist on the classic beverage. For those looking for something sweeter, the matcha parfaits are a must-try, layered with silky matcha cream, red bean paste, and mochi - a treat that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Equally impressive is the selection of onigiri, which are stuffed rice balls wrapped in a sheet of nori (seaweed). Each bite is a delightful contrast between the warm, soft rice and the flavorful fillings. From the traditional salted salmon to the more adventurous umeboshi (pickled plum) or teriyaki chicken, there’s an onigiri for every palate. The onigiri is made with freshly cooked rice, and the fillings are generous, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.
What sets Matcha And Onigiri(Rice Ball) Cafe Nigicha apart is its ability to seamlessly combine these two elements into a single meal experience. The café serves various sets where you can enjoy both matcha drinks and a selection of onigiri, making it the perfect place for a light meal or a satisfying snack. The matcha pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the onigiri, creating a balanced and harmonious dining experience.
The café also offers a variety of seasonal items, which rotate throughout the year to keep the menu fresh and exciting. During the cherry blossom season, for instance, you might find special sakura-flavored matcha lattes or onigiri with a floral twist.
The service at Matcha And Onigiri(Rice Ball) Cafe Nigicha is always friendly, with staff ready to explain the menu and offer recommendations. It’s clear that the café takes pride in providing high-quality food in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. Whether you're stopping by for a quick matcha latte or settling in for a leisurely meal with friends, you’ll feel right at home.
For those visiting Shinjuku, the café is located at 1 Chome−3−8 Ykb新宿御苑, a short walk from the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. This prime location makes it easy to stop by for a bite after exploring the park or doing some shopping in the area. The café’s accessibility, combined with its delicious menu, makes it a local favorite and a must-visit for tourists seeking an authentic yet modern Japanese café experience.
If you’re looking for a spot to enjoy premium matcha drinks paired with flavorful onigiri, Matcha And Onigiri(Rice Ball) Cafe Nigicha should be at the top of your list. With its welcoming atmosphere, exceptional menu, and prime location, this café offers a taste of Japanese culture in the heart of Tokyo.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Outdoor seating ✓ Delivery ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inPopular for
✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Assistive hearing loop ✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Happy-hour drinks ✓ Happy-hour food ✓ Prepared foods ✓ Quick bite ✓ Vegan options ✓ Vegetarian optionsDining options
✓ Breakfast ✓ Lunch ✓ Catering ✓ Dessert ✓ SeatingAmenities
✓ Gender-neutral toilets ✓ Toilet ✓ Wi-Fi ✓ Wi-FiAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ QuietCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ LGBTQ+ friendly ✓ Tourists ✓ Transgender safe spacePayments
✓ au PAY ✓ Credit cards ✓ dBarai ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ PayPay ✓ Rakuten Pay ✓ Transit IC cards ✓ V-Money ✓ Credit cardsParking
✓ Paid parking lotPets
✓ Dogs allowed ✓ Dogs allowed outsidePhotos
Location
Reviews
I discovered Cafe Nigicha while researching on Google and decided to come here as my first stop on my first solo trip to Japan! Walked 20 minutes and arrived at 10am. Upon my visit I purchased: - two aged salmon onigiri - egg yolk in truffle soy sauce - 2 premium seaweed sheets - iced premium matcha (americano & unsweetened) - iced matcha latte (regular matcha sub for almond milk & unsweetened) Drinks can be sweetened with a traditional Japanese brown sugar syrup at the self serve station. In total I spent 2,500 yen/ $16.16 Starting off with the onigiris - highly recommend the premium seaweed for 100 yen. Wrapped around the perfectly cooked short grain rice and umami salty salmon. Minimal ingredients where quality shines through. Pairs perfectly with the matcha where the clean bitterness of the matcha cuts through the saltiness of the onigiri. Between the premium and regular matcha - they’re both great. For first time matcha drinkers - I recommend getting the latte with sweetener but if you’re an experienced matcha drinker like me, the premium matcha is so pleasantly smooth. This matcha is more on the umami side where notes of seaweed shines through. Extremely clean with spacious seating. Very solo travel and English speaking friendly. The owner was also very sweet. There are outlets and WiFi available so it is laptop friendly! Overall I highly recommend coming to Cafe Nigicha for a quick bite and matcha refresh!
This place is amazing! We stopped in for breakfast and it far exceeded our expectations. The aesthetics of the shop and food presentation was phenomenal, but it tasted even better than it looked! We ordered the morning special that came with an onigiri and a pork miso soup. The quality of these food far exceeded anything we’ve found in the US. This spot is also perfect because it’s just next to the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden so you can walk there after you eat!
Where do I even start? As soon as you walk into the shop, you could see tons of beautiful onigiris sitting nearly on the counter waiting to be consumed. Our favourite flavour was pickled Takana leaf with spicy roe. The flavour was elevated with a cup of matcha which also had a wide variety to choose from. Honestly, you cannot leave Tokyo without trying this place.
suuuuper cute place w amazing vibes! came here for breakfast and i loved their salmon onigiri flavours + their matcha latte was perfectly sweet and creamy the people were so friendly, overall great cafe. also!!! it’s right next to the shinjuku gyoen national garden (literally a 3-5 min walk) which is so beautiful :)
One of the few places that open early for a quick breakfast! Got here at around 9:30am for nigiri and matcha. Great spot to hangout and enjoy your food. You can either do takeout or sit down. There’s also free WiFi available. The ambiance is super cute and relaxing!
Super easy and accessible! This spot is a great early breakfast spot. Got their ice matcha latte and it was so good! They also sell it by the can and tons of other gadgets. Food was already made, so you can just pick it out. Must get their beef tongue and soy egg nigiri. This is a great chill spot to hang out or even just rest for a bit. Will be coming back before we leave.
The matcha frappe that I had here was phenomenal and delicious! I had some mild sugar in my drink and it tasted really well. Other drinks also have a smooth consistency of matcha which I really love. I really love the vibe and ambience here and I felt that it is a very comfortable place to sit and enjoy a nice drink. I also really like that I can make my own Onigiri here. It feels like an interesting way to learn how it’s prepared before I eat it.