Seiyo Sakan

In the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street—said to be “Japan’s longest shopping street”—there’s a café called “Seiyo Sakan.” As an authentic British-style tea room, it’s a “hidden gem” known only to those in the know; apparently, people come from far and wide just to visit this place, not just locals.

Aside from its British charm, I was really intrigued by the fact that such a place existed right in the middle of the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, which is lined with bargain shops, so I headed to Seiyo Sakan one weekend just before noon. So, what was the place actually like?

A British classic atmosphere that really stands out in the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street… This is what Seiyo Sakan is like…

Seiyo Sakan is a coffee shop founded in Heisei 1, boasting a history of over 30 years. Amid the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street, lined with many budget-friendly shops, its classic exterior really makes it stand out, raising your expectations to the max even before you step inside—you’ll feel like you’re in for an authentic British-style tea time.

The interior maintains the same classic British atmosphere as the exterior, and you’ll feel the atmosphere change completely the moment you step through the door. The café has a total of 43 seats. Looking around from your seat, you’ll see antique furniture and a fireplace—some dating back 100 to 200 years and sourced directly from the UK—arranged throughout the space, creating a retro yet sophisticated atmosphere. Given this setting, it gives the impression of a café where adults seeking a calm atmosphere gather, rather than a place frequented by young people. At this café, I recommend immersing yourself fully in the atmosphere rather than passing the time on your laptop or smartphone.

I’ve never seen anything this big before… How was the scone set at Seiyo Sakan when I actually tried it?

So, let me introduce the scone set (price: 1,280 yen, tax included) that I ordered at Seiyo Sakan that day. The drink included with this set can be chosen from five options: milk tea, special blend coffee, lemon tea, American blend coffee, or black tea (Note: You can upgrade to other drinks for an additional 150 yen), but this time I ordered the special blend coffee.

About 15 minutes after ordering, the scone set was brought to my table, and this is what it looked like…

I was surprised that the scones were bigger than I expected. Up until now, I’d only ever seen scones small enough to hold in one hand, but even at a glance, these look at least five times as big.

Well then, let’s dig right in. There are two toppings: cream cheese and blueberry jam. They’re so huge that it’s actually kind of hard to break them into manageable pieces…

I cut one into bite-sized pieces like this, spread some cream cheese on top, and took a bite. The outside is crispy, and the inside is crumbly. The dough has a subtle butter flavor, giving it a strong wheat taste. It feels quite dense and filling. There are only two of these scones, but if you’re not too hungry, these two might be enough.

As for the special blend coffee that came with the set, the coffee cup is huge, and there’s a generous amount of coffee in it. It’s mild in both bitterness and acidity—the kind you can drink down easily. Since the scones are so big, you’re bound to get thirsty halfway through, so it’s really appreciated that they pour the coffee to the brim. That’s how I finished the scone set at Seiyo Sakan in just over 10 minutes. It’s a café with a unique atmosphere in Tenroku, an area known for its many budget shops, but after having such a great experience, I thought to myself, “No wonder it’s managed to survive in Tenroku for over 30 years…”

Other Food Menu Items at the Seiyo Sakan (Prices include tax)

• Afternoon Tea (Starting at 2:00 PM) 2,850 yen
• Shepherd’s Pie (with salad) 1,210 yen
• Quiche (with salad) 1,210 yen
• Assorted Sandwiches (with salad) 1,050 yen
• Egg Sandwich (with salad) 1,020 yen
• French Toast 700 yen
• Toast (with butter & jam)　440 yen

They also have a great selection of takeout items… To get to Seiyo Sakan, it’s a short walk from the nearest station, Tenma Station on the JR Loop Line.

At Seiyo Sakan, they have a fantastic selection of takeout items, including the scones I ordered this time. Near the register…

They sell the scones I ordered this time, and true to its British-style café theme…

…there’s a wide selection of loose-leaf black tea and tea bags. And outside the shop…

…there’s a cake display case that catches the eye of many passersby. Taking these items home to enjoy a luxurious British-style tea time wouldn’t be a bad idea at all, would it?

Now, here are the shop details…