Hi--

Basically, any store that specializes in tea will be able to show off a
variety of teas, and will be good at showing your friend how to make
tea (which will probably involve buying a Japanese tea pot or two (the
better ones come in wooden boxes, easier to bring home safely!)

Tea specialty stores, by and large, know that selling their products
(even to Japanese customers) requires some time and good hostly
instruction. They need to feel reasonably sure you will buy something
before they'll put on the whole show, though

The problem is *language*. There *are* tea stores with clerks who
speak English reasonably well, you just have to hunt for them. Perhaps
searching for tea shops that have web pages in English, followed up
with an e-mail asking if they have clerks who can manage English?
There are also several web-sites for ex-pats living in Tokyo. A search
of their archives or a new query will doubtless turn up good
suggestions.

I realize I haven't answered your question, but perhaps I have helped
shape the discussion.


Lewis Perin wrote:
A friend of mine who loves green tea will be in Japan a couple of
weeks from now. Any suggestions on where he should shop in Tokyo?