Ginger Garden Aoyama

If the goal is to take gorgeous Instagram pictures over afternoon tea, then there are few better places to do it — if any — than Ginger Garden Aoyama. Odds are, anyone looking to go for a cute, aesthetic joshikai (girls-only gathering) in Tokyo has probably come across the Ginger Garden cafes in their searches, and for good reason: it was the cafe that is widely attributed to have kicked off the “afternoon tea” craze in Japan, sparking the trend of dressing up in one’s Sunday best to take pictures with photogenic pastries. Ginger Garden Aoyama’s instantly recognizable decor also boasts some of the most elaborate floral displays, with arrangements of seasonal flowers like hydrangeas and cherry blossoms ensconcing each table in its very own secret garden hideaway. The Ginger Garden cafes are also notable for their seasonal, time-limited collaborations with some of Japan’s most famous mascots, including the instantly recognizable Hello Kitty and My Melody. The featured character in these collaborations changes semi-regularly, so fans of Sanrio character Kuromi — My Melody’s wildly popular rival — should don their cutest and make their way down to Ginger Garden Aoyama while they still can (make sure to wear purple to match!). When not actively featuring mascot collaborations, the cafe also does non-mascot themed menus, such as the Pink Snow Dome from December to February. But the food isn’t just to take pictures of. The delectable delights at Ginger Garden Aoyama are the brainchild of patissiers Kogita Kodai and Kawamura Naoto, whose stunning work at parfait bar Constellation and waterfront restaurant Yorimichi Odaiba carries over to the desserts here. From macarons to mousse to meringue, they deftly sculpt thematic desserts that taste just as good as they look. Diners making reservations through byFood have some optional extras: not only do they get a box of three of the wildly popular Teddy Ginger bear-shaped chocolates to take home, but if they submit their names at reservation, a Teddy Ginger will be served to them on a special plate with their name written on it, accompanied by an arrangement of fresh flowers and steaming dry ice for that extra aesthetic. The setting couldn’t be more appropriate for this beautiful cafe: located in the chic and stylish Aoyama area of Tokyo, just a stone’s throw from Omotesando Station, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your girlfriends.