"MACHA," a specialty store that sells Taiwanese raw tapioca and fruit tea located in the Enryo Bridge shopping district in Osaka, opened its doors in August 2026 right next to "Wait Tea." The store also offers matcha drinks and sweets made with Uji matcha.
This new concept was born from the success of the matcha drink that had gained popularity under the name "Wachacha," and the desire to convey the deliciousness of matcha itself and the Japanese tea culture. We asked the owner, Hosen-san, about their unique approach to each store and how to enjoy matcha.
"Waiting for Tea" that focuses on Taiwanese tea leaves and handmade raw tapioca
The aroma of tea leaves and the texture of raw tapioca are combined in one cup.
Opened in the Eishibashi Shopping Street in June 2021, "Tachaa" is a specialty store that sells Taiwanese-made tea leaves-infused tapioca drinks and fruit teas made with fresh fruits.
What the owner, 何さん, cherishes is what is known as "Taiwan original tea" in Taiwan. Instead of focusing solely on increasing the variety of products to keep up with trends, he emphasizes on using tea leaves and tapioca from Taiwan and the traditional methods passed down locally, conveying the true flavor of Taiwan.
The tea leaves are mainly used for three types: black tea, Teak-shaped Oolong tea, and Jasmine tea. They are characterized by the refreshing richness of black tea, the fragrant lingering aftertaste of Teak-shaped Oolong tea, and the gorgeous aroma of Jasmine tea. When combined with brown sugar, milk, and fruit, the flavors of the base tea leaves are still fully present.
The pride of "Waiting Tea" is Taiwan-made raw tapioca. It is not a ready-to-use product, but is carefully prepared from the raw state over about an hour. When chewed, it has a firm elasticity and a perfect balance of firmness that makes it a delightful experience.
For first-time visitors, what Sangyo recommends is the "Okinawa Black Sugar Tapioca Milk Tea." It is a blend of the deep richness of Okinawa black sugar, rich milk, and fragrant Taiwanese tea, with fluffy tapioca that has not yet been cooked. The harmony of the ingredients creates a satisfying experience, with a delicious finish that never leaves you wanting more.
Another popular menu item is fruit tea. Our favorite, the "Guava Tea," is characterized by its elegant sweetness and subtle acidity. With its tropical flavor and refreshing aftertaste, it's perfect for relaxing your mind and body. We also recommend enjoying it with tapioca.
The two "waiting" meanings behind the store name "Waiting Tea"
The name "Waiting Tea" contains the meanings of two things that are important to the person who uses it: "waiting." and "time."
One of the goals is to become a store that people feel comfortable meeting at. "I want to be a place not just for buying drinks, but also a landmark for people to meet each other. There was a time when a customer called and said, 'I'm waiting at the tapioca shop next to 551 Hongo.' I hope one day I can be remembered by everyone as a store that can be said, 'I'm waiting in front of the waiting tea at the Eishinbashi shopping street.'"
Another reason is the desire to make customers feel value even during the time it takes for the product to be made. Instead of prioritizing only the speed from order to delivery, we aim to deliver a cup of tea that customers will feel good about waiting for. To do this, we carefully select the ingredients and maintain traditional manufacturing methods while meticulously crafting our products.
A specialty shop called "MACHA" that serves Uji matcha for every order
A new concept born from popular matcha drinks
The "taicha" black sugar matcha milk tea and matcha latte, which have been gaining popularity since the beginning, are also very popular. Not only among Japanese people, but also among foreign tourists, many orders have been received.
Following the response, Hosen says he came to think that rather than offering matcha as one of the many menu items, he wanted to create a store that would engage with matcha itself and convey its deliciousness.
Although the tea culture in Taiwan and the matcha culture in Japan may seem different at first glance, they both share a commonality of valuing tea. With "Waiting for Tea," they bring out the authentic flavors of Taiwan, and with "MACHA," the unique characteristics of Uji matcha. We want to deliver the best of both, and that is what "MACHA," a specialty store of Uji matcha, was established in August 2026 with.
We use Uji matcha, which is even higher quality than the "temcha" matcha drink. Even when combined with milk, the presence of matcha remains intact, allowing you to experience the rich aroma and flavor.
Our biggest commitment is not to keep matcha on hand; we only make and serve each cup as it is ordered. We first draw water from the iron pot, pour it into a vessel containing Uji matcha, and carefully prepare the tea with a tea whisk. This ensures a smooth mouthfeel and brings out the unique aroma, bitterness, and deep flavor of matcha.
There is a counter inside the shop, so you can see the process of making the drink up close. You’ll also enjoy the way the matcha is prepared and the aroma that wafts around the place. This reflects the same spirit that continues from the concept of “waiting tea,” which aims to make the waiting time worthwhile.
Recommended are Uji Matcha Latte and five kinds of strawberry mochi.
The first thing you should try with "MACHA" is the "Uji Matcha Latte." It's a simple cup made with Uji matcha and milk. In the mellowness of the milk, you can clearly feel the rich aroma of matcha and the pleasant bitterness.
The sweetness can be selected from 0%, 50%, 70%, and 100% levels. Those who want to enjoy the authentic flavor of matcha can adjust the sweetness to a moderate level, while those who prefer a sweet matcha latte can choose to use 70% or 100%.
In addition, there is also a wide selection of flavored drinks, such as "Uji Matcha Frozen Drink," "Uji Matcha Chocolate," and "Matcha Strawberry Latte." By adding the sweetness of milk, fruit, and chocolate, the menu is designed to appeal to even those who don't usually drink matcha.
What you want to enjoy with your drink is the "Strawberry Dofu," which is wrapped in fresh strawberries. There are five types available: sweetened red bean paste, granulated red bean paste, mango, chocolate, and matcha. The fluffy and elastic dough is satisfying to eat, and the strawberries wrapped inside further enhance the freshness and sweetness of the fruit. The sweetness of the filling and the refreshingness of the fruit combine to create a highly satisfying result.
Products made with Uji matcha that can be enjoyed at home are also on sale.
In the shop, they also sell Uji matcha cans with a strainer, a shaker that can make matcha just by shaking it, and sets that allow you to easily experience the art of tea making at home. Additionally, they also have products designed for those who want to enjoy authentic Uji matcha, such as high-quality Uji matcha cans and matcha bowls.
In addition to enjoying a freshly brewed cup of tea at the shop, we also want people to get to know matcha at home. MACHA offers new ways to experience this wonderful tea.
Enjoy Taiwanese tea and Japanese matcha culture at two neighboring stores
What Han chose as the location for MACHA was not just a distant location in another neighborhood or shopping street; it was right next to "Taecha." "The Eishinbashi shopping street is a place where people from local shoppers to domestic and international tourists walk. We thought it would be a convenient place for those interested in Taiwanese tea to also come and enjoy Japanese matcha."
"Waiting Tea" is a shop that conveys the charm of Taiwanese tea and fresh tapioca and fruit. On the other hand, "MACHA" is a specialty store where you can experience the aroma and flavor of Uji matcha as well as the technique of pouring the tea with a tea whisk. By utilizing the distinct characteristics of each, they complement each other beautifully.
For those who have previously ordered matcha drinks through "Wait Tea," this is a chance to learn more about the depth of Uji matcha. For those who visit here with the intention of trying Taiwanese tea or fresh tapioca, this will serve as an introduction to these beverages.
This is a new way to experience tea, created by pairing Taiwan tea with Uji matcha, two specialty shops side by side. Why not try a cup of tea that combines the unique characteristics of each store during your meeting or shopping break in Namba?
Store information
Shop name: Tamachaya Namba Store
Address: 3-7-25, Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Business hours: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Regular holidays: None
Phone number: 080-3796-8068
Shop name: MACHA Namba Store
Address: 3-7-1 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Business hours: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Regular holidays: None
Phone number: 080-3828-0699
Freelance editor and writer. A fan of comedy who frequents theaters in Namba. I also have a passion for delicious food, and I also like to introduce recommended gourmet dishes and sweets in magazines and on TV.
