Dessert Cafe Chourakukan at Hotel Chourakukan in Higashiyama, Kyoto, will offer a limited-time "Tropical Mango Afternoon Tea" from July 1 (Wednesday) to July 31 (Friday), 2026.
Hotel Chourakukan is housed in the historic Chourakukan building, a former Meiji-era villa built in 1909 for Kichibei Murai, a prominent industrialist known as the "Tobacco King." The building was designated as a National Important Cultural Property in December 2024 and is recognized for its eclectic architectural design drawing on styles from various countries. This storied space provides a distinctive setting for the seasonal afternoon tea experience.
The menu centers on mango as the hero ingredient of midsummer, with the tartness of passion fruit and grapefruit adding a refreshing counterpoint. The combination results in a light, vibrant flavor profile, with the fragrant aromas of tropical fruits providing a cooling finish.
The afternoon tea is served on an English-style three-tiered tea stand. Among the sweets, highlights include a two-layered glass dessert of mango mousse topped with mango and passion fruit jelly, a pineapple tart made with coconut almond cream and fresh pineapple, and a verrine of panna cotta layered with grapefruit compote and jasmine-scented jelly. Seasonal fruit (mango and melon) and homemade baked goods complete the sweet selection.
Savories include a mango and prosciutto sandwich, cucumber sandwiches, quiche Lorraine, fried ayu (sweetfish) with passion fruit and tomato sauce, and a chilled corn potage made with freshly harvested corn.
The course closes with a "special dessert plate" — a smooth mango granita capturing the pure fruit flavor. An optional pour of champagne turns it into a cocktail-style treat.
Tropical Mango Afternoon Tea Details
Dates: July 1 (Wednesday) – July 31 (Friday), 2026
Venue: Dessert Cafe Chourakukan, 1st Floor Main Building "Reception Room" (迎賓の間)
Hours: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM (two seatings, 2 hours each)
Price: ¥6,500 per person (tax included; 10% service charge not included)
Reservations: For 2 or more guests
Note: Menu content may change depending on ingredient availability. Guests under 12 years of age are not permitted.
Full Menu
Aperitif (choose one)
- Champagne (+¥1,100)
- Seasonal cocktail (+¥550)
- Sparkling wine
- Non-alcoholic sparkling wine
- Elderflower juice
Sweets
- Mango and Passion Fruit Mousse – A tropical two-layered dessert of mango mousse topped with mango and passion fruit puree jelly
- Pineapple Tart – Coconut almond cream topped with fresh pineapple, baked to a golden finish
- Grapefruit and Jasmine Verrine – Panna cotta layered with grapefruit compote and jasmine-scented jelly
- Seasonal fruit (mango and melon)
- Homemade baked goods
Scones
- Plain
- Cranberry
(Served with clotted cream and jam)
Savories
- Mango and prosciutto sandwich / Cucumber sandwich
- Quiche Lorraine
- Fried ayu with passion fruit and tomato sauce
- Chilled corn potage (freshly harvested corn)
Special Dessert Plate
- Mango Granita – A silky, smooth granita made from pure mango fruit flavor
