The French restaurant Gramercy Suite, located on the first floor of Strings Hotel Nagoya (Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi), is set to undergo a grand reopening on July 1, 2026. Ahead of the reopening, during a pre-opening period from June 21 to 30, a special collaboration event with Japanese tea specialty shop Isecha mirume will be held on June 22 (Monday), 2026.
The event centers on a tasting of 10 carefully selected Japanese teas: five hojicha varieties deeply rooted in Nagoya's traditional tea culture, and five 2026 new teas from Emperor's Cup-winning tea gardens across Japan. In the second half of the event, a "Guess the New Tea's Origin" game gives participants the chance to win a special gift set of Isecha mirume yokan (sweet red bean jelly) and cold brew tea bags for those who correctly identify the region.
After the tasting, guests can enjoy the "Isecha mirume Collaboration Menu" — a French course designed to showcase the delicate aromas and umami of Japanese tea, with dishes such as starters infused with Isecha mirume tea and grilled eel with hojicha tea rice.
Event Details
Event: Isecha mirume Premium Tea Tasting & Collaboration Course
Date: June 22, 2026 (Monday)
Schedule:
- 11:30 AM–12:30 PM: Hojicha 5 Varieties & Emperor's Cup-Winning New Tea 5 Varieties Tasting
- 12:30 PM–2:00 PM: Isecha mirume Collaboration Menu Course Meal
Maximum Capacity: Up to 20 guests (Solo diners may be seated with other guests)
Pricing (tax included; +15% service charge)
- Adults: ¥6,600 (includes tasting event + course meal)
- Children (ages 3–7): ¥2,990 (includes tasting event + kids lunch plate)
Reservations: https://www.strings-group.jp/nagoya/recommend/recommend_17122/
Hojicha Tasting Lineup (5 Varieties)
① Semi-Fermented Hojicha
A lightly roasted hojicha crafted from tea leaves that have undergone oxidative semi-fermentation. A subtle roasted note plays against a sweet, floral fragrance for a refined and delicate result.
② White Stem Hojicha
Made from stems slowly roasted at low temperature until they puff up white. Unlike conventional hojicha, this variety offers a gentle, refined aroma with a clean green tea character and a peanut-like nuttiness.
③ First-Pick Hojicha
An exceptionally rare hojicha made exclusively from the tender one-bud, two-leaf shoots of early spring's first harvest — leaves so delicate they yield roughly half the amount of gyokuro. Slowly roasted at low temperature, the result is rich in umami with a vivid aroma and deep flavor.
④ Hand-Roasted Charcoal Hojicha
Traditionally crafted by skilled artisans using an iron pot, the hand-roasting process creates a distinctive charcoal-like smokiness. Bold and fragrant yet clean on the palate, it is an acquired taste that tends to grow on you.
⑤ Sand-Roasted Stem Hojicha (Caffeine-Free)
Crafted from carefully selected stems of premium first-flush tea, finished using the traditional sand-roasting method. The far-infrared heat of hot sand yields a plump, evenly roasted stem with a strong roasted aroma, natural sweetness, and a vivid amber color.
New Tea Lineup — 2026, from Emperor's Cup-Winning Gardens (5 Varieties)
① Hakogawa Tea Factory (Kagoshima / 2023 Emperor's Cup recipient)
② Miyazaki Chabo (Miyazaki / 2002 Emperor's Cup recipient)
③ Green World Yame (Fukuoka / 2012 Emperor's Cup recipient)
④ Shinryoku Chabo (Mie / 2006 Emperor's Cup recipient)
⑤ Araien (Saitama / 1996 Emperor's Cup recipient)
Collaboration Course Menu — Brooklyn Course
(Menu subject to change based on ingredient availability)
- Appetizer: Amberjack and Manganji Pepper Presse with the Fragrance of Isecha mirume "Senju"
- Soup: Chilled Potato Soup with Amber Jelly and Citrus Accent
- Meat: Aichi Mikawa Pork Sauté with Seasonal Vegetable Garnish and Black Pepper Sauce
- Rice: Grilled Eel Kabayaki with Isecha mirume "Sand-Roasted Stem Hojicha" Tea Rice
- Dessert: Isecha mirume "Japanese Black Tea" Parfait and Jelly with Natsumikan
- Finish: Coffee or Tea
About Isecha mirume
Isecha mirume is a Japanese tea specialty café and store combining tradition and innovation in Japanese tea. The name "mirume" comes from a term in the tea industry meaning "young buds," representing the spirit of taking on new challenges and a commitment to providing high-quality tea leaves. The shop is located in the Nagunonan, Shikemichi district of Nishiku, Nagoya.
The store is led by owner Soma Matsumoto, the third generation of a tea-farming family from Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture. After gaining experience in the restaurant industry with the goal of opening his own shop, he launched a food truck at age 26 and later managed a Nagoya location for his family's business at age 30. When that store closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he chose to strike out on his own and established the current shop in Nagunonan.
Event Venue
Gramercy Suite (1F French Restaurant, Strings Hotel Nagoya)
4-60-7 Hiraike-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi
Hours:
- Lunch: Weekdays 11:30 AM–3:00 PM (Last order 2:00 PM) / Weekends & Holidays 11:00 AM–3:00 PM (Last order 2:00 PM)
- Tea: 3:00 PM–5:00 PM (Last order 4:30 PM)
- Dinner: Mon–Thu 5:00 PM–9:00 PM (Last order 7:30 PM) / Fri, Sat, Sun & Holidays 5:00 PM–10:00 PM (Last order 8:00 PM)
Website: https://www.strings-group.jp/nagoya/restaurant/cafe/
