New Yame Matcha Cafe Opens Its Doors in Kakaʻako

Exciting news for matcha enthusiasts! Yame Matcha House is set to unveil its very first brick-and-mortar location in Kakaʻako, expanding operations from its well-loved trailer at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Located on KawaiaHa‘o Street, this new cafe takes over the former Poke Stand by Shokudo space.

Authentic Fukuoka Matcha Experience

Ryo Hirayama, the owner of Yame Matcha House, has deep roots in Fukuoka, Japan—a region famous for its distinctive Yame matcha. “Growing up, my family owned a shop in Fukuoka that sold matcha utensils and chawan, the traditional bowl used for preparing matcha,” shares Hirayama. He identifies a notable gap in the local market, noting that most matcha available in Hawaii originates from Shizuoka or Uji.

“When I came to Oʻahu, I was surprised to find a lack of authentic Yame matcha,” he explains. This insight propelled him to introduce the unique qualities of Yame matcha to the islands, which importantly includes a unique double roasting process that gives it a nutty flavor.

A Menu Full of Flavor

The menu at the new Kakaʻako location retains much of what patrons enjoyed at the UH Mānoa trailer, but with the added benefit of a larger space. “With the cafe’s setup, we have a freezer now, which allows us to introduce new items such as shakes and ice cream,” says Hirayama, excitedly mentioning that soft serve will soon be available.

Customers can expect a variety of popular drinks, such as the Yame Signature Matcha or Hojicha for $8, the Yame Einspanner at $8.75, and the Banana Dream for $8.50. Each beverage contains six grams of matcha, except for the Einspanner, which features a concentrated matcha base at 10 grams—a customer favorite.

New seasonal offerings include the Maple Cookie Hojicha, introduced recently, alongside the beloved Okinawan Brown Sugar Hojicha. For those with a sweeter palette, options like Salted Vanilla Caramel and Salted Vanilla drinks are available, each priced at $8.50.

Visit Yame Matcha House in Kakaʻako

The Kakaʻako cafe will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday, and will remain closed on Mondays. Whether you're already a matcha lover or just curious to explore, Yame Matcha House invites you to enjoy high-quality matcha in a welcoming atmosphere.

Location Details:
Yame Matcha House – Kakaʻako
961 KawaiaHa‘o St., Honolulu
Instagram: @yamematchahouse
Open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays)