Hakodate Motomachi is a place famous for its streetscape that exudes an exotic atmosphere.
Many people probably come here because they are drawn to that scenery.

It's full of sights to see, including the many hills you'd want to see at least once, and the churches of Christ and John.

Amidst such enjoyable sightseeing, there are plenty of cafes to pop into. While there are indeed many, one place that stands out for its rare selection of teas is "Chaika." So, this time, we've interviewed Chaika to learn more about its charms! Please take a look!

<Table of Contents>
1. What kind of cafe is "Chaika"?
2. Tea time at Chaika
3. Chaika Details and Access Information
Final thoughts

Chaika is located in Motomachi, Hakodate. It opened on June 28, 2014, and has become popular as a shop that stocks Russian and Eastern European goods.
Then, on February 3rd, 2016, the cafe also opened! A dreamlike space was created where you can enjoy tea time surrounded by cute goods.

As soon as I stepped inside the store, I found it was full of adorable goods that any Naruhodo girl would love!

The first thing that catches your eye is candy and other sweets.
These are beautifully wrapped, making them perfect as souvenirs. The price is also reasonable, so you'll want to buy several!
These would be great as small gifts to give away!

Further inside, you'll find a display of traditional crafts, including "Arkhangelsk embroidery."
This "Arkhangelsk" design is a tradition passed down through generations in the Arkhangelsk region, the northernmost part of Russia. Its unique design is incredibly cute and sure to appeal to women.

The fabric is very durable, making it perfect for everyday use!

And here's something rare: Actually, we have a large collection of Russian picture books.
You might be thinking, "Huh? I can't read Russian??" But every book has colorful and cute illustrations! There are unique books, books that convey a worldview at a glance, books about lively animals, and more... The owner has carefully selected and procured all of them.

Even if you can't read the text, you'll somehow understand it just from the pictures; these are all fascinating works, so I hope you'll pick them up and take a look.

And of course, we also have this item that you can't miss when you think of Russia: Matryoshka dolls.

I doubt anyone would buy something here and say, "I've been to Russia!!" but these are all imported goods that would be convincing enough to make that claim.

If you make eye contact with a Matryoshka doll, you'll probably want to take it home with you!

The shop is filled with exciting and rare items, from stylish Russian souvenirs to "Imperial Porcelain," a renowned Russian ceramic with a 260-year history.

You can enjoy the time before your tea arrives, or even while you're waiting for your tea to arrive after ordering at a cafe!

Chaika's Cafe is located immediately to the left after you enter through the door.
Sitting down on one of the wooden chairs that blends so well with the predominantly white buildings, you're sure to feel your travel fatigue melt away and relax. After all, Hakodate Motomachi is a town meant to be walked.

I immediately took a look at the menu...

It says, "Please choose your favorite Kusmi Tea."

...What is Kusmi Tea?

That was my first thought.
Some of you may already know this, but Kusumi Tea originally refers to Russian black tea.
Apparently, it's currently being made by a large company based in France.

This product has been a massive hit overseas, and it seems that many Japanese people also buy several of them as souvenirs when they travel abroad.
It's the same feeling as saying, "When you think of souvenirs from Hokkaido... it has to be Shiroi Koibito!"

Well, I didn't know which one to choose when I went to order, so I asked the staff to pick out a tea that they thought would suit me. And here it is!
Since we had the chance, we decided to go with the Russian cottage cheesecake this time.

The cakes seem to change depending on the season, but they're all handmade by the owner!

The Kusmi Tea I chose was a variety called "BB Detox."

Apparently, it's a blend of mate tea, green tea, and rooibos tea, but it's such a beautiful, clear yellow! Plus, the subtle grapefruit scent is irresistible...

Taking a sip, I was surprised by how refreshing the aftertaste was, considering it's a blend! I could drink several glasses of this.

You can also buy Kusmi Tea in stores, so if you like it, why not take some home with you?
This is something that's quite difficult to get your hands on in Japan.

Then we enjoyed the cake, lovingly made by the owner, with sour cream and raspberry jam. The jam was, of course, homemade.

The combination of sweet and sour raspberries and cheesecake is, of course, fantastic!
The rich flavor spread throughout my mouth, and the refreshing Kusmi Tea provided a perfect balance.

Sour cream is rather bland on its own, but the moment you eat it with cheesecake, it transforms into the perfect supporting ingredient! It's such a luxury to be able to try it with these two types of cheesecake.

It's rare to find a cafe that offers such a variety of tea options to enjoy.
If you're ever in Motomachi, be sure to stop by!

[Chaika - Russian and Eastern European Goods]
Address:7-7 Motomachi, Hakodate City, Hokkaido
Phone 0138-87-2098
Official HP:http://www.chaika-shop.com/
・Hakodate City Tram: Get off at "Suehirocho" station and walk for 10 minutes.
・ Parking lot: 2 cars

Final thoughts

Hakodate's Motomachi district is a popular tourist spot with numerous attractions. There are so many things to see that you really need to focus on a few key points, otherwise it can be overwhelming.
But deciding where to go is also part of the fun of traveling, isn't it?

Stepping into this Chaika gives you the feeling of being transported to the world of Russia.
The contrast between being in Motomachi and this being... might also be interesting.

Enjoy a relaxing time at the cafe located inside this soothing shop.

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