Saihon no Ma (The Syphonist)

One of Nagoya’s best kept secrets is a tea shop that serves siphon coffee and matcha with a miniature bonsai set beside each cup.

What’s Saihon no Ma (The Syphonist)?

Owned by siphon brewing champion Yoshinobu Nakayama, this peaceful café invites guests to sip siphon-brewed coffee and Japanese teas while admiring bonsai up close.

There are two types of seating, and which one you choose changes the experience. The table seating sits near large windows, giving it a bright, airy feel — perfect for people-watching in peace.

The counter seating, on the other hand, is where you get the fuller experience: you can watch the siphon brewing process up close, with a bonsai paired with each drink right in front of you. The lighting here is also dimmer, with a light cast in the shape of a full moon on the wall, giving it a more surreal, intimate feel.

And if you get lucky, the owner’s dogs sometimes come into work, so you can relax with some cute pups around. Even if you don’t get to see the café’s “idols,” you can buy goods featuring them, including postcards. There’s also other merchandise for sale, including, of course, small bonsai and other natural products.

Drinks

The drinks options are extensive — you’ll definitely want to spend some time browsing the menu. Notable items include herbal teas, like the Purple Tea, which is only available on certain days, such as rainy days. There’s, of course, the siphon-brewed teas, including all the classics like green tea, black tea, and hōjicha. You can also enjoy matcha lattes, both hot and iced. We tried the Hoshi no Tsuyu hot matcha for ¥990.

There’s also a lot of coffee — all sourced from different prefectures in Japan. What’s great about this part of the physical menu is that it details each coffee company, where it’s from, what type of roast it is, and a code to the company’s Instagram. A nice personal touch that proves how this place is about deepening your knowledge of these drinks. And we came across coffee from Tetsu Kasuya, owner of Philocoffea — we actually collaborated with him in 2025, so check out his picks for good coffee shops in Tokyo.

For something even stronger than the coffee, there are siphon-based cocktails, plus a small selection of craft beer and other alcohol.

Pro tip: If you adjust your camera’s brightness to a darker setting, you can make it look like your drink and bonsai are floating in front of the moon, and create different shadow shapes on top of your drink (like pictured above).

Food

Pair your fancy drink with a fancy treat. There’s plenty to choose from, including small baked goods, slices of cake, as well as traditional Japanese sweets like wagashi (which is what we ordered), some featuring local Nagoya specialties.

For something even fancier, some of the desserts lean into an earthy aesthetic, including the moss ball pudding. There are also a few savory options, notably the KISO bread, which includes their take on ogura toast (red bean toast), served on a baguette-style bread rather than the classic sliced toast. Prices range from around ¥400 up to ¥1,500.

What to know before you visit Saihon no Ma (The Syphonist)

Do you need reservations for Saihon no Ma (The Syphonist)?

You don’t need a reservation but you can make one just to be safe. You can make reservations online (up to 30 days ahead) or by phone — same-day reservations need to be made at least three hours in advance.

When booking, you can choose between a table or special counter seat. We personally recommend the counter seat so you can see the siphon brewing process, as well as the matcha being prepared. Note that there is a cover charge of ¥300 on weekends and holidays and ¥200 on weekdays for the counter seat.

by Jane Pipkin