Cha-ya

Totally turned me on to making matcha the RIGHT way in a bowl with a whisk! Forever grateful as it is quite a relaxing ritual in the mornings to relax before I rush to work! That aside, this is also an incredible place to find unique gifts (for yourself and others). From teapots to large antique pieces — you will be sure to find something here that you will absolutely fall in love with.

Cute little store that sells a lot of stuff from Japan. Things were very expensive though.
We ordered some tea (hojicha). It costs more than the usual teas at coffee shops but definitely worth it! I love Asian teas and this is definitely very soothing. Also great for digestion according to the lady that owns the shop!

Very special little shop… As soon as I walk in, I know I will find something I needed! The clean and calming fragrance from innocence and green tea, unexpected color and textures of all the goods, friendly service, I always feel special when I to this store!

Super pleasant owner and very comfortable shopping experience. Great find and we will shop here again.

This cute adorable Japanese tea shop/​store is where you can find handcrafted art and items from Japan! Everything for fabric origami paper (high quality might I add!) to tea sets, tea (matcha, sencha and more!) and beautiful art pieces. Its a quaint little place and you can actually order a cup of tea and sit outside to enjoy.
The prices are great especially being here in Monterey and it’s probably hard to get some of the items here.
The lady there was so kind and nice. Her two little dogs just rest comfortably by the register.

Beautiful Japanese Tea Shop
Popped in for a mere moment
Small Tea Selection
Large Tea Ware Selection
Friendly Costomer Service
A feast for the senses
Bought some Gen-​Mai Cha and will return to treat myself to some Traditional Japanese Tea Service Treasures
Looking forward to really seeing the whole store.

Great little store for Japanese gifts! They have all sorts of goodies, paper cranes, tea, tea pots, mugs, scarfs, artwork, cards, and the list goes on…
I had the owner custom order a few gifts for a friend’s birthday and I couldn’t make it back in time to pick them so the owner packed them up for me and put them in the mail so they would arrive in time for my friend’s Bday! Great customer service!

A wonderful place! I had a cup of freshly whipped-​up matcha, which is not something you can get everywhere.

Delightful shop. The teas are very tasty. There are many attractive and unusual items. Valerie is the perfect person to work in this shop. She has a wonderful and caring personality. We will for sure return many times to Cha-​Ya.

This is a very charming place for top quality tea and unique gifts. If you are looking for a unique experience with personality this is it.

Fantastic shop with lots of great Japanese interior goods and teas. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The location just expanded, so I would really encourage anyone to stop by. Great place for reasonably priced gifts too.

Cha-​ya is so much more than Japanese green tea (which is wonderful and a reason to go here all by itself). This store has wonderful charm and personality. In the age of chain stores and strip malls this business has unique gifts and treats you won’t find anywhere else. Please do yourself a favor and visit this store soon, and pick up a nice gift for a friend or treat yourself.

This place is so adorable on the inside. The owner is very friendly. I recently bought 2 tea cups and some wooden sandals which I adore. I am going back soon to shop more. Love all things Japanese. :)

My girlfriend and i were driving around exploring downtown monterey when we stumbled upon this place. Unfortunately they were closed already, so we planned to come back the next day before going to the aquarium.
Posted opening time 10:30
Actual time lady showed up to open store 10:47
We walked around the block twice to kill time and were just about ready to give up, negative Unilocal review in mind, turned on our car and noticed the lady coming in.
So we turned off the car, and went on in. Im glad we stayed, because this place is what they call in the biz, a gem. If you love Japanese culture, Cha-​Ya provides. It is a relatively small shop, but it is packed with wonderfully ordanated objects, including tea sets, macha powder, vases, clothes, etc.
Relaxing Japanese instrumentals were playing over the speakers, setting a tranquil setting. We purchased a sake set, somewhat expensive but worth it. The lady working was extremely nice, and also let us sample some fuji apple and green tea mints.

Stopped in today to pick up a pair of beautiful Geta for a surprise gift for my gentleman friend, I’d post a pic but Mitsuko-​san is special ordering his size because they were out. Each time I come in here I find more and more beautiful things from Japan that are just to die for. If you are a collector of Japanese items or just curious to see what kinds of things they sell in Japan (when it comes to tea and gifts) then this is your place. If you catch yourself reminiscing about your days abroad in Japan then take a step into Chaya and you will surrounded by all things Japanese.

Cute little tea and gift shop. The lady who worked there was friendly and helpful. I thought they were a little pricey (but I can see how renting a storefront in Monterey can be costly), and wished they had broader tea selection. Will update when I have tried the tea.

The Japanese green tea is as good as it gets. Highly recommend the fukamushi-​sencha.

Great little gem of a place in old downtown. They have tea, tea sets, and other Japanese items. The owner was nice and friendly and made us feel very welcome.