ウサ子ちゃんの好きな美しきカフェ達の調べ♪第二章　茶フェ ちゃきちの魅力♪　～ミミーの上州スイーツ、甘い誘惑～ : Cha Fe Chakichi

I visited on October 2, 2016. It's located about 100 meters east from the Ichinomiya traffic signal on National Route 254. [b:Can't you see that you are sweet? Oh, let me love you so~♪] (Haven't you noticed how sweet you are? Oh, let me show you my love.) Her nickname is Usako-chan, and she loves cafes. She doesn't often go with me, but it seems she's been visiting various cafes with friends like Pyonko-chan and family. [b:By the way, even though Usako-chan and I have been together for over five years, I've never met her friend Pyonko-chan](sweat). Pyonko-chan has a hidden secret... Perhaps Usako-chan and Pyonko-chan share a [b:clownish relationship] to nurse each other's wounds (laugh). As autumn approaches in early October, I managed to meet Usako-chan. We had lunch at [a:https://tabelog.com/rvwr/003444632/rvwdtl/59476392/, Tokiwakan], where I finally enjoyed the long-awaited last Shinmine Katsu-don, finishing my goal of conquering eight Shinmine Katsu-don spots. However, Usako-chan's true goal isn't the Katsu-don. [b: "Mimi, do you know about the tea cafe in Ichinomiya, Tomioka? There are always people waiting, and I've been curious about it!" ] This is the tea house [b: "Yoshidaen"], which opened the [b: "Cha Fe Chakichi"]. It's situated along the old National Route 254, and since I usually take the bypass towards Tomioka on my bike, I had no idea it existed. [b: "Was there a cafe near Kanra Shrine?" ] When I asked, she responded, [b: "Oh, even you, Mimi, who rides around Gunma on your MK-2 bike, didn't know? Shall we go and check it out?" ] So I replied, [b: "If you're inviting me, I’ll jump at the chance! Like a secret love... Tomioka, Runaway! Space, Runaway!" ] though Usako-chan didn’t get the reference (sweat). Thus, on the drive from Shinmine to Tomioka, I played the endless soundtrack of [b: "Revival of E-pon"] that I couldn't hear when going to Karuizawa for my favorite [b: "Sunrise Robot Anime Selection"]. [b: My heart races, Usako's excitement grows~♪ Going to the cafe, my soul shakes and awakens~♪ Cake slicing, standing tall, a testament to justice~♪ The legendary power of Usako cuts through Gunma~♪ Love calls the deliciousness like a flash of lightning~♪ Don't shake your butt, focus your eyes, the time for tasting is here~♪ Cafe, life, witnessing the beginning~♪ I love matcha, Usako Usako~♪ I also love cafes, Usako Usako~♪] I sang a parody of [b: "Revival of E-pon"] called [b: "Cafe Lover Usako"] just for her (laugh). [b: "Usako-chan! Don’t you think the theme song for Ideon, created by Youko Kanno and Koichi Sugiyama, is amazing?" ] When I asked, she seemed more exhausted than usual (sweat). We arrived at the cafe on a Sunday afternoon, and as Usako-chan said, there were plenty of people waiting. Both Usako-chan and I were eager to eat something delicious, so we signed in and decided to wait patiently. Meanwhile, [b: "Usako-chan! Ideon isn't a robot; it's a 'relic of the Sixth Civilization' that operates and controls mechas through human will and power, called the 'Ide System'..." ] I passionately explained, shaking our souls, but she retorted coldly, [b: "If you keep talking, I'll blast you to cosmic dust with my anger ion gun." ] (laugh) [b: Usako-chan actually watched the two Ideon films with me and was left speechless by the shocking ending... After about 20 minutes, we were led inside, and she said, [b: "It's beautifully Japanese-themed inside!" ] She cheered up, forgetting about Ideon—(laugh). Usako-chan ordered the tea parfait she had been curious about, while I craved something cold, so I ordered the richest matcha gelato with five layers. We also decided to share a matcha bean roll cake, but I noticed on the chalkboard they had [b: "Matcha Gelato 'Ultimate'" ] which looked even richer, so I ordered that as well. As Usako-chan took pictures, she said, [b: "Now I can boast to Pyonko-chan that I made it to 'Chakichi!'" ] She was probably gathering information on Earth's sweets for the mysterious Pyonko-chan, who might be like a baffling alien (laugh). [b: "Speaking of which, both Ideon and Gundam featured Keiko Toda, right? I really like her!" ] Usako-chan said, so I replied, [b: "Kameera Ajiwa was modeled after Toda in the materials." When I said that, a delicious-looking matcha dessert was served. [b:Usako's little info: "The impressive, towering structure of the tea parfait felt like a testament to justice, and I ate it without trembling in awe. ♪ It was piled high with delicious matcha ice cream, shiratama, sweet chestnuts, matcha mochi, Tokachi bean paste, and cream to the point of overflowing, sitting atop granola—it looked almost like a legendary giant robot revived! ♪ It was luxurious no matter where I took a bite; I felt an infinite power like 'Ide' and, for a moment, it was as delicious as Yuuki Koutarou's fro hairstyle! ♪ I ate it all by myself and didn’t share with Mimi! ♪ I have tried matcha parfaits in Kyoto, and this one stands shoulder to shoulder with the volume and deliciousness!" ] I started by trying the richest five-layer matcha gelato. I had presumed that being five layers might make it too bitter, but it wasn’t overly bitter; instead, I felt sweetness and creaminess mingled with the bitterness, and it finished quite refreshingly. However, even with that, the pronounced matcha flavor was definitely strong, with a rich aroma. Next, I decided to compare it with the 'Ultimate' matcha gelato. The 'Ultimate' was a premium product at an additional JPY 50, and seeing it, it had a dignified appearance, resonating with the call of the matcha spirit (laugh). Taking a bite, it was indeed richer, and the barrage of bitterness echoed within. It was a bitterness that truly embodied the essence of 'this is what matcha flavor should be'; Usako-chan, having taken a bite, exclaimed, [b: "It feels like 'Oh humanity and life, witness the beginning and power of matcha!' It’s rich, and within it, there's a slight sweetness—this is exactly what I’ve been looking for!" ] She praised it, and in the end, she devoured most of it (laugh). The matcha bean roll cake featured a moist matcha sponge enveloping a matcha bean cream filling; a delightful experience that allowed us to savor the mellow flavor of Uji matcha. The matcha bean paste combined with cream was undoubtedly addictive (laugh), and the carefully crafted matcha sponge was culinary bliss that shoting me through the universe, prompting Usako-chan to say, [b: "This is so delicious, I could sail fly between the moon and the stars!" ] She was enthralled too (laugh). The cafe was equipped with both table and counter seating. It had a traditional Japanese home vibe, a clean interior, and a Japanese garden outside. Being run by a tea shop, numerous tea-related products lined the shelves, and Usako-chan also bought some green tea. I had no idea such a wonderful matcha cafe existed in Tomioka, and I felt that Usako-chan's discerning taste was truly commendable (laugh). Notably, the tea parfait she ordered is sometimes sold out, and she truly had a satisfied expression after finally having it. [b: "This place is truly irresistible for matcha dessert lovers! Do you think Mimi is starting to awaken to matcha?" ] I asked, [b: "Since eating this, maybe the Earthlings and aliens could finally understand each other?" ] She replied, [b: "At least we didn’t end in mutual doom, nor was there true activation of 'Ide'!" ] Having watched Ideon, Usako-chan provided a perfect score for my question (laugh). So, as a reward, I played [b: "Revival of E-pon"] endlessly in the car on the way back, and [b: "If you don’t change the song, I’ll slice you with the Ideon sword!" ] She threatened with something as terrifying as the [b: "Activation Edition"], concluding our visit to 'Cha Fe Chakichi' with an epic ending (laugh). Human beings cannot survive on spiciness alone; sometimes sweetness is just as necessary. It was truly delicious. It was a great meal.