Fully Booked fans have a new reason to linger at Power Plant Mall. The beloved bookstore just reopened its doors on Oct. 24, 2025, in partnership with Japan’s biggest bookseller, Kinokuniya. The refreshed space has now evolved into a collaboration that celebrates the best of two worlds: Fully Booked’s signature curated selection and Kinokuniya’s extensive collection of Japanese manga, literature, art books, and language titles.

As if that’s not enough to get excited about, adding to the charm is Wasachi, an independent matcha café from Tokyo making its Philippine debut. The result? A cozy, culture-rich nook where Japanese flavors meet literary escape.

Wasachi on Serving Happiness

Derived from the Japanese terms “Wa” (Japan) and “Sachi” (Happiness or Gem), Wasachi was established to share the happiness of authentic Japanese matcha to the world. Founded in 2024 by Takuma Yamanaka, the café is tucked away amidst the bustle of Tokyo’s Roppongi district and has since become one of the best spots for matcha in the city, even recognized by Chef Daniel Calvert of the 3-Michelin-starred restaurant Sezanne (No. 7 Best Restaurant in the World) as the best matcha latte in Tokyo.

“The beauty of Matcha is that anyone can taste the top quality,” Takuma Yamanaka told The Beat Manila during the exclusive press preview last Oct. 22. “What we would like to do is introduce happiness through the tastiness of this matcha. We truly believe in the quality of our matcha. It would be great if you could come and taste it.”

Apart from the intimate 10-seater café in Tokyo, Wasachi has grown to include two more locations around the world. The Kyoto flagship store is located in an up-and-coming art district, developed by the Kyoto council, and is just a short walk from TeamLab’s permanent exhibition. Takuma gave us an insider scoop that it may be opening sometime later this year.

As for what made him decide to set up Wasachi’s first international outpost in Manila, he answered, “It’s a hundred percent solely because I met with Jaime [Fully Booked’s Managing Director]. I feel so fortunate to have met him and so grateful for our partnership. I truly admire him as a person. He established his bookstore business from literally zero.”

Jaime Daez, who founded the beloved bookstore chain back in 2003, also shared how he was impressed by Wasachi the first time he encountered it through a friend’s recommendation.

“I wasn’t really an avid fan of matcha until I tasted Wasachi,” he said. “It completely changed my perception, and I knew I had to bring it home.”

Stepping into Wasachi feels like a serene pause in the middle of the city. The café embodies a distinctly Japanese aesthetic, with light wood furniture flowing from the tables and chairs to the long communal counters, softened by pale gray walls and gentle lighting. Minimalist yet welcoming, the space is bright and calming, with paper lanterns and potted plants adding quiet character. Located right beside the bookstore, Wasachi is the perfect spot to slow down, whether you’re catching up with a friend or savoring a moment alone with a freshly whisked cup of matcha after an afternoon of browsing books.

The café extends this minimalist concept to the menu, with their Takuma emphasizing that they want to highlight their Matcha as much as possible. There are five drinks on the menu: Matcha Latte(P280), Mango Matcha Latte (P320), Matcha Affogato (P280), Pure Matcha (P190), and Sencha (P220). All drinks are served in one size and can be ordered either hot or iced. You can also have the lattes made with either oat or regular dairy milk.

We got to try the Philippine-exclusive beverage, Mango Matcha Latte, which blends Wasachi’s smooth, premium matcha with the sweetness of the Philippine mango. This drink took us by surprise, not expecting the flavors to marry so well. The founder shared that the mangoes are locally sourced and highly recommends having the lattes made with oat milk for peak tastiness. Also, Wasachi’s matcha doesn’t have any bitter notes, which is perfect for those trying out the drink for the first time.

While Wasachi Japan has minimal offerings for snacks, which only include the three-piece Cookie Set in matcha, Houjicha, and Kurogama flavors (P250 or P90 sold by piece), the Philippine outpost has expanded its dessert menus with pastries, confections, and even a couple of savory dishes.

Some of the treats you can enjoy with your drink include the Matcha Mascarpone Tiramisu (P299) and the Pistachio Matcha Éclair (P199). Their cakes are also a must-try! Out of all the desserts we tried, the Chocolate & Matcha Mousse Cake (P395) easily stood out for its smooth, moist texture and balanced flavor. It’s not overly sweet, making it surprisingly easy to finish, and its unique taste offers a pleasant twist. At first bite, you might not even realize it’s chocolate!

The Matcha Cheesecake (P375) is also decadent at every bite, and the café also offers carrot and banana cake slices (P185) for those craving familiar flavors. For those looking for a quick bite, the Tomato and Whipped Feta Tartine (P375) and Avocado Toast with Lemon Zest (P235) are perfect for your afternoon merienda.

By the looks of their offerings and after trying their famed matcha drinks, it’s clear that Wasachi has put a lot of thought into their sourcing and rituals. Drinks are made right at the bar, allowing guest to witness their drinks being made up close. If we were to talk about ingredients, Wasachi specializes in single-origin, single-cultivar ceremonial grade matcha, focusing on cultivars such as Okumidori, Saemidori, Kanayamidori, and more. According to their website, their leaves are sourced directly from award-winning partner farms, including ones awarded as the No.1 Tea Farm in Japan by the Ministry of Agriculture. This is a testament to the level of craftsmanship behind their teas.

When asked how sustainability comes into play at their new outpost, Takuma replied, “We always prioritize our belief in terms of the branding or the taste. We never compromise our quality. We have a strong belief in the beauty of nature. Natural things are more beautiful, and I believe that human beings are more comfortable with natural things compared to artificial ones. That’s why we strongly believe in using wood, for example, for our tables and floors. Ideally, we want to have no fake plants, no plastic chairs, or even plastic straws. Our straws are made from biodegradable materials. Sustainability is not for show; it’s more of our core belief. It is very much correlated to our values.”

With its clean, cozy space and refreshing drinks, Wasachi is the kind of place that instantly puts you at ease. A cup of matcha and a few bites here can feel surprisingly restorative — perfect for a breather in between busy days. It’s all thanks to Takuma’s focus on making every visit a genuinely good experience.

“Customers will come here to spend their precious money and time. Our mission is to provide happiness and a good experience for them. We’re very confident in the quality of the drinks and the pastries. But the whole experience is made by the staff, the shop, or the cleanliness. We try to provide the whole package.”

As for what’s next for Wasachi, Takuma is gearing up for the opening of his Kyoto flagship store — and you heard it here first: a special matcha cookie collaboration with Tokyo’s acclaimed Sezanne is in the works. If all goes as planned, he hopes to bring the exclusive treat to Manila just in time for Christmas.

For updates, you can follow Wasachi Philippines on Instagram.

Location: Wasachi Cafe, Level R3, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Drive corner Estrella Street, Makati City (right next to the Fully Booked x Kinokuniya store)