Accustomed as I am to a stoic mug of Brooke Bond in the morning, I admit having been less than overjoyed at the prospect of visiting the Yue He Cha herbal tea house in Kyodo, a bustling little town on the Odakyu Line.
Generally speaking, herbal tea is the beverage world's answer to tofu: You know you should because people from California say it's good for you -- but usually can't be bothered because it doesn't taste of anything.
Yue He Cha, located on Nodai Dori about 200 meters from the south exit of Kyodo Station, is a favorite chilling out spot for 30-year-old businesswoman Ayumi Nomura, my local guide for the day.