In Yokohama’s Yamashita-cho, just removed from the bustle, sits Constellation., a bar that reveals a different face by day and by night. By day, it operates as a reservation-only sweets café bar serving afternoon tea. By night, it transforms into a members-only parfait bar, open only to a select few. With its dazzling array of beautifully crafted sweets and cocktails, a hidden escape for those in search of something elevated and more indulgent.
A Hidden Universe Beyond the Door
Beyond the entrance awaits “魔鏡 (Magic Mirror)”, a work by artist Kazuto Imura. Step inside, and it feels as though you are being pulled into the world within the mirror. A corridor, reminiscent of a spaceship’s interior, leads you onward to a mesmerizing space that feels like a bar on another planet. This carefully orchestrated journey, gently guiding you from the everyday into another realm, heightens the sense of immersion in the extraordinary.
1st image: Magic Mirror by Kazuto Imura
2nd image: A corridor resembling the interior of a spaceship
A Trunk Showcasing the Pastry Chef’s Craft
As striking as the interior may be, the true centerpiece is the afternoon tea, crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
Served to just one group per day in a private room, the trunk-style presentation evokes the beauty of a jewel box. Open the antique-style trunk, and inside, a seasonal story unfolds in carefully composed form.
Limited to one group per day: Trunk-Style Constellation. Cherry Coded Afternoon Tea — Red, Beyond Sweetness — (¥9,000)
For March and April, the theme is Cherry Coded, a series built around shades of red. The set features eight delicate sweets, including a mousse topped with butterfly-shaped tuile and a pistachio pudding layered with fresh strawberry, alongside four savory bites such as prosciutto and salmon rolls, as well as three baked confections and tea.
The afternoon tea theme changes every two months, with past concepts ranging from the black-toned Black Swan to the white-inspired Cristal Noël, each defined by its own color palette and narrative. The current Cherry Coded series will run through the end of April, before giving way to a new theme in May.
Constellation. Cherry Coded Afternoon Tea — Red, Beyond Sweetness — with Signature Dessert
Enjoyed at the counter, the signature shortcake–centered afternoon tea is another experience that engages all five senses. The moment the glass cloche is lifted, a plume of smoke spills out, revealing a deep crimson rose within. It’s a moment that naturally draws a quiet gasp of admiration. This rose, too, is crafted by the pastry chef, each petal delicately formed from chocolate.
In addition to the shortcake served in a glass, the set includes six sweets and three savory items shared with the trunk-style offering, along with two baked treats and tea.
While the visuals are undeniably captivating, the true essence lies within. The fruits used in the sweets are sometimes sourced directly by the pastry chef from carefully selected local farms, reflecting an unwavering commitment to both quality and flavor.
Sweets and Cocktails in Perfect Pairing
In most bars, cocktails take center stage. Here, however, they are crafted around the flavors of parfaits and sweets. Bartender Hara, a certified sommelier, creates highly original cocktails by incorporating innovative techniques that go beyond conventional recipes.
The seasonal cocktail for March, Noble Japonism, reimagines the brandy-based classic Alexander with the flavors of sakura mochi. Combining cherry blossom bean paste, house-made yomogi syrup, and fresh cream, the result is a beautifully composed drink finished with a touch of gold leaf. The use of anko in a cocktail is perhaps a uniquely fitting expression of a sweets bar.
March-Exclusive Seasonal Cocktail Inspired by Sakura: Noble Japonism
Each cocktail and dessert is striking on its own, but it is in their pairing that Constellation. reveals its true artistry.
April’s seasonal parfait, UNSILK, brings together lychee, white peach, and wood ear mushroom in an unexpected, oriental-inspired composition. Its pairing cocktail, Celery Garden, combines grapefruit with a house-made syrup infused with celery and cardamom. The way these aromatic elements move beyond their individual identities creates combinations that intrigue the senses and go far beyond expectation.
April-Exclusive Parfait and Cocktail
1st image: UNSILK
2nd image: Celery Garden
Despite its exclusivity, the atmosphere remains inviting. From across the counter, the pastry chef and bartender engage guests with an easy warmth, allowing you to settle in and unwind. The sweets, defined by a meticulous aesthetic, and the precisely composed cocktail pairings are remarkable in themselves, but it is the hospitality that makes them feel effortless that ultimately defines the true luxury of this space.
It’s an experience that will leave you wondering what kind of magic awaits in the next season?
As you watch the changing seasons unfold in your glass, your senses begin to open. It is a quietly indulgent moment that restores your energy for the days ahead. Whether for a special occasion or simply a night to indulge yourself, it’s a door well worth knocking on.
Constellation.
Address：2F Acty Yokohama Yamashita-cho, 73 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Hours：12:00–24:00 (Last order 23:00)
Open：Irregular schedule (including weekends and holidays)
Website：https://constellation.bar/
Instagram：
@sweetscafe.bar_constellation
@parfait_bar_constellation
◾️Membership
Applications are accepted periodically via Constellation.’s official social media, or can be completed in person during your visit.
